We are writing in response to Veronica Darmon’s July 2 guest column, “Pitting Jews against Jews makes us unsafe.” We respect and agree with the writer in many ways. We agree that a vibrant democracy is a fundamental protection for everyone. We agree that there has been a rise in antisemitism in the U.S. and around the world. We agree that it is frightening to see, hear, and experience the hatred that has been easily thrown at Jews. We also agree that there are many other conflicts around the globe that need our attention. We must be courageous and speak out wherever human rights are being violated.
However, the Israeli army has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank which is not providing more safety for Israel; it is quite possibly creating less safety. We support the right for Jews to criticize the Israeli government for its policies just as we have done so many times in our own country.
The resolution calls for Northampton to divest from companies supplying weapons and materials for the attacks on Gaza and the West Bank. These are companies whose products are used to harm families and destroy homes. We agree fully with this resolution. The lawsuit against the city challenges our city’s ability to use divestment as a tool for social change. We are among a group of 30 Northampton residents who are intervenors in this lawsuit. As intervenors, we believe that the city does have the right to use the tools of divestment as cities have done successfully in the past to voice opposition to the Vietnam War, apartheid in South Africa, and fossil fuels.
Speaking as Jews, we believe that the more we speak out against violence, whether it is the senseless slaughter of young people at a concert or families living in Gaza, we are all safer when we do call out this violence, for everyone’s safety.
Jane Fleishman, Mariel Barnesky, Joan Tabachnick, Noah T. Winer and Judi Wisch
Northampton