tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9572437.post5720617872978880519..comments2023-10-29T04:19:33.021-05:00Comments on Rabbi Bruce's Blog: Divestment & Boycott Means You Don't Think Israel Should ExistRabbi Bruce B Seltzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17846297119444706664noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9572437.post-5328581676932042872009-02-17T16:23:00.000-05:002009-02-17T16:23:00.000-05:00Hey there,I want to clarify a few point that I thi...Hey there,<BR/><BR/>I want to clarify a few point that I think will show that this movement in the context of Hampshire's achievement is productive and is anything but anti-semitic. First of all, Hampshire's divestment was a divestment from the occupation and NOT from Israel itself. If the media says otherwise, it is a misconception and the Students for Justice in Palestine are contacting the authors.<BR/><BR/>The divestment is an opportunity to generate dialogue about what is happening on the ground in Palestine,which includes actions like nightly incursions, withholding of aid and supplies, the building of a barrier that annexes more land for Israeli settlements and separates Palestinians from their land and their wells, checkpoints that humiliate Palestinians, illegal and inhumane demolitions of homes, etc. etc. etc. The divestment is not an effort to undermine Israeli academics, industry, etc. in general or to influence government per say. It is an effort to directly erase Hampshire's connection and complicity with the occupation that the majority of Hampshire College students deam illegal and inhumane. It is an effort to spread a discourse that doesn't often enough make it into mainstream media. It may seam that we the supporters of Israel (yes, I support Israel by holding it accountable for its actions) are alone in the Pioneer Valley. But if you ask students what they know about the occupation, they far to often won't be able to tell you a half-complete story. And if we in the Pioneer Valley are more attuned to the Palestinian struggle for liberation, we are also fighting against a pro-Israel monopoly on the wider media outlets and government statements in the United States.<BR/><BR/>Another inportant point I've gained from the Students for Justice in Palestine is that the divestment gives students the freedom to decide where they want to invest their money. Now, those who oppose Israel's occupation of Palestine are not forced to support it with their dollars. Students who wish to invest their money in companies like Caterpillar can do so independently.<BR/><BR/>Look forward to speaking to you more! Just wanted to pass along the information I've received from those actively involved in the Divestment movement. It is important for your to hear this side of the story, and then you can continue to argue (if you would like) that this movement is anti-Semitic.<BR/><BR/>Also, did you know that Allan Dershowitz phoned the individual student members of Students for Justice in Palestine and harrassed them and threatened them! That is disgusting and indicates that there is something incredibly wrong and immoral ahout this man. I refuse to trust a man who stoops so low, although I did read very closely what he has to say on Divestment.<BR/><BR/>I support divestment from the occupation because I am a proud Jew and a supporter of Israel. I do not support the divestment from Israel in general. I believe that we need to show Israel tough love. In the end, ending the occupation of Palestine is what will bring Israeli citizens security and respect.<BR/><BR/>You know that claiming that Divestment is anti-Semitic alienates yourself from dialogue and widens the rift between supporters of Israel and supporters of Palestine. I think you scare away those who disagree. It is an attempt to immediately delegitimize the actions of those who support divestment. No peace-loving individual enjoys being labeled as someone who hates Jewish people. I am fortunate to be one who stands in the middle of this rift and tries to bridge it, and I won't back down from trying to enrich the dialogue and broaden peoples' views (including my own).<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your post. This is a journey for me, and I look forward to hearing your feedback in order to fully educate myself.<BR/><BR/>Sincerely, HannahHannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09245487904176868176noreply@blogger.com