BROOKLINE-I am writing in strong support of the anti-apartheid, pro-Palestinian articles in both the Newfane and Brattleboro town meeting agendas. I have seen a flurry of letters and internet comments proclaiming that these are somehow an antisemitic attack and have no place in local government.
Critique of Israel's government and actions is not an inherently antisemitic act, and I ask that voters of these two towns look beyond that knee-jerk reaction and see some of the reasons these articles have been brought in the first place.
These articles are a result of people's dismay and frustration at watching the last 16 months of Israel's assault on Gaza play out, bankrolled and supported by our own United States government. The actions of Israel's government have gone far beyond "self-defense" and have led to the deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians, many of them children.
Numerous human rights organizations around the globe have condemned Israel's actions. An International Criminal Court case has been brought, and an international arrest warrant was issued for Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, for war crimes.
This summer, a series of college campuses saw one of the largest and most well-organized student protest movements in support of Palestine. These protests were met with overwhelming police violence, despite the fact that the majority of these protests were peaceful college students.
These protests were often led by Jewish students, through organizations like Jewish Voices For Peace and Students for Justice in Palestine. Yet, these protesters were largely dismissed as radical extremists by media outlets and politicians alike. And still, the U.S. has sent billions of dollars to aid in Israel's effort.
Many people, myself included, have been increasingly frustrated by our leaders' lack of responsiveness to what is an urgent, developing situation. I have always loved living in an area with a vibrant community known for its activism. I remember going to anti–Iraq war protests as a child, and I would like to remind everyone that Brattleboro voted to arrest George W. Bush and Dick Cheney for war crimes.
The tradition of Town Meeting in Vermont is one of pure democracy. In a time when our federal government is increasingly moving to silence opposition, and in a country that has historically silenced pro-Palestinian voices, I think these measures are an important way for people to voice their opinions, and stand up for what is right.
I encourage voters in Newfane and Brattleboro to vote in support of these actions.
Amy Blazej
Brookline
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