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Some of America’s most progressive towns are declaring Israel an apartheid regime. Many Jewish Vermonters say the campaign has made their neighbors turn against them.
Vermont Friends Of Israel: Call to Protect the Safety and Well-Being of Vermont's Jewish Community
Vermont Friends Of Israel: Call to Protect the Safety and Well-Being of Vermont's Jewish Community
In December 2025, the Massachusetts Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism released its Final Report. This commission—the first of its kind in the nation—documented a disturbing and “normalized” rise in antisemitism across New England, including Vermont. We have included a summary of their findings, specifically focusing on the danger posed by local Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns and “Apartheid-Free Community” (AFC) pledges.
Vermont Friends of Israel AFC Opposition Statement
Vermont Friends of Israel AFC Opposition Statement
We oppose the Apartheid Free Community (AFC) pledge for its contribution to division, misinformation, and increased hostility within our communities. While it claims to stand against racism and oppression, in practice it has created an environment where Jewish individuals and institutions are unfairly targeted. Across Vermont, we have seen a rise in rhetoric and actions that marginalize Jewish voices under the guise of advocacy. The pledge lacks legal standing and promotes one-sided narratives that do not reflect the complexity of the Israel-Palestine issue. For these reasons, it is misleading, non-binding and harmful to community cohesion.
Vermont Community Dialogue Pledge by Allie Schacter, Burlington City Council Member
Vermont Community Dialogue Pledge by Allie Schacter, Burlington City Council Member
In the year Two Thousand Twenty-Six,
WHEREAS, the State of Vermont includes a wide diversity of residents who come from many different backgrounds, religions, ethnic heritages, and regions across the United States and the world; and
WHEREAS, Vermont seeks to support all residents and ensure that everyone feels safe and secure within our communities; and
WHEREAS, Israelis and Palestinians alike are entitled to live in safety, with dignity, freedom, equality, self-determination, and the opportunity to thrive; and
Vermont teacher and longtime resident, Larry Kaplan, raises concerns about bringing the Israel–Gaza conflict into local town meeting ballots. Pointing to other global atrocities that have not been addressed at the local level, he questions why this issue is being singled out and whether town meeting is the right forum.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am writing to clarify the Board's action related to the Apartheid Free Communities pledge.
Yesterday afternoon, at its monthly meeting, the Board voted on a request from our Palestinian Solidarity and other Justice teams asking the Board of Trustees to "vote to sign on to the Apartheid Free Communities pledge and commit our society to take steps aligned with this action."
The Selectboard turned down an advisory article to adopt a voter-approved anti-apartheid pledge with regard to Israel and Palestine Monday, citing procedural concerns.
The article passed, 59-35, following an hour and a half debate at the end of Town Meeting on May 12.
With the 71 voters in attendance at Saturday’s Annual Town Meeting expressing varying viewpoints, a citizen’s petition article to declare Wendell to be an apartheid-free community was defeated in a 13-40 vote.
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