As a Jewish Oak Park resident, I will vote “Yes” on Nov. 3 to the referendum question “Should the State of Illinois repeal laws that ban state investment in businesses that boycott the State of Israel?” My “Yes” sends a clear message to my state representatives about where I stand: eliminate the unconstitutional 2015 Illinois law restricting the right of companies to boycott the state of Israel. I encourage all voters of conscience to vote “Yes.” Due to this law, there is only one country currently protected from economic sanctions as a tool to press for change-Israel.
Referendum opponents perplex me. Many claim to be concerned over Israeli behavior (mass slaughter of civilians in Gaza, destruction of its economy, settler violence and land grabs in the West Bank, growing authoritarianism and fanaticism of the Netanyahu government, etc.) yet they oppose a time-tested, non-violent tool used in this country and internationally to effect change from countries engaging in human rights violations. What else do they suggest if not economic sanctions?
RELATED: I urge you to vote “No” on the Nov. 3 referendum
I am profoundly offended by the claims that the referendum is somehow discriminatory to Jewish Oak Parkers. This is blatantly false and dangerous. Jewish people have widely differing perspectives on the state of Israel and, increasingly, oppose its actions. Many of us claim no ties to Israel. Our Jewish youth are abandoning the allegiance to Israel professed by many of my generation. It is antisemitic to paint Jewish people with broad brushstrokes. We are a diverse group of people in every way.
As for divisiveness, it is OK to have robust conversations over issues people are passionate about. That is democracy. That is community. 74, 000 dead in Gaza. 20,000 children among them. 175,000 injured. Journalists killed while reporting. Medics targeted and killed while serving the injured. Hospitals and universities razed. A boycott seems like small potatoes in the face of this reality. Ending U.S. military support to Israel would be more effective.
I can’t sleep at night. Yes, Oak Park voters do have to figure out, in times like these, where we stand.
*Statistics from https://gazacasualties.org, widely available from many sources.
Deborah Adelman
Oak Park
Professor Emerita, College of DuPage