With an aching heart I stood in front of the courthouse in Northampton prior to the hearing on the divestment lawsuit last week and shared the following testimony. I cannot be silent.

I have been a Jewish resident of Northampton for over 20 years. I have worked as an educator and organizer in the Jewish world for most of my life. I wish I wasn’t standing here, but I cannot be silent.

I lived in Israel for almost 10 years, and worked in the field of Jewish-Palestinian conflict resolution. There were times, 45 years ago, when we felt hopeful about a peaceful future. I mourn the direction Israel has taken. I wish I wasn’t standing here, but I cannot be silent.

My heart is totally broken over the path that Israel has taken, a path that has led to the dehumanization of the Palestinians, and to a violent apartheid society. I don’t want to be standing here, but I cannot be silent.

When the younger generations ask me “What did you do when Israel was acting out, taking vengeance, trying to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from their land?” I want to have an answer. I am standing here because I cannot be silent.

As a Jew committed to and involved with the local Jewish community and a proud member of Congregation B’nai Israel, I, like many other Jews with aching hearts, understand that the safety and liberation of Jews and of Palestinians are deeply intertwined. There is no safety and liberation for one without safety and liberation for the other. I am standing here because I cannot be silent.

And there is something I can do. I can support my city in its effort to ensure that its public investments do not support violent Israeli apartheid. I can add my voice to those standing up against the occupation and Israel’s violation of human rights of Palestinians.

And there is something more I have done. In the same way we have asked the city of Northampton to divest, I have divested my personal investments from those that support Israeli apartheid. I am proud to live here, in a city aligned with my personal values.

Judi Wisch

Northampton