Donald Trump says “pretend I’m on the ballot” when he isn’t. So, too, do the opponents of Oak Park’s referendum to end our state’s unique boycott protection for Israel. Sure, the referendum is simply this sentence: “Should the State of Illinois repeal laws that ban state investment in businesses that boycott the State of Israel.” And sure, referendum proponents say its purposes are 1) to stop our state from actively penalizing economic protest* and, by doing that, 2) lessen our entanglement in another nation’s cruelty. And sure, a Yes vote will influence our state representatives. And sure, the people of Palestine and south Lebanon are utterly devastated. But the referendum’s foes claim the vote isn’t really about all that. “Our sense of safety and belonging is the true question on the ballot,” says a No voter.* 

Well, if we’re pretending the referendum isn’t what its text and authors say, then let’s more empathically imagine it’s about the “safety” of Palestinians surviving, if at all, in Gaza’s ruins or destroyed West Bank villages. And let’s more accurately imagine it’s about the “belonging” of Illinois businesspeople and Oak Park voters who object to Israel’s remorseless violence. But if the “true question” really is the comfort of people voluntarily defending the rogue perpetrator, then our Jewish family votes Yes to boycotts — to incentivize No voters to focus instead on repairing Israel and the damage it’s inflicting. 

But referendum opponents insist the vote is meaningless because its outcome won’t directly and immediately deter Israel.* I recall boycotters of Apartheid South Africa shrugging off that argument, understanding that protest movements take time and education. And if guaranteed success and direct control are requirements for protest, the Broadview 6 and other ICE protesters should just stay home. But please don’t. Unite with Yes voters in Normal, DuPage, Peoria, Champaign and other communities* and pass this referendum. 

* 1) https://iipb.illinois.gov/prohibited-investment-list.html; https://mondoweiss.net/2026/05/officials-and-activists-are-working-to-overturn-illinoiss-anti-bds-law-could-their-campaign-become-a-national-model 

* 2) Grossman letter to Viewpoints, 10/21/26 

* 3) Boutet letter & Taglia letter to Viewpoints, 10/21/26 

* 4) https://letsaddressillinois.substack.com/p/will-illinois-residents-vote-yes?utm_source=notes-share-action 

David Gilbert 

Oak Park 

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