Jewish organizers in Atlanta call on Ossoff to support ceasefire

Protesters gathered outside Sen. Jon Ossoff’s Atlanta office Wednesday. They’re demanding the Democrat and state’s first Jewish senator join their calls for peace in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Around 50 people led by anti-Zionist group Jewish Voices for Peace called for a ceasefire in Gaza where over than 10,000 people are reported dead.

This is the group’s second Georgia protest since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that left 1,400 dead and more than 200 people kidnapped by Hamas. A previous event on Oct. 24 in downtown Atlanta drew a crowd of hundreds of people, including several pro-Israel counter-protesters. 

Jewish resident and activist Alison Glass said she campaigned for Ossoff, and expects more from him.

“We demand that, especially our progressive elected officials, that they have the courage also to stand up and speak out for what they know is right,” Glass said. “The continual killing and bombing of innocent civilians in Gaza has got to stop.”

Ossoff was not available to meet with organizers but has spoken out to condemn the actions of Hamas. Staff members working for his office say the senator has been meeting with Georgians regularly since the Oct. 7 attack.   

Atlanta residents Sig Giordano spoke at the protest about her disappointment with Ossoff and the U.S. government. She said as a descendant of Holocaust survivors she doesn’t want any violence done on behalf of Jewish people.

“It is disgusting to use the pain and the murder of my family members to murder other people who are my people too,” Giordano said. “Palestinians are our people. We're one people. And oppressed people should always stand together.”

On Wednesday, a group of 26 senators, including Ossoff, sent a letter to President Biden supporting military assistance in Israel, a two-state solution for Palestinians, and further humanitarian aid in Gaza.