In a move stunning for both its inherent bigotry and its high level of moron quotient, the Student Senate at UC Berkeley voted for a bill calling for divestment from two companies because of Israel.
All quotes below are taken from the press release.
["UC Berkeley Student Senate Passes Divestment Bill in Response to Israeli Occupation"]
QUOTE:
The Senate bill directs both the UC Regents and the Student Government to divest from General Electric and United Technologies. General Electric manufactures Apache helicopter engines; United Technologies manufactures Sikorsky helicopters and F-16 aircraft engines.
END QUOTE.
QUOTE:
Student Senator Rahul Patel supported the bill, declaring that “in the 1980s the Student Government was a central actor in demanding that the university divest from South African apartheid. 25 years later, it is a key figure in shaping a nationwide movement against occupation and war crimes around the world. Student Government can be a space to mobilize and make decisions that have a significant impact on the international community. We must utilize these spaces to engage each other about issues of justice worldwide.”
END QUOTE.
The odious and false comparison with South African Apartheid is rather interesting, given that several other countries actually can be called 'apartheid regimes'..... not only in the Arab world.
Such stellar international players as India, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Turkey, for example.
QUOTE:
The Senate deliberation, which started Wednesday night, concluded at 3 am Thursday morning, March 18. The meeting was flooded with students, educators, and community members, which prompted the relocation of the Senate session from the Senate Chambers to a larger room. The attendees took turns making impassioned arguments for and against the bill. The diverse list of guest speakers included 76 names, ranging in age from college freshmen to Vietnam veterans.
After amendments, the final bill passed on a 16-4 vote.
In addition to Israeli military action, the student initiative was motivated by an 2005 call on behalf of 171 Palestinian civil society organizations calling on "people of conscience all over the world to impose broad boycotts and implement divestment initiatives against Israel … until it fully complies with the precepts of international law."
END QUOTE.
It would appear that many of the Student Senators are ignorant of international law. This is, of course, in keeping with their loyalties to the 171 Palestinian civil society organizations aforementioned, in addition to the ISM, MECA, and others of a questionable nature. That, besides their being ignorant, they are ethically crippled, goes without saying.
Berkeley is no longer the stellar educational institution it once was.
QUOTE:
According to Emiliano Huet-Vaughn, co-author of the bill, “this vote is an historic step in holding all state and corporate actors accountable for their violations of basic human rights. The broad cross section of the community that came out to demand our university invest ethically belies the notion that the American people will tolerate the profiting from occupation or other human rights abuses.” Student Senator Emily Carlton, co-sponsor of the bill, agreed, adding “this action will only be historic if it is repeated throughout the country and the world; I hope that student governments all over America will see in this a sign that the time to divest from war is now.”
END QUOTE.
Co-authors of the bills were students Tom Pessah (tompessah@berkeley.edu, 510.590.7902) and Emiliano Huet-Vaughn (emiliano@econ.berkeley.edu, 510.847.6186).
This per the press release that Katherine Fuchs (katherine.endtheoccupation@gmail.com) forwarded on March 18, 2010.
-----------------------------------------------
AFTERTHOUGHT
My parents studied at Berkeley, as did their siblings and their friends.
I also went to Berkeley. So did many of my friends.
Berkeley was once a wonderful institution. It is no longer so.
The town itself is notorious for the anti-Semitic atmosphere, the campus is a place where it is not safe to be pro-Israel.
I shall henceforth be cheering for Stanford on game day, and boycotting all things Berkeley.
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25 comments:
what, you've gotten so lazy you're ripping off posts from the muquata? ?)
Hee hee hee!
Surely you noticed that I actually posted this post there first?
I am the San Francisco Branch of the Muqata. Or representative. Or "cultural attaché".
We are all Jameel. And we are everywhere.
Boycotting all things Berkeley? How does one do that, exactly?
The town itself is notorious for the anti-Semitic atmosphere, the campus is a place where it is not safe to be pro-Israel.
Oh come on, tone it down a bit. I have family who live in Berkeley, and they don't seem to be too worried about a bunch of ineffectual student activists. Do you really think the University is going to take any action based on this vote?
The odious and false comparison with South African Apartheid is rather interesting, given that several other countries actually can be called 'apartheid regimes'.
There are similarities between Israel policies and South African Apartheid, but they're are difference, too. Israeli apartheid is for the most part confined to the West Bank. So while I agree that the comparison between Israel and South Africa is not 100% valid, it's not like the anti-Israel folks don't have a point. The comparison might be wrong, but you really can't call it "odious."
And I am still having trouble understanding why a gentile of Dutch-American background is so vehement about supporting the Jewish State regardless of its foolish policies, whereas most of the Jews I know (who are committed active members of the Jewish community) are at least vaguely embarrassed, if not disgusted, at the actions of the Israeli government. It's also interesting to note that for some time, the Jewish Federations have also been cutting back on their contributions to Israel via the Jewish Agency. American Jews in general, with the exception of the Orthodox, have been disengaging from Israel, and identification with the State of Israel has become a less important part of our Jewish identity.
The Berkeley Divestment is part of a long, long, "anti-Israel" campaign at Cal. Does anyone else recall last years debacle where the SJP students started an incident, then lied, blaming a Jewish ASUC senator for the brouhaha (who of course was exonerated by a video)? Although the ASUC senator was shown on video as NOT participating, the SJP launched a smear campaign against him and conned the Cal student body into having him impeached. SJP plays dirty and is not closely bound to the truth.
I have family who live in Berkeley, and they don't seem to be too worried about a bunch of ineffectual student activists.
Not that ineffectual. Nor that ‘non-threatening’ that their threats can be entirely ignored. Nor just students, although there are more than thirty thousand of them. It isn’t, in any case, the majority that one should worry about; those who translate hate-filled ideas into hate-filled acts are always a minority. A dangerous, self-righteous, and radicalized minority given cover and a veneer of acceptability by the ‘sincere’ peace-interested anti-Israel crowd.
, it's not like the anti-Israel folks don't have a point. The comparison might be wrong, but you really can't call it "odious."
An element of truth does not validate a wealth of falsehoods. The truth is painful, but the falsehoods are odious. A smear remains a smear, a libel remains a libel. And a big lie, even with a grain of truth, is an even bigger lie.
And I am still having trouble understanding why a gentile of Dutch-American background is so vehement about supporting the Jewish State
Part liberalism, part a sense of commonality. And several other parts. Personal and family background, knowledge of history, neuroses. Stubbornness. Fairness. Oh, and a Calvinism which, though adhered to merely as a form of skeptical cynicism and a sneering disbelieving attitude is no less bred in the bone.
regardless of its foolish policies,
Not regardless. Despite.
whereas most of the Jews I know (who are committed active members of the Jewish community) are at least vaguely embarrassed, if not disgusted, at the actions of the Israeli government.
Meh. We all have selectivity as regards our friends and acquaintances.
As do I ALSO – I do not associate with Arabs who are anti-Semites, but I do not rile up the Arabs that I do associate with by always mentioning the Middle-East. There is FAR more to Jewishness and Arabicity than just that one PAINFUL subject.
And regarding disgust, even you will admit that there is far more scope for that sentiment as regards the Arab governments – for one thing, there are more of such, for another, they all commit acts far more egregious.
American Jews in general, with the exception of the Orthodox, have been disengaging from Israel, and identification with the State of Israel has become a less important part of our Jewish identity.
Indeed. One cannot fail to notice that. Rather disturbing.
Did I ever mention that I veer towards orthodox? Were it not for a previously mentioned skeptical cynicism, if I ever even intended to convert, it would be into modern orthodox. Nevertheless I prefer to bark on the fringes rather than take a full body plunge.
Skeptical Cynics –a community of the dysfaithful. Or they would be, if they could actually agree on enough……
"American Jews in general, with the exception of the Orthodox, have been disengaging from Israel, and identification with the State of Israel has become a less important part of our Jewish identity.
"
Only the orthodox really support the racism of Israelis. American Jews have learned how to be people first. After two thousand years.
"American Jews in general, with the exception of the Orthodox, have been disengaging from Israel"
Not true. But people in general are lazy and apathetical and American Jews have gotten complacent about Israel. But with every act like this, the American Jews get motivated to act. Already, Jewish and fair minded alumni are joining together to refusing to contribute to the alumni association, general fund and scholarship funds.
Thus silly symbolic act by 16 ill informed students has the potential to cost the cash strapped UC system millions over time.
Good work, kids.
There is nothing "grass roots" about the anti-Israel moveemnt on campus- it is well orchestrated and well funded. At the Al Awda conference last month,
http://homelandsecurityus.com/archives/3590 Lina Othman explained how the UC Divestment program had developed a campus-wide network in California tailored for each campus community.
CA: When it comes to being victimized by genteel racism, Islamofacism or anti-semistism, all Jews worldwide, particuarly Jewish Israelis, are treated as if they were "orthodox." These people don't care what your politics are, or your degree of relgious observance. To them, every Jew, every Israeli, is alike. If you're not guilty of oppressing the Arabs, then you're clearly guilty of controlling governments, running banks, infiltrating Hollywood, printing newspapers, intermarrying, and so on. My advice? Support Israel. If you're going to be guilty of something, then let it be worthwhile.
I know of a few people who will not be contributing to SF State's alumni fund for the same reason. It's the school's loss, not ours, considering the financial crisis of the Cal State system.
If they put so much emphasis on boycotting the Jewish State, it's time for those who are pro-Israel, Jewish or not, to boycott schools such as SF State and Berkeley.
Israeli apartheid blah blah blah .
What a ridiculous Statement. There is no "apartheid". There is no rule of the majority by the minority. Israel is 80 % Jewish. The Jews are the majority. In spite of that, the local Arab community has full legal and civil rights.
So while I agree that the comparison between Israel and South Africa is not 100% valid,
Its not valid at all
it's not like the anti-Israel folks don't have a point.
Their point is "Anything to get you to delegitamize Israel, truth me damned"
The comparison might be wrong, but you really can't call it "odious."
Odious. Inappropriate. Repugnant. Take your pick. Its an inappropriate work chosen simply for its shock value.
Divestment Vote at
http://www.divestthis.com/
The recent divestment vote by the Berkeley Student Senate represents:
The first step in BDS’s inevitable victory to bring the Zionist entity to its knees! Bwahahahahah!
A textbook example of irrelevant gesture politics by a bunch of ludicrously hypocritical poseurs
Whats your opinion? Vote Now.
the Apartheid comparison rests on several components. Within the occupied territories the Israeli government has imposed a division into cantons, so that Palestinians can't get from one part to another without a special permit, or they are sent to administrative detention. So, for example, a student from Gaza was prevented from studying in a university in Bethlehem. http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=235801
this is very similar to the notoriuos "pass system" which was one of the main components of South African aprartheid - which was also justified in the name of security.
Another important (and related) component was that blacks could work for whites but not live in the same communities. Within Israel proper, as well as in the territories, land is allocated to Jewish-only communities (kibbutzim, moshavim, mitzpim, settlements) by orgnizations like the Jewish National Fund which guarantee land will be kept for the Jewish people - even if it is land that was expropriated from Palestinians. In the famous case of Qaadan, an Israeli Arab had to get to the supreme court and fight for more than a decade to move into a neighboring Jewish-only community south of Haifa. After his victory the law was changed, last year, to prevent similar cases from happening in the future.
Here is an analysis by a Haifa law professor
http://lawatch.haifa.ac.il/eng/select/march_00.html
We could also talk about segregation within the education system, or laws preventing marriage between different kinds of Palestinians.
The Apartheid label is much more than an attempt to create shock.
the Apartheid comparison rests on several components. Within the occupied territories the Israeli government has imposed a division into cantins, so that Palestinians can't get from one part to another without a special permit, or they are sent to administrative detention. So, for example, a student from Gaza was prevented from studying in a university in Bethlehem. http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=235801
this is very similar to the notioriuos "pass system" which was one of the main components of South African aprartheid.
Another important (and related) component was that blacks could work for whites but not live in the same communities. Within Israel proper, as well as in the territories, land is allocated to Jewish-only communities (kibbutzim, moshavim, mitzpim, settlements) by orgnizations like the Jewish National Fund which guarantee land will be kept for the Jewish people - even if it is land that was expropriated from Palestinians. In the famous case of Qaaran, an Israeli Arab had to get to the supreme court and fight for more than a decade to move into a neighboring Jewish-only community south of Haifa. After his victory the law was changed, last year, to prevent similar cases from happening in the future.
Here is an analysis by a Haifa law professor
http://lawatch.haifa.ac.il/eng/select/march_00.html
We could also talk about segregation within the education system, or laws preventing marriage between different kinds of Palestinians.
The Apartheid label is much more than an attempt to create shock.
the Apartheid comparison rests on several components. Within the occupied territories the Israeli government has imposed a division into cantins, so that Palestinians can't get from one part to another without a special permit, or they are sent to administrative detention. So, for example, a student from Gaza was prevented from studying in a university in Bethlehem. http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=235801
this is very similar to the notioriuos "pass system" which was one of the main components of South African aprartheid.
Another important (and related) component was that blacks could work for whites but not live in the same communities. Within Israel proper, as well as in the territories, land is allocated to Jewish-only communities (kibbutzim, moshavim, mitzpim, settlements) by orgnizations like the Jewish National Fund which guarantee land will be kept for the Jewish people - even if it is land that was expropriated from Palestinians. In the famous case of Qaaran, an Israeli Arab had to get to the supreme court and fight for more than a decade to move into a neighboring Jewish-only community south of Haifa. After his victory the law was changed, last year, to prevent similar cases from happening in the future.
Here is an analysis by a Haifa law professor
http://lawatch.haifa.ac.il/eng/select/march_00.html
We could also talk about segregation within the education system, or laws preventing marriage between different kinds of Palestinians.
The Apartheid label is much more than an attempt to create shock.
My dear Anonymous,
Did you REALLY have to post the SAME comment three times?
Please note the following 'codicil' , which appears on the right-hand side of this blog (just under "view my complete profile"):
"Please note that comment moderation has been enabled. Most comments will be approved. Comments which mention certain names and addresses will not."
There will always be a lag between your posting a comment, and my releasing it. Most days, it may be as much as an hour or so, or as little as a few minutes.
During cocktail time or the sleeping part of the night it will probably not be reviewed, and from just before nachtval on Friday till whenever I will likely not see it either.
NOTE: This mild form of censorship was first imposed because of hatefilled comments that deliberately revealed the names and addresses of my co-conspirators, in an attempt to harass and inculcate fear. Since then, internet vendors and porno merchants have discovered that they can boost their own sites by plonking links into comment fields on blogs ......
Just think...if the state lacking former Jordanians now known as Palestinians had ceased their hostilities against Jews, checkpoints and border closures would be a thing of the past.
Palestinian leadership has made their bed and now they get to lay and whine in it. The leadership would rather remain hate mongering Jew haters than join the rest of humanity. Perhaps one day when Hamas & Fatah are replaced with true blue civic leaders, can peace even be considered. As it stands now, the Palestinians in power have demonstrated to the world that all they want is war. So be it.
The word is completely inappropriate and its a cheap rhetorical trick. At Sabeel, Jeff Halper admitted as much, but keep using it, he urged.
The West bank certainly is an apartheid state, with the death penalty rendered to those who sell land to Jews.
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=137915
BTW, Emiliano Huet-Vaughn is with the notorious International Solidarity Movement-they specialize in dressing up their women as Orthodox Jews, who then are photographed misbehaving- the films are widely circulated in European and American anti-Israel circles as a way to demonize "settlers"
Emiliano also helped promote "non-violent resistence" with AK-47s.
Nice guy.
http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=2601
It is so deeply ironic, that while our completely naive "Anti-zionists" struggle SO hard to make weak comparisions between the old S. Africa and Israel, that at the same time, the Palestinians DEMAND that any land ceded to them by Israel must first be rendered free of all Jews like Gaza. In the 2/3 of the British Mandate of Palestine, that was illegally cut off by the British and made into "Jordan" in 1923,being of the Jewish faith is a bar to citizenship or land ownership. Israel is a vibrant, open, multi-cultural democracy, a type of governmental entity unknown in the entire Arab world. In fact, the only way to distinguish a Jew from an Arab in Israel (assuming no identifying regalia) is to ask nicely.
you don't have any picture of Emiliano with an AK-47 there.
Is that bloke fer real?
"Some parts of life in Israel kind of sort of remind me of South Africa, so therefore Israel is an apartheid state?"
His logic:
South Africa is an apartheid state.
South Africa has lots of charismatic megafauna.
Israel has lots of charismatic megafauna.
Therefore Israel reminds me of South Africa.
Therefore Israel is an apartheid state.
WTF?
Ya know, ATBOTH, if ungergrads were required to take classes in logic, maybe the world would be a better place.
Anonymouse: most of the Jews I know ....blah blah blah vaguely embarrassed, if not disgusted,blah blah blah
************
Most of the Jews I know firmly support the existence of the state of Israel as a Jewish state and believe that you can be a commited and active Zionist and Jew without supporting the particular actions of any partcular Israeli government.
Check out this youtube of ISM style non-violent resistence-
throwing cinderblocks at mini-vans filled with children
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mD4oA12G4Y&feature=player_embedded
Just like Dr. King. Just like Gandhi.
"non-violent" means what I say it means. "apartheid" means what I say it means.
Why do we even try to talk to these people?
Yesterday Will Smelko, the president of the UC Berkeley student senate, vetoed the divestment bill that the senate had approved last week. Will said in his decision "To achieve and maintain campus unity and peace, the perception of the bill as a symbolic attack on a specific community of our fellow students, and/or fears of the bill being used as a tool to delegitimize the state of Israel, cannot be overstated."
What a brave and courageous stand to take in Berkeley. Good for you, Will and thank you.
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