Jewish Students Circulate Letter of Support as Labor Union Prepares for Vote on BDS

More

labor for palestineThis Thursday, members of UAW 2865, the union that represents 13,000 graduate student instructors, readers and tutors at the nine undergraduate teaching campuses of the statewide University of California system, will vote on whether to endorse joining the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement as a labor union. This is the first election of its kind on BDS by a labor union in the United States.
Plans for the election were made this summer, when the statewide Joint Council of UAW 2865 became the first such union body in the United States to endorse the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Rather than simply take a position as the elected union leadership, however, the Joint Council decided to put the issue to a vote of the full membership. The original resolution passed by the Joint Council can be found here. At their October meeting, the Joint Council passed further resolutions clarifying their positions on BDS, including a statement on why they view BDS as a labor movement issue, an FAQ on BDS, and a fact sheet on the academic boycott.
In response to the original July resolution calling for a full membership vote on BDS, nearly fifty current and former Jewish members and officers of the union signed on to an open letter in support of the resolution, expressing our solidarity with Palestinian people and people everywhere struggling against Israeli injustice. The letter reflects our belief that we have a responsibility as Jews and as trade unionists to support the struggles of oppressed people around the world.

Open Letter from Jewish Officers and Members in Support of Divestment
As Jewish officers and members, both current and former, of UAW 2865, the UC Student-Workers Union, we are writing to express our support for the recent divestment resolution passed by our local union’s Joint Council.
solidarity
An injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere and none of us is free until all of us are free. As Jews, we understand from our own experiences with discrimination and our own history of resistance to oppression that standing on the right side of history necessitates standing in solidarity with Palestinians. For that reason, we are proud to be counted among the growing number of Jews and trade unionists around the the world who refuse to turn a blind eye to this issue.
We are speaking out today against our government, employer and national labor union’s complicity in Israel’s actions through military aid and investment in corporations that profit from the occupation. Additionally, we are encouraging our fellow members to support the academic and cultural boycott in order to take a stand for Palestinian academics and cultural workers suffering under the apartheid system. Students and workers at the University of California participated vigorously in the global campaign to divest from South African apartheid in the 1980s, and we seek to build upon that legacy and its tactics.
As Jews, we feel an urgent need at the present moment to say “Not in our name” as Palestinian civilian deaths climb past 1000 and Israel commits human rights violations with impunity. And as trade unionists, we feel an obligation to express our solidarity with Palestinians living under a system of legal apartheid, as well as our solidarity with Israelis and people around the world who stand in opposition to this system.
solidarity
We affirm our right and responsibility as Jews to oppose the State of Israel’s actions and policies that we believe to be unjust. Additionally, we affirm our belief that Israel’s current siege of Gaza does not make Jews safer in Israel or around the world. We hope that honest critique will lead to positive change.
Therefore, we urge all members to support the call for our employer, the University of California, and our national union, the United Auto Workers, to divest from corporations that benefit from Israeli occupation; for our government to end military aid to Israel; and for our members to support the academic and cultural boycott. A statewide membership vote will be held on this issue in the coming months.
Sincerely,
Heather Berg, Member, Feminist Studies, UCSB
Michael Berman, Member, Anthropology, UCSD
Josh Brahinsky, Former Campus Recording Secretary (Joint Council), History of Consciousness, UCSC
Robert Cavooris, Campus Recording Secretary (Joint Council), History of Consciousness, UCSC
Mandy Cohen, Former Statewide Recording Secretary (Executive Board), Comparative Literature/Yiddish, UCB
Abigail Collins, Member, Art, UCLA
Barry Eidlin, Former Berkeley Head Steward (Joint Council) and current post-doctoral fellow at Rutgers
Kareem Elzein, Education and Information Studies, UCLA
Lisa Feldstein, Member, City and Regional Planning, UCB
Katy Fox-Hodess, Statewide Guide (Executive Board), Sociology, UCB
Eli Friedman, Former Berkeley member and current Professor of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University
William Girard, Former Member, Anthropology alum, UCSC
Evan Grupsmith, Former Head Steward, History, UCSC
Mariel Gruszko, Member, Anthropology, UCI
Jessie Halpern-Finnerty, Member, Geography, UCD
Christoph Hanssmann, Member, Sociology, UCSF
Amanda Jenkins, Former Member, History alum, UCSC
Hannah Kagan-Moore, Member, Art History, UCD
Sarah Kessler, Member, Comparative Literature, UCI
Jonathan Koch, Member, Music, UCLA
Seth Leibson, Head Steward (Joint Council), Sociology, UCB
Rachel Lesser, Former Head Steward (Joint Council), Classics, UCB
Zachary Levenson, Former Head Steward (Joint Council), Sociology, UCB
Mike Levien, Former member and current Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins
Susie Levy, Member, Public Health, UCB
Roi Livne, Member, Sociology, UCB
Larisa Mann, Former Head Steward (Joint Council), Law and Jurisprudence, UCB
Ramsey McGlazer, Member, Comparative Literature, UCB
Robbie Nelson, Campus Recording Secretary (Joint Council), History, UCB
Kurt Newman, Member, History, UCSB
Dustianne North, Former Member, M.S.W. and Ph.D., School of Social Welfare, UCLA
Micha Rahder, Former Member, Anthropology alum, UCSC; currently Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Louisiana State University
Manuel Rosaldo, Former Head Steward (Joint Council), Sociology, UCB
Jocelyn Saidenberg, Member, Comparative Literature, UCB
Rebecca Schein, Former member, History of Consciousness alum, UCSC; currently Assistant Professor at the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies at Carleton University.
Emily Schneider, Member, Sociology, UCSB
Benjamin Schultz-Figueroa, Member, Film and Digital Media, UCSC
Clara Sherley-Appel, Member, Linguistics, UCSC
Emma Silverman, Head Steward (Joint Council), Art History, UCB
Sara Smith, Former Northern Vice President (Executive Board), History Alum, UCSC
Tamara Lea Spira, Former Member, History of Consciousness and Feminist Studies alumna, UCSC
Noah Tamarkin, Former Member, Anthropology alum, UCSC
Rebecca Tarlau, Former Head Steward (Joint Council), Education, UCB
Alisun Thompson, Member, Education, Lecturer and Post-doctoral Researcher, UCSC
Maayan Tsadka, Member, Music, UCSC
Megan Wachspress, Former Campus Recording Secretary (Joint Council), Law and Jurisprudence, UCB
Eran Zelnik, Former Head Steward (Joint Council), History, UCD
 

34 thoughts on “Jewish Students Circulate Letter of Support as Labor Union Prepares for Vote on BDS

  1. Never mind facts abut the conflict. Never mind an even hand approach. And never mind Israeli concerns for security if forces try withdraw without a real peace agreement. When you can literally see the possible border from the top of a Tel Aviv building after withdraw form the West bank, tell us what kind of neighbor you desire.
    Free Tibet!

  2. This letter fails to state two important points — (a) that BDS seeks an unlimited right of return that would necessarily end Israel’s existence as Jewish state, and (b) that BDS seeks to cause economic harm to Israeli Jews in order to achieve that goal.
    The signers of this letter are trying to Jew-wash their hatred of Israel. Shame on them.

  3. Given the policies of the current Israeli government, it is hard not to want to respond in some punishing, if essentially, symbolic way. If the BDS movement made a serious effort to acknowledge and confront the antisemitism that is _part_ of its core-along with its legitimate grievances–I would be far more likely to join. As it stands, however, the movement is about as trustworthy, and has about as much integrity, as the regime it (and I) oppose. Thus, I support not to support the hatefulness of either.

  4. The concerns about anti-Semitism expressed here both suprise me and don’t surprise me. Anti-Semitism continues to abound–after all, everyone who signed onto this letter is Jewish and has experienced it in their lives at some time, and i do see unfortunate instances of anti-Semitic sentiments in BDS debates here and there. There is a very delicate line that exists between legitimate criticism of the anti-humanitarian policies and actions of a regime and hatred of a people who have a history of being persecuted but are now in a position of power and domination over another people. But it is a line we MUST continue to walk and to consider carefully. What does surprise me is that those concerned about anti-Semitism can think that supporting an imperialist, discriminatory, and genocidal regime will EVER help us as a Jewish people. I stand up against such policies and acts of the state of Israel, just like i stand against my own government for its treatment of minorities and poor people. This hardly means i am anti-Americans, anti-Israelis, or anti-Jew. If a real and healthy debate is what is desired here, and not just knee-jerk “you’re a hater” trolling, can people say what it is about this letter and/or the BDS movement they find hateful, so we can deconstruct the pieces and find understanding? I will stand strong with those fighting against anti-Semitism inside and outside BDS as much as i stand against hatred against Palestinians in Israel. But i will not sacrifice the lives and dignities of innocent Palestinians in the name of protecting the Jewish people.

    • So, I really don’t get it. You claim too be a fair critic of israel polices yet you use the word “genocide”. I really wonder. Genocidal regime, really? Please define genocide, Also do you really understand the intent of BDS? BDS aims to outright replace the only Jewish state in the world with an Islamic Palestinian state. Yes, look at the call for the right of return. There were 2 instances of civilians feeling, Arabs from what became israel and Jews form Arab counties. Look at challenges to land policies within the pre 67 borders
      http://www.bdsmovement.net
      You really want to make a difference, I mean really? Consider this. Play an even hand for both sides. There are 2 sides to a peace process. Under the current circumstances, it is not safe for Israel just to pack up an leave the West Bank. Look at what became of Gaza the moment the withdraw was complete. Placing blame and pressure on one side is wrong and only emboldens the likes of Hamas to keep the pressure on that will result in the disappearance of Israel. rather than parrot a narrative that perpetuates myths, think for yourself. It’s not hard.

      • Genocide is remarkably easy to define since it’s a crime under international law, with statutes and conventions providing precise definitions. According to Article 6 of the Rome Statute, “‘genocide’ means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such”: [with my comments in brackets]
        (a) Killing members of the group; [periodic slaughters of Gazans described as “mowing the lawn,” the Dahiya Doctrine that codifies attacks on civilians in Israeli military strategy]
        (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; [In Israel itself, there are over 50 laws discriminating against Palestinians: http://adalah.org/eng/Israeli-Discriminatory-Law-Database, the presence of settlements on Palestinian territory (a war crime under the Geneva Conventions)]
        (c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; [a starvation plan “to put the Palestinians on a diet, but not to make them die of hunger” according to Dov Weisglass, the wider collective punishment of the occupied territories (another war crime), the bulldozing of farms that provide a livelihood for countless Palestinians, checkpoints that destroy the fabric of Palestinian communities]
        (d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; [Countless Palestinian women have died during childbirth/miscarried at checkpoints, a visa system divides West Bank, Gaza, and Israeli Palestinians]
        (e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group. [Israel has long abducted children from their homes, arrested, tortured, and held them in solitary confinement (which is a form of torture), according to Defence for Children International, B’Tselem, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty.]

    • I would add, that those who claim BDS is in its entirety is antisemetic they are incorrect. There may be some anti-Israel aspects to it but not Jew Hatred. If Israel settles with the Palestinians, this version of antisemitism goes away.

      • “If Israel settles with the Palestinians, this version of antisemitism goes away.”
        What if the Palestinians do nt want to settle for just state adjacent to Israel? What if they want the pie
        Is there a BDS movement focused o Chin for their occupation of Tibet?.

  5. http://www.thenation.com/article/181858/israel-guilty-genocide-its-assault-gaza
    http://www.vice.com/read/israels-war-on-gaza-is-it-genocide-813
    as per above, how close Israel has come or will come to full on “genocide” can be debated and i don’t really have a strong stand on that. but i hope we can agree that no state should ever even come close to such a horror. The fact that there is legitimate reason to raise the question of genocide, for me, is reason enough to deeply oppose what is happening there.
    also, i don’t think it’s right to look at the Israeli regime and the Palestinian community as “two sides”. that would imply 2 entities of equal power and thus ignores the major power imbalance going on there. mass killings of poor and oppressed people, based upon their ethnicity, cannot be rightfully defended. if the only way for Israel to maintain its identity and security is through the destruction of another people, in part or in whole, then i do not support Israel. but the truth is i don’t believe that its necessary.
    finally, Jack, your arguments are stronger when you avoid unnecessary accusations that people you’ve never met but happen to disagree with you don’t know how to think for themselves. i do not claim to be the most knowledgeable person out there about happenings in Israel. but i learning and i read a lot of different perspectives on it, and i am certainly an educated woman who doesn’t let anyone, including you, tell me how i should think.
    finally, maybe i’m misunderstanding something, but if people believe that right of full return means replacing the Jewish state with a Palestinian one, doesn’t that mean that it is Jews who are unwilling to live peacefully and equally alongside Palestinians? does right of full return mean Jews must leave? or just that they would want to, or what? or is it that Jews just won’t feel it’s a “Jewish state” if Palestinians are allowed full rights and priveleges of citizens there, even though their ancestors have lived there for centuries (an inherently racist attitude IMO)? These are real questions i am asking, not rhetoric- i welcome substantive answers especially if they can avoid disrespectful attacks and actually help me understand why people think this is the case.

    • “as per above, how close Israel has come or will come to full on “genocide” can be debated and i don’t really have a strong stand on that. but i hope we can agree that no state should ever even come close to such a horror. The fact that there is legitimate reason to raise the question of genocide, for me, is reason enough to deeply oppose what is happening there”.
      – Today, apparently, and a sad threshold was crossed in Syria. 200,000 have been killed side he war started . Yeah, 200,000 in a country that has been ruled by a brutal dictatorship for decades. 200,000 killed, some with gas. I am sure your obsession with Israel’s alleged genocide has blinded you to that.What, it does not pul at your heart strings? Or is it only selective outrage your feel? You know, Palestinian lives lost at the hands of Israel one 60 + years has not even come close, not by a long shot.
      – It is a 2 sided conflict over a piece of real estate. Hamas and previously the PLO used unconventional and drifty war fare specifically directed at civilians. The Palestinian Authority walked away form a peace deal in 2000
      -The right of return is a demographic nightmare and will only press the conflict on for decades more.
      – The Gaza war was nothing close to genocidal. It ha sheen well documented that Hamas INTENTIONALLY used civil as as human shields. When I say documented, I mean, the source of the rocket fire can be traced. Oh in the war, it is that easy. Then there were tunnels were dug into Israel, right top to schools and day care centers. is that an organization looking for peace. Do you see any evidence Hamas desires anything other that Israel’s disappearance.
      Cut me a break. I she been around the conflict a long time, I east your arguments for breakfast. Once you realize there are 2 sides to a conflict, you might have some understanding of the conflict.

      • Not sure what the atrocities in Syria have to do with this discussion but yes of course i am outraged by it, there are many genocides and atrocities around the world and i oppose all of them. you shouldn’t assume you know anything about someone you’ve never met. nice deflection tactic though, way to take focus off the point. overall, you offer little other than hostility, disrespect, assumption, and dominating comments that only undercut the idea that can show reason or human compassion. no wonder you defend the illegal and inhumane actions of Israel, i’m guessing they suit you just fine. If this is an example of the “even-handedness” you advocate (i wouldn’t know because you have offered nothing substantive by way of suggestion of a way forward that is even-handed and does not involve the oppression, displacement, and abuse of brown people), then you can keep it as far as i am concerned. i’ll not reply any further to you- your arguments do nothing to convince me of anything other than your aggression, and clearly you have no interest in hearing any perspective i might share. your answer to my real question about why people feel a call for full right of return means replacing a Jewish state with a Palestinian one falls sorely short of anything with substance, and doesn’t even match your original claim. so i see no point in further engagement.

        • What do you think Syria has to do with Israel. It shows genocide vs a war that resulted in casualties as a result of the use of human shields. It also show how disproportionately Israel gets attention from “human rights groups” as opposed to other countries committing far worse crimes. What really is clear to me, is that you choose to keep for focus on a country that is only guilty of defending itself.No, Israel is not an angelic regime, but in light of what is happening in the region, concessions at the moment would represent an existential threat.
          You can continue for hate, I will continue my advocacy for a just peace for both sides that does not endanger the existence of one of them.
          Just a reminder 200,000 have dies in Israel [personal attack removed]

    • I agree with your thoughts and sentiments.furthermore:
      Disagreement with the Israeli government is not Anti-Semitism.
      Zionism is not Judaism, only one strand, or in some cases just a secular
      political movement.
      Some comments here are diversionary.
      The current State of Israel was/is built on the expulsion of the original
      Mandate of Palestine Arab population, both Muslim and Christian, particularly
      between 11/1947 to 5/1948. What result was expected from the removal of
      half of a population of 1,500,000 from their land and homes at that time?
      It could be said, given the actions at that time by the military (Haganah/Palmach) and terrorist (Irgun/Lehi) organizations associated with the Israeli pre-state, that the State of Israel could be described as a successful
      terrorist State.

      • Wow! Where did you come up with that number? A few things you might want to know before spreading myths.1. Zionism is like any other national movement. 2. In 2011 President Abbas acknowledged that the Palestinians and Arab world made a mistake by wanting the whole or mandated Palestine instead of accepting the 1947 partition plan. 3. Expulsion? Israel within the 1967 lines is 20% Arab. They have fill rights as citizens unlike Arabs being slaughtered in neighboring countries. Your narrative is soiled with myths.

        • 1) Zionism is a toxic mix of political and religious mythologies. It is not a typical national movement.
          2) The 1947 partition plan was dead in the water since it deprived the majority of the historical Mandate of Palestine population of their existing arable land and water. Thus the Arab Palestinian non-acceptance.
          3) Between 11/1947 and 05/1948, half of the Palestinian Mandate Arab population of 1,500,000 were by force, threat of force or murder were removed from their homes and lands by the military of the pre-state of Israel (Haganah and Palmach), and terrorist organizations (Irgun and Lehi) acting in cooperation with the pre-state of Israel. Not only is 1967 a different issue, it is not true that Arab citizens of Israel have in practice equal rights with Jewish citizens.
          4)The issue is not the conduct of neighboring Arab states towards their citizens, it is the past and present conduct of Israel and of Israel towards the occupied territories and the illegal seizure and colonization of those occupied territories.

          • It never really surprises me how ill informed a BDS parrot is. yet thee are claims ta BDS is not anti Semitic.

          • The last refuge of support for current policies of the State of Israel is charging “Anti-Semitism”
            Humans often become what they hate.- thus the current policies of the State of Israel.
            Painful and tragic to watch.

          • “1) Zionism is a toxic mix of political and religious mythologies. It is not a typical national movement.”
            A quote such as this make accusations of Semitism easy. You don’t really seem to understand the diversity of the movement not its history. Te quite makes it loud and clear.
            “4)The issue is not the conduct of neighboring Arab states towards their citizens, it is the past and present conduct of Israel and of Israel towards the occupied territories and the illegal seizure and colonization of those occupied territories.”
            Really? What percentage of the population of current Arab countries is Jewish ZERO. Why? They fled for they lives, all of them. Now look at what they are doing to each other. Is that what peace wil look like? Will you have to live with it?

          • Jack:
            The point is the State of Israel was imposed on an Arab population in Palestine that didn’t want it or accept it.
            It was imposed by British Imperialism, and is now enabled and protected by the US.

          • Wrong again. The British handed the Palestine issue over to the UN. If anything, British prevented Jewish immigration with their White Paper in 1939. The UN voted on partition and it was not the 1st time it was proposed. Juts a quick question, prior o 1917 was there a physical entity known as Palestine. What became British Mandated Palestine had been borderless part of the Ottoman Empire. Much of the land was owned by absentee landlords. I real thin you need to do some reading rather them parroting a narrative.

  6. All you need to know about Israel re: its racism as a state is that it demolishes the homes of Palestinian people whose family members engage in terrorism. Can you imagine Israel demolishing the home of the family of the right-wing Jew who killed Rabin? Israel treats Jews differently from non-Jewish Israeli citizens.
    And the commenter who said that the Palestinian population threatens the existence of Israel as a Jewish state is basically saying that Jews’ votes should count more than Gentiles’ votes. Real democratic, that.

      • Call it mythical all you want, but you haven’t refuted what I actually said. The Israeli government bulldozed the homes of the families of Palestinian men who were accused of and/or positively identified as having attacked Jews in Jerusalem. It’s called collective punishment, and it’s illegal under international law. But Israel doesn’t care about international law. If it did, it wouldn’t still be holding on to land it seized in 1967.
        And there are tons of articles about the “demographic crisis” in Israeli newspapers. Jewish Israelis know that unless they start having more babies, Israel will cease to be a Jewish state in 50 years, whether or not the current right-wing government continues to govern or not.

        • You mean convicted, not accused.
          luc:
          “But Israel doesn’t care about international law. If it did, it wouldn’t still be holding on to land it seized in 1967.”
          I have a few questions for you
          1. Who controlled the West Bank and East Jerusalem prior to 1967? Hint: it was annexed in 1952
          2. Prior to 1948, was Jerusalem ever a divided city?
          3. Who was expelled from E. Jerusalem and neighboring Arab countries in 1948 and after?

          • Wow, the Israeli courts must work really fast, considering the homes were bulldozed within a month of the attacks. In any case, I don’t deny that Palestinian terrorists carried out reprehensible and murderous attacks against Israeli Jews. All I’m pointing out is that Israel treats Jews differently from how it treats Arabs. You haven’t disputed my account of the bulldozing, which means you know that I’m right.
            To answer your questions:
            1. Not the State of Israel. Israel claimed the West Bank as the spoils of war in 1967. That’s against international law that was the letter of the world before 1967. As the years have gone on, Israel and entrenched itself ever more in the land it stole. It has created facts on the ground that will be unassailable once it finally does give up control of the West Bank. Contrary to all the hysteria that circulates in the US, Israel has greatly benefited from the status quo for going on 50 years. Yes, Israelis have been murdered in terrorist attacks, but in general Israeli society is safe, secure, and prosperous. The Palestinians haven’t fared so well, mainly because everyone has abandoned them (including other Arab states in the region).
            2. I don’t know. Prior to 1946, when was the last time Israel existed as a country? 70 CE? I’ll just never understand why European, Christian anti-Semitism gave Jews all over the world the right to occupy a land they hadn’t lived in in almost 2,000 years. And they ethnically cleansed the land in order to “live in peace.” There had been Jews living throughout the Middle East for all that time, but they weren’t a majority, not until Europe punted and gave away someone else’s land as recompense for Hitler’s atrocities.
            3. Jews. And who was expelled from their own land in 1948? Arabs. The problem with your argumentation is that Israel is a political and militarily dominant state. It is now a colonizer. As such, it has a greater responsibility to act justly than does a non-state with almost no functioning government.

  7. “1. Not the State of Israel. Israel claimed the West Bank as the spoils of war in 1967. That’s against international law that was the letter of the world before 1967. As the years have gone on, Israel and entrenched itself ever more in the land it stole. It has created facts on the ground that will be unassailable once it finally does give up control of the West Bank. Contrary to all the hysteria that circulates in the US, Israel has greatly benefited from the status quo for going on 50 years. Yes, Israelis have been murdered in terrorist attacks, but in general Israeli society is safe, secure, and prosperous. The Palestinians haven’t fared so well, mainly because everyone has abandoned them (including other Arab states in the region).”
    But who controlled the West bank prior to 1967. Cat got your tongue?
    “2. I don’t know. Prior to 1946, when was the last time Israel existed as a country? 70 CE? I’ll just never understand why European, Christian anti-Semitism gave Jews all over the world the right to occupy a land they hadn’t lived in in almost 2,000 years. And they ethnically cleansed the land in order to “live in peace.” There had been Jews living throughout the Middle East for all that time, but they weren’t a majority, not until Europe punted and gave away someone else’s land as recompense for Hitler’s atrocities.”
    Um.. Jews have always had presence in what became Israel. The tie never was NEVERR broken. Many of those so called Palestinians had intact migrated to British mandated Palestine as the economy started after 1917
    “3. Jews. And who was expelled from their own land in 1948? Arabs. The problem with your argumentation is that Israel is a political and militarily dominant state. It is now a colonizer. As such, it has a greater responsibility to act justly than does a non-state with almost no functioning government.”
    Arabs get a pass from acting justly. You mean they get a pass for hundreds of thousands of people kiled under their control? Ho hum, buddy

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *