SAN FRANCISCO, CA – CAIR Action today welcomed a historic decision by delegates at the California Democratic Party (CADEM) Convention in San Francisco to adopt new platform language in the Party’s World Peace & International Affairs plank that acknowledges the human rights of Palestinians, addresses the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, and affirms support for an independent Palestinian state.
The adopted language on February 22, 2026 includes eight significant provisions addressing the ongoing crisis in Gaza, calling for a permanent ceasefire, humanitarian relief and rebuilding efforts, accountability for violations of international law, restoration of funding for UNRWA, condemning settler violence in the West Bank (often with IDF assistance), and renewed diplomatic efforts toward a just and lasting resolution that recognizes Palestinian sovereignty and dignity.
“This moment represents an important step toward truth, accountability, and justice,” said Basim Elkarra, Executive Director of CAIR Action. “While these platform changes alone will not stop the devastating violence and humanitarian catastrophe facing Palestinians today, they signal that Democratic grassroots leaders are increasingly willing to acknowledge the reality on the ground and push our party toward policies rooted in human rights and international law.”
Delegates approved language that calls for diplomatic measures to prevent war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide; advocates for an immediate end to mass civilian casualties and displacement in Gaza; supports a full and permanent ceasefire recognized by all parties; and affirms the right of Palestinians to independence, sovereignty, and dignity.
The platform language also recognizes that Palestinians in Gaza must be able to rebuild without displacement and that Palestinians in the West Bank should live without the threat of settler violence or forced displacement caused by expanding settlements. It further calls for negotiations that lead to peace, security, and democratic self-determination for both Palestinians and Israelis.
Mirvette Judeh, Chair of the California Democratic Party Arab American Caucus and Co-Chair for California Democrats for Justice in Palestine, who was instrumental in advancing the language and negotiating the platform language, emphasized that achieving consensus on these provisions required sustained dialogue across differing perspectives within the party.
“Getting these eight paragraphs into the platform required difficult conversations and real collaboration,” said Judeh. “People with different perspectives came together in the name of humanity. This moment acknowledges the suffering of Palestinians and affirms their human rights, while laying the groundwork for greater unity in our party to pursue lasting peace and justice.”
Judeh also expressed gratitude to the platform committee, organizers, and party leaders who worked together to make the platform change possible.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this moment possible,” Judeh added. “Thank you to Andrew Lachman for working with me in good faith despite our differences, and to the many leaders and advocates who stood with us—including my team members Yoana Tchoukleva and David Mandel, California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks, the Platform Committee and its co-chairs Shanna Ingalsbee and Michael Soto, the Latino Caucus and Progressive Caucus Chairs that sponsored the language, and the delegates across our party who supported this effort. Together we showed that our party can stand for human rights and dignity for all.”
CAIR Action said the adoption of this language reflects growing momentum within Democratic grassroots leadership to align party values with international law, human rights, and a just and lasting peace.
“Moments like this remind us that progress is possible when people choose courage and conscience,” said Judeh. “This historic step reflects a growing recognition that lasting peace requires justice, dignity, and freedom for Palestinians as well as security for Israelis.”
Judeh said she will continue working with grassroots advocates, party leaders, and elected officials to translate these values into policy and to ensure that U.S. leadership reflects the principles of human rights, accountability, and peace.