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Divest from Israeli and Palestinian businesses or support Israeli military

Tuesday April 30, 2002

To the Editor, 

I was present at the Berkeley City Council meeting as a Jewish person who supports divesting from Israel. Contrary to an implied sentiment that a resolution in favor of divestment is too divisive because it would take sides against Israel, I would claim that not divesting from Israel is taking sides in favor of Israel against the Palestinians. 

Israeli Exports amount to about $23 Billion a year in revenue for Israel. In addition, about $4.5 Billion a year of our tax dollars support Israel. By not divesting from Israel and by not asking our federal government to stop U.S. aid to Israel, our money is being used to fund the continued 35 year occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem although this occupation is illegal according the Geneva Conventions. By not divesting we also are saying to Israel that we support the building and maintenance of illegal settlements in the occupied territories. In addition, we are allowing our money to be used to purchase U.S. made weapons that are killing and injuring thousands of Palestinians. 

As citizens of the United States we should be sending a clear message to the federal government, the citizens of this country, and peoples of the world, that we will no longer take the side of Israel by funding their military which is the fourth largest military in the world. 

 

- Carla Schick 

Oakland