Letter to the Editor | In Opposition of Divestment
April 9, 2019 at 9:05 pm
Tomorrow, the Associated Students Senate at UCSB will vote on a proposed resolution to divest from companies that have ties to Israel. This resolution is part of the broader Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. BDS is an international movement that seeks to destroy, defame, and delegitimize the only Jewish state.
As someone whose parents found a home in Israel after fleeing religious persecution during the Iranian Revolution, I feel directly targeted by this resolution. My family’s experience does not stand alone. Many Jewish Israelis are people of color who came from Middle Eastern countries where their families faced persecution and discrimination, and Israel was the only place where they could find refuge. The descendants of these refugees make up the vibrant and diverse society that is Israel. For us, Israel is a safe haven and the embodiment of our liberation. This resolution attempts to erase this history.
I, like many supporters of Israel, believe there is room to criticize the state. In fact, it is open criticism of Israel that makes it stronger and a true democracy. There are legitimate ways to criticize Israel, and there are ways to express these criticisms without erasing my people’s narrative and history. This resolution is not that way.
Instead of advancing a one-sided resolution, we should be supporting initiatives that promote a better life for Palestinians and Israelis. Instead of divesting, we should be investing in collaboration and coexistence. Instead of dictating a political solution to a faraway conflict, we should be coming together to bridge our gaps and better understand one another here at UCSB. This resolution impedes progress towards justice and the goal of peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. It promotes a dangerous pattern that divides our campus, stifles dialogue, and creates a hostile atmosphere at UCSB.
We, as students at such a highly esteemed university, have the power to enact real and important change. It is dangerous and morally irresponsible, however, to pass a resolution that erases a whole group of people’s narrative and history. I urge you to do your research and understand all sides of this issue. I urge ASUCSB and my fellow Gauchos to come together with open minds and find a more productive way forward.
Sarah Mehrnia encourages the 69th Senate not to divest from Israel.
This was written beautifully!
Yes, but far too rational for its intended audience.
I too am an Iranian American refugee and a UCSB alum with family in Israel. About 2/3 of the Israeli Jewish population consists of non Ashkenazi jews of color. This is a figure that most around the world are naive to or choose to ignore. Thank you for your well written and nuanced article. I am comforted that there continues to exist students who can represent our people and our feelings accurately in these unfortunate situations.
So tired of the Islamist apologists and progressive phonies on campus. Non stop pitty party for totalitarian societies like Palestine.
I don’t understand. Why *shouldn’t* we be divesting in companies that facilitate war and violence in Israel and Palestinian Territories? What business does UCSB have in promoting that?
As is a joke to begin with
We are the last of the UCs to divest. Why? This isn’t about erasing a people’s narrative. This is about ending support for a regime that excuses the genocide of the Palestinian people. UCSB should not remain complicit in the monetary support of companies that perpetuate fascism. There are daily human rights violations that are supported by the money we provide. This is not a personal attack on any certain people, but a protection of the lives of those who are most vulnerable. Move beyond your own personal history and see the reality of what is happening in front of… Read more »
You say that yet ignore the terrorist organization who runs Gaza. So you’re fine w hamas firing rockets into Israel? Bc that’s happening infront of our eyes.
I don’t think the UC system is funding rockets out of Gaza so that’s not exactly a relevant point
So you turn a blind eye to it bc the uc system isn’t involved. Lmao. So in other words you’re fine w it but mad at the Israelis protecting themselves. So y’all choose some useless resolution that will likely pass bc no one here cares about student gov. Smart plan tbh
??? Divestment means not funding companies involved in the conflict. There’s no money invested in the Palestinian side of the conflict so there’s nothing to divest from.
are you really this obtuse irl? you’re choosing to highlight one part of the equation without looking at the whole picture. and then to target companies hahahahha like that will stop Israel. All of this is just for show. no real solutions.
Haaaaa you obviously have never been to the region. Nor do you know what the word genocide means. The “Palestinian people” are growing at a faster rate than most if it’s Arab neighbors. Israel is the only place in the area where Jews, Christians, Muslims, Bahias etc can vote freely and are elected to government office.
Do you want to talk about genocide? Let’s talk about the Muslim treatment of the LGBTQ community in the Middle East?
This article is a joke and very contradictory.
This campaign is a joke and very contradictory.
Like the person before me said, this is contradictory. You say that as students at an esteemed university we wield the power to enact real change and yet, for some reason, we should ignore the injustice and instead focus more on our own privileged campus? And just because many Israelis are people of color does not mean they are immune to criticism and direct action. Absolutely nothing is being erased with Divestment.
If you read the article, she clearly states that because we are at such a highly esteemed university, we hold the power to enact real change. She stresses the fact that we should focus on the conflict in a manner that accounts for both sides and does not de-legitimize or silence one side.