Vermont senator calls for ‘indefinite’ cease-fire days after students shot

Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) called for an “indefinite” cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, just days after three Palestinian students were shot in the state’s most populous city and as the end to the temporary pause in fighting draws near.

“The impact of the conflict in the Middle East has reverberated across the world, and we’ve seen the effects here at home in the form of Islamophobia and antisemitism,” Welch said in a statement Tuesday.

“In Chicago, a six-year-old Muslim boy was murdered by his landlord. Antisemitism has spiked across college campuses. And this weekend in my home state of Vermont, three Palestinian-American students were senselessly shot by a stranger as they walked to a family gathering,” his statement said. “This cycle of fear, intimidation, and violence must end.”

Three Palestinian men were shot in Burlington, Vt., on Saturday night in an unprovoked attack, the city’s mayor Miro Weinberger announced. The shooter pleaded not guilty to attempted murder. The students did not know the shooter, and the investigation is ongoing.

Welch previously warned that a ground invasion by Israeli forces into Gaza would be catastrophic for Palestinians in Gaza and would “jeopardize urgent efforts to save hostages.”

Israel and Hamas reached a temporary cease-fire to exchange hostages and prisoners that have been facilitated over the past several days. It is expected to continue until Thursday, but Welch argues it should be indefinite.

“So far, the ceasefire has been largely successful. Thanks to the active engagement of Qatar and Egypt, and the personal involvement of President Biden and the Netanyahu government, hostages have been released and the killing has stopped,” his statement said. “But the ceasefire is scheduled to expire this week. That would be a grave mistake.”

The Vermont senator said he supports Israel’s right to defend itself against the Oct. 7 surprise attacks, but the country should “not do so in a way that leads to massive civilian casualties.” The continued bombardment on Gaza would cause Israel and the United States to gain more enemies, he argued.

The cease-fire must continue so more hostages are released, Welch said in his statement.

“The ceasefire must be extended first and foremost to stop the bombing and prevent further loss of civilian life,” Welch’s statement said. “The United States cannot condone a resumption of the bombing when it causes death and injury to so many civilians.”