As a potential 2026 candidate for Governor of Maryland, as a human being, and as a member of the Maryland Green Party, I am committed to peace, justice, and democracy for Palestinians and Israelis alike. I am deeply saddened by the violence, the occupation and the system of Israeli apartheid. I am angry at the United States federal government, and numerous state governments, for the direct and material enabling of Israeli regimes that continue to defy international law and make peace impossible.

After the October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel and the beginning of the latest wave of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) attacks on Gaza, the Green Party of the United States (GPUS) released a statement condemning the "targeted attacks on civilians", calling for an "immediate ceasefire" "self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians", "the right of return for Palestinian refugees, the dismantling of illegal settlements, and the establishment of a just and equitable society where all people have equal rights, and opportunity." My campaign stands firmly on these values and policy positions, rooted in our party platform.

The global nonviolent movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) to end Israeli occupation via illegal settlement of the West Bank has been part of the GPUS Platform since 2005. In 2017, amid a national push to punish that movement, Democrats and Republicans in the Maryland General Assembly tried, and failed, to pass anti-BDS legislation. The Green Party, among many others, opposed this effort. Republican Governor Hogan responded by signing an executive order prohibiting the state of Maryland from contracting with entities boycotting or supporting the boycott of Israel. Notably this includes those that refuse to interact with businesses incorporated in the illegally Occupied Palestinian Territories.

During the 2022 gubernatorial campaign, then-candidate Wes Moore announced that he would keep that executive order in place stating "I am affirmatively against the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. I will support the continuation of this executive order and I firmly believe that our laws should reflect our values." With his bipartisan commitment to Governor Hogan's executive order, Gov. Moore is chilling free speech, stigmatizing non-violent movements and threatening the livelihoods of people and organizations.

In giving unwavering and unconditional support to Israel, by maintaining near-silence on the plight of Palestinians and the disproportionality of the assault on Gaza and the West Bank, Gov. Moore is ignoring many of his constituents. Worse than that, by accepting Israel's claims to the Occupied Palestinian Territories and shutting down non-violent opposition he is governing in a way that ensures peace, justice and democracy are impossible.

Maryland needs a Governor whose work is rooted in peace, justice and democracy, not one who vigorously supports apartheid, war, occupation, and injustice.

Andy Ellis is a member of the Maryland Green Party and will be seeking their 2026 nomination for Maryland Governor.