letters

Hateful resolution

Early this morning, March 18, the ASUC student governing body voted to have U.C. divest its portfolio of assets and stocks of companies which do business with Israel (“Divest-from-Israel vote at U.C. Berkeley draws swift reaction,” page 3). By a vote of 16-4, the student government of U.C. Berkeley voted to divest from Israel. It will no doubt inspire anti-Zionists to replicate this at other universities throughout the U.S.

Hatem Bazian, who once infamously called for an intifada in America, was to have a press conference at Cal later on March 18.

This shameful and hateful resolution should be condemned by all Jewish organizations and institutions.

Next the students will want to get rid of Jewish faculty, just like in Germany in the ’30s.

Sanne DeWitt   |   Berkeley

Enemies among us

As an alumnus of the U.C. system, I was dismayed and disgusted by the one-sided bill passed recently by the ASUC Student Senate, which is a not-so-thinly-veiled continuation of the policies Israel’s enemies use to delegitimize Israel in the public sphere.

Leaving aside the obvious inequities of the measure, which unfairly targets Israel with specious claims of war crimes and the acknowledgement that the ASUC Student Senate cannot adjudicate on international matters, the statement does just that.  The bill claims to “not be taking sides,” but how much more one-sided could a bill be that unfairly and unilaterally places blame on Israel and acts as judge, jury and executioner in the public arena?

This was not a good day for enlightened discussion and thoughtful discourse of the complex issues of peace and security that befit an institution like Berkeley and the U.C. system.  The ASUC should be ashamed of itself and so should those who  believe that participating in boycotts, divestment and sanctions is the way to bring about lasting and just peace in the Middle East.

Our community deserves better and so does the U.C. system.

Steve Lipman   |   Foster City

A great mentor

I want to thank Dan Pine for his excellent profile of Naomi Lauter (“A labor of love,” March 12).

Dan’s article is only missing one thing — a quote from any one of the hundreds of young AIPAC staff Naomi has mentored across the country. I spent 10 years with AIPAC in the Pacific Northwest region, and can name no individual more influential to my then and future career than Naomi. Her dedication to Israel, political acumen, passion for our people, and wonderful heart and humor inspired generations of activists, and I am privileged to be among them.

Dani Fisher   |   Minneapolis, MN

Presbyterians not ‘anti-Israel’

I read your article “Jews up in arms over Presbyterian report, conference” (March 19). You reported that the “ADL claimed the report legitimizes doubts about Israel’s right to exist.”

Here is a quote from the actual report found in Letter to Our American Jewish Friends: “We support Israel’s existence as granted by the U.N. General Assembly. We support Israel’s existence as home for the Jewish people. We have said this before, and we say this again. We say it because we believe it; we say it because we want it to continue to be true.”

I would hope that even as we Presbyterians listen and attend to fears and dangers of anti-Semitism with its historical roots in Christianity, a growing number of American Jews would be able to distinguish any criticism of Israeli policy from the label “anti-Israel” or “anti-Semitic.” Even if you want to note sections that cause concern, omissions of our ongoing efforts and support for Israel will only help to alienate friends.

Rev. Max Lynn   |   Berkeley

Full story on Campbell

The recent AP article in the j. (“Campbell regrets contacts linked to terror groups,” March 19) about Tom Campbell’s contacts with terrorists only tells part of the story as to why he is widely regarded as the most anti-Israel member of Congress in a generation.

For example, in the history of all of the Congresses since creation of the State of Israel only four members of Congress have ever attempted to either cut or reduce foreign aid to Israel — Campbell did it twice!

In 1997, Campbell introduced and lent his name to the “Campbell Amendment” to cut foreign aid to Israel. It failed 9-32 in committee.

In 1999, Campbell again introduced and lent his name to the “Campbell Amendment” to cut foreign aid to Israel. It failed on the house floor 13-413.

In addition he was a consistent opponent of the foreign aid bill especially during the later years of his service.

Finally, Tom Campbell endorsed the work of Allison Weir, who leads an anti-Israel organization called “If Americans Knew” (http://www.ifamericansknew.org). This organization calls on the U.S. to cut financial and diplomatic support to Israel.

This is in striking contrast to the strong pro-Israel position of his principal opponent in the Republican primary, Carly Fiorina.

Larry Goldberg   |   Tiburon

Obama is right on settlement issue

Those of us who truly care about Israel know that President Barack Obama is right to confront Israel over its approval of a new settlement construction plan in east Jerusalem. Settlement expansion undermines the prospects of peace, and puts enormous strains on the Israeli economy. And Israel’s future is dependent on reaching a two-state solution.

Americans are smart. We know that peace for Israel is more important than the expansion of settlements. We also know that our interests are directly tied to Middle East peace and to Israel.

Peace talks will not succeed without genuine, sustained American  leadership. All sides must know that there will be a price to pay for frustrating peace efforts. President Obama enjoys my support when he demonstrates such leadership.

Carol Weinstein   |   San Francisco