NORTH CAROLINA — Members of the North Carolina Democratic Party State Executive Committee defeated the "Genocide Accountability Resolution" by a vote of 163-130.

The resolution advanced through precinct, county, and district bodies before reaching the committee for a final vote. The resolution cited a September United Nations Commission of Inquiry conclusion that Israel committed genocide in Gaza. The resolution proposed adding language to the state party platform calling for the prosecution and vetting of individuals and entities in the U.S. accused of participating in or enabling genocide.

Leaders of the Jewish Caucus sent a letter to committee members on May 27, urging the resolution's rejection. The letter argued that state parties should not adopt contested international policy positions and stated that the resolution's timing could negatively impact 2026 Democratic candidates. Amy DeLoach, first vice chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party Jewish Caucus, said a faction within the party wanted justice for all people equally. "Most Jews vote Democratically, and we were feeling abandoned, and now we feel like we have a home again," DeLoach said.

Leaders of the Muslim, Arab, interfaith, and progressive caucuses issued a letter urging the committee to adopt the resolution. This letter stated that the resolution would affirm the party's commitment to human rights. Mark Bochkis, communications chair of the Jewish Democrats, a subgroup within the Interfaith Caucus, stated that not speaking out on such matters could hinder the party. "We believe not speaking out on something like this is actually holding the party back," Bochkis said.

Paul McAllister, chair of the Interfaith Caucus, commented on the resolution's accountability demands. "We don't want to see anything happen to any member of any community, Jewish or otherwise, but we do want accountability," McAllister said. He stated that the prosecution language in the resolution could have been clarified, but he argued a substitute resolution weakened accountability demands. The letter proposed a substitute resolution affirming commitment to ending civilian suffering in Gaza, supporting humanitarian aid, and opposing antisemitism, Islamophobia, and political violence. "My major concern is that we have a faction within the party that wants justice for all people equally, Jews and Palestinians, and that there's some in the party, namely members of the Jewish caucus, who do not comprehend how critical it is that we not only look after our own interest or our own group's interest, but the interest of others, and this is the struggle," McAllister said.

DeLoach also commented on the timing of the vote, which was scheduled on a Saturday. "Most Democrats in North Carolina really are more concerned about their electric bill right now, and the cost of food," DeLoach said.