Referendum inconsistent with welcoming village

I urge Oak Parkers to vote No on the November boycott referendum. I serve on the steering committee of Oak Park Neighbors United but write as an individual.

This referendum distracts from issues where Oak Parkers can make a difference, such as zoning changes and closure of West Suburban Hospital. It is a non-binding advisory vote that is needlessly divisive and discriminatory and makes neighbors feel unwelcome.

Referendum supporters assert that it is not about Israel or the Middle East but, unconvincingly in my view, primarily about free speech and fiscal responsibility. Read their materials, however, their opinions in the Journal, and on Facebook. The focus is Israel (and its supporters) and a discriminatory boycott that seeks its destruction. And it did not take long for the “genocide” charge to make its way into Facebook and Journal letters.

Referendum proponents, some of whom identify as Jewish, argue against “conflating” Jews with Israel. But Jews are a people with a religion – Judaism – and not simply another religion. Israel is home to half the world’s Jews. Our Jewish community is deeply entwined with Israel, most supporting its existence as a democratic Jewish state, often in vocal opposition to its government and policies (as I love America while abhorring our administration), and yes, occasionally against Israel as a Jewish state.

Aiming a genocide-support charge at Jewish community members because of their identification with Israel is abhorrent: it deliberately tars local Jews with the crime that led to the murder of six million, and it stops dialogue. Cold.

The referendum is inconsistent with our Welcoming Village ordinance. Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS), which the referendum enables, discriminates against Israelis, at home and abroad, based on national origin. And the referendum makes many Jewish neighbors feel unwelcome, also discriminating on national origin as defined in U.S. civil rights protections.

The pro-boycott referendum, inflaming community feelings, harms many neighbors in service of a performative, symbolic and advisory outcome that will help no one in Palestine or Israel. Please vote No and send a positive message about Oak Park and where our public debates should focus.

Sources:

“Opponents claim the referendum is about Middle East policy. It is not.” https://www.oakpark.com/2026/08/18/israel-boycott-referendum-objections-hearing

https://www.opfreespeech.org/faq