tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26100480454298500122024-03-05T08:48:39.681-05:00Stop BDS at the Park Slope Food Coop<i>In March 2012 we defeated a BDS initiative at the Park Slope Food Coop.<br>I hope I still have something worthwhile to contribute to the discussion<br>
</i>The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-4036399758181091692016-09-10T19:57:00.000-04:002016-09-10T20:04:11.064-04:00NYC City Council to Vote on anti-BDS Resolution<span data-offset-key="fgk3n-0-0"><span data-text="true"></span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="cesmf-0-0"><span data-text="true">Resolution 1058-A, “A resolution condemning all efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and the global movement to boycott, divest from, and sanction the people of Israel.” is scheduled for a vote on September 14 by the New York City Council.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="cesmf-0-0"><span data-text="true">I hope this will pass and I hope the members of the Council's Progressive Caucus will vote for it as well. BDS falsely markets itself as a "progressive" cause. </span></span><span data-offset-key="cesmf-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span data-offset-key="cesmf-0-0"><span data-text="true">Too many progressives are duped into supporting BDS </span></span>because of confirmation bias and lack of knowledge about a complex issue.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="cesmf-0-0"><span data-text="true">Let's be clear. Bigotry is not progressive. Discrimination is not progressive. Defamation is not progressive. Ignoring, denying or justifying violence is not progressive. Denying history is not progressive. Distorting and selectively quoting international law is not progressive.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="cesmf-0-0"><span data-text="true">The BDS movement ignores the role of Arab anti-Jewish attitudes in the development of opposition to legal Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel during the pre-State and Ottoman periods. The BDS movement denies the Jewish people their identity as a unique group with a national history and right to self-determination. The BDS movement singles out the world's only Jewish for opprobrium. The BDS movement falsely represents Israel. The BDS movement ignores the existence, incitement and actions of Palestinian terror groups dedicated to targeting and murdering Jews - anywhere in the world. The BDS movement's activities on American college campuses correlates with acts of violence, harassment and intimidation of Jewish students.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="21rb5-0-0"><span data-text="true">This is from the <a href="http://www.jcrcny.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/NYC-Council-Testimony-anti-BDS-reso-09-08-16-1.pdf" target="_blank">testimony</a> of New York City Jewish Community Relations Council CEO Michael Miller to the Council last week.</span></span></div>
<blockquote>
BDS tactics are one-sided and are focused solely on
eliminating Israel.
BDS turns
a blind eye to Palestinian
actions which
seek to undermine
a two
state solution, such as terrorism, indiscriminate rocket fire
on civilian
areas,
repeated refusals
to negotiate for peace,
and
unfortunate
rejections
of Israeli offers for Palestinian
statehood.
Rather than focusing on improving the situation for both peoples, BDS activists
sabotage
the
internationally-backed peace process
hat is premised on advancing
mutual understanding and respect
between the parties. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Economic boycotts and divestment actions
will not help the Palestinian people. The path to the two-state
solution depends on creating an atmosphere of peace and reconciliation combined with economic
development and political achievement.
Blocking that path is
the BDS Movement. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
If you believe in
the right of the Jewish people to
be
safe and secure
in their
historic
homeland, I urge you to
support this resolution. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
If you believe in the right of the Palestinian people to their own state alongside, but not instead of, Israel,
I
urge you to support this resolution.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
If you
believe in a true peace process and oppose
divisive, destructive tactics that attempt to cripple
our ally
Israel,
I urge you to support this resolution.</blockquote>
<blockquote>
If you believe that together, we can play a
constructive
role in ensuring that Israelis and Palestinians can work
toward
achieving
mutual understanding, cooperation, and a better future
for themselves, their children, and
their grandchildren, I urge you to support this resolution.</blockquote>
If you are a New York City resident please <a href="http://council.nyc.gov/html/members/members.shtml" target="_blank">contact your Council representative</a> and say you support Resolution 1058-AThe Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-24157415562796356952016-05-08T21:50:00.000-04:002016-05-08T22:36:54.655-04:00BDS Does Not Belong in the Park Slope Food CoopI submitted the following letter to the Coop's biweekly newspaper., the Linewaiters' Gazette (LWG). It was rejected for publication. I will address the reasons given for rejection in a separate post.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Zionists should be sent to the gas chambers,” someone wrote on a bathroom wall at UC Berkeley – ground-zero of the BDS movement in the United States. “Death to Israel,” “Kill all the Jews” and multiple swastika graffiti have also been found on the <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/03/19/berkeley-s-swastika-problem-are-america-s-liberal-colleges-breeding-anti-semitism.html">Berkeley campus</a>. These are the fruits of the hate promoted by the BDS movement.
<br />
<br />
Apparently it is a crime worthy of genocide to recognize the Jewish People as a distinct national group with a unique history, language, and culture, and to support their right to self-determination and self-preservation as an indigenous people in a portion of their ancestral homeland that is source of their culture. Further, by calling for this genocide is to be carried out using the same mechanism specifically designed by the Nazis for the extermination of the Jews 75 years earlier, the writer implies approval for the actual murder of one-third of world Jewry.
<br />
<br />
In our own Coop, a BDS supporting member has publicly expressed the desire that Orthodox Jews not be Coop members. In the Gazette, BDS members have:
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li>called for the support of a leading member of the terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad (3/8/12,p.6).</li>
<li>equated Israel with Nazi Germany (12/11/14, p.7).</li>
<li>told Jews how they should understand their Jewishness (8/21/14, p.13 & 10/30/14, p.13)</li>
<li>called for the dismantling of Israel (6/16/11, p. 10).
</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
None of this has any relation to Palestinian human rights. None of this can be called “criticism of Israel.”
<br />
<br />
Well-intentioned people may support the BDS movement because they believe they are supporting Palestinian human rights. However, the BDS movement does not promote rights or democracy. It seeks to portray Israel’s very existence as incompatible with human rights. In doing so, it works to justify attacks upon Israel and Israel’s supporters.
<br />
<br />
In April, former U.S. Treasury Terrorism Analyst Jonathan Schanzer <a href="http://observer.com/2016/04/birds-of-a-feather-the-link-between-bds-and-hamas/">testified before Congress</a> that the funders of the BDS movement in the US were also funders of Hamas, the terrorist group whose charter calls not only for the elimination of Israel but also the murder of ALL JEWS everywhere. The BDS movement is a part of a century-old effort of an elite, despotic Arab leadership to maintain its hegemony. The BDS movement works to further entrench a Palestinian leadership that has enriched itself through the prolongation of the conflict at the expense of the Palestinian people.
<br />
<br />
This is why so many of us oppose the BDS movement, and why I labeled it a “vicious racist movement.” This is not speech that should be protected in the Coop. The GCs’ decision to no longer allow the use of the meeting room for BDS-related activities is a wise one and a step in the right direction for returning normalcy to the Coop.
<br />
<br />
If you agree it is time to end the promotion of the BDS movement in the Food Coop, then please add your name to my <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/p/loading.html">petition.</a></blockquote>
The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-50295369053611814362015-11-03T19:33:00.002-05:002015-11-03T19:33:56.681-05:00Is Anti-Zionism a form of Anti-Semitism?The Pope's answer:
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
In an email we got from Pope Francis:"Whoever does not recognize the Jewish People and the State of Israel falls in antisemitism"</div>
— Henrique Cymerman (@Henrique_B_C) <a href="https://twitter.com/Henrique_B_C/status/603897713311133696">May 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
and on October 28, 2015, <a href="http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/194614/pope-francis-anti-zionism-is-anti-semitism">Pope Francis said at a meeting with Jewish leaders</a> to mark the 50th anniversary of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nostra_aetate">Nostra Aetate</a>
<br />
<blockquote>
“To attack Jews is anti-Semitism, but an outright attack on the State of Israel is also anti-Semitism. There may be political disagreements between governments and on political issues, but the State of Israel has every right to exist in safety and prosperity.”</blockquote>
And President Obama, in an <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/05/obama-interview-iran-isis-israel/393782/">interview</a> with Jeffrey Goldberg, in the <i>Atlantic</i>
<blockquote>
On Israel, Obama endorsed, in moving terms, the underlying rationale for the existence of a Jewish state, making a direct connection between the battle for African American equality and the fight for Jewish national equality. “There’s a direct line between supporting the right of the Jewish people to have a homeland and to feel safe and free of discrimination and persecution, and the right of African Americans to vote and have equal protection under the law,” he said. “These things are indivisible in my mind.”<br />
<br />
In discussing the resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe, he was quite clear in his condemnation of what has become a common trope—that anti-Zionism, the belief that the Jews should not have a state of their own in at least part of their ancestral homeland, is unrelated to anti-Jewish hostility. He gave me his own parameters for judging whether a person is simply critical of certain Israeli policies or harboring more prejudicial feelings.<br />
<br />
“Do you think that Israel has a right to exist as a homeland for the Jewish people, and are you aware of the particular circumstances of Jewish history that might prompt that need and desire?” he said, in defining the questions that he believes should be asked. “And if your answer is no, if your notion is somehow that that history doesn’t matter, then that’s a problem, in my mind. If, on the other hand, you acknowledge the justness of the Jewish homeland, you acknowledge the active presence of anti-Semitism—that it’s not just something in the past, but it is current—if you acknowledge that there are people and nations that, if convenient, would do the Jewish people harm because of a warped ideology. If you acknowledge those things, then you should be able to align yourself with Israel where its security is at stake, you should be able to align yourself with Israel when it comes to making sure that it is not held to a double standard in international fora, you should align yourself with Israel when it comes to making sure that it is not isolated.”</blockquote>
The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-47883020352163348022015-07-06T20:00:00.000-04:002015-07-06T20:00:03.292-04:00Anti-BDS Letter from Hillary ClintonA number of news media outlets have already picked up a letter from Hillary Clinton to Haim Saban in which Clinton expresses her "alarm over the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement." Saying "we need to repudiate efforts to malign and undermine Israel and the Jewish people," Clinton asks Saban for advice on how to work "across party lines" to fight back against BDS.<br />
<br />
Read the full letter below or download <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5LkfmNv1g3wNVhzeDJOZmpINzA" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
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<iframe height="630" src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5LkfmNv1g3wNVhzeDJOZmpINzA/preview" width="500"></iframe>The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-74358416983786556552015-05-11T10:01:00.000-04:002015-07-06T19:45:12.951-04:00For the MediaMay 11, 2015 - This morning I woke up to find an <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/editorial-blame-article-1.2215991" target="_blank">editorial in the New York Daily News</a> about the latest BDS effort at the <a href="http://foodcoop.com/" target="_blank">Park Slope Food Coop</a>. The editorial is based on a report appearing at the The Indypendent written by a Food Coop member who attended the April General Meeting. The editorial contains no original first hand reporting.<br />
<br />
I love reporters. I envy your writing abilities. I had a great time talking to reporters three years ago. But I also have a day job. This time please send your questions to my email stopbdsparkslope at gmail.com. We will try to send you answers within 24 hours. I think this will work better for everyone.<br />
<br />
The Food Coop is an extremely <b>successful</b> experiment. Starting with a few people 40 years ago who decided to collectively buy wholesale, it has grown into a $50 million/year business, employing some 50 people, and providing them with very competitive salaries and attractive benefits. In addition, members save thousands of dollars a year on their food bill and we support local agriculture.<br />
<br />
The Coop's <a href="http://foodcoop.com/go.php?id=38" target="_blank">Mission Statement</a> includes: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We are committed to diversity and equality. We oppose discrimination in
any form. We strive to make the Coop welcoming and accessible to all and
to respect the opinions, needs and concerns of every member. We seek to
maximize participation at every level, from policy making to running
the store.
<br />
<br />
We welcome all who respect these values. </blockquote>
Yet, from time to time, for better or worse, because of the nature of Food Coop governance relies on the cooperative spirit and good will of its members, food coops - like colleges - are left vulnerable to exploitation by groups seeking to promote their political causes. As the the blog <a href="http://divestthis.com/" target="_blank">Divest This!</a> writes:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
One answer has to do with our old friend <a href="http://divestthis.com/2010/04/ruthlessness.html" target="_blank" title="Ruthlessness">ruthlessness</a>.
For in a society, such as a college community, that values discourse
and assumes people will resolve problems reasonably and amicably, how do
you deal with an organization ready to trash the entire enterprise in
order to torture and smear their political enemies?</blockquote>
Please check back here for relevant articles as I post responses to the latest BDS effort.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2015/05/how-to-get-our-house-in-order.html" target="_blank">How To Get Our House in Order </a><br />
<a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2015/05/from-perspective-of-israeli-coop-member.html" target="_blank">From the Perspective of an Israeli Coop Member</a> The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-45230983614932116532015-05-11T09:59:00.002-04:002015-05-11T09:59:38.694-04:00How To Get Our House in OrderThe following was submitted by a Coop member who attended the April General Meeting at the Park Slope Food Coop. She offers some insights into how and why the meeting got out of control, and suggestions for how we can do better:<br />
<br />
Fully appreciating that the committees referenced below made good faith efforts to exercise their complex responsibilities, it was nonetheless not surprising that the April GM at one point devolved into a chaotic shouting match. The many reasons follow, with constructive suggestions for assuring order in the future.<br /><br /><b>THE AGENDA COMMITTEE (AC)</b> made an error of judgment by scheduling a discussion about boycotting SodaStream in the "Occupied Palestinian Territories" (aka "disputed territories"). It was well-known by all relevant parties that the factory in question was closing one week from the meeting, information relayed in writing by SodaStream upon request from Coop management and forwarded to the AC. Therefore the discussion clearly revolved around a moot point and offered little but a third opportunity (2011 discussion, 2012 boycott referendum proposal, soundly defeated) to make the familiar, highly controversial claims repeatedly published (and refuted) for six years in the Gazette.<br />
<b>SUGGESTION:</b> In future the AC might consider the appropriateness and value of a discussion/proposal based on an obsoleted premise, in this instance that there would be a factory to boycott.<br /><br /><b>THE CHAIR COMMITTEE (CC)</b>, with the unenviable task of making split-second parliamentary decisions, unfortunately lost control of some of the proceedings, not their fault alone given that all factions contributed to the ensuing chaos.<br /><br />During the Open Forum an attempt to query the AC about the legitimacy of the discussion was ruled out of order despite meeting the relevant guideline providing "the opportunity for members to briefly submit general and specific questions regarding the operation of the Coop"1 (which naturally includes the AC). <b>SUGGESTION:</b> Future meetings would benefit from a reading of the brief guideline by the Chair prior to the Open Forum.<br /><br />A later parliamentary attempt was made to question the validity of the discussion (Objection to Consideration of a Question), similarly rejected by the Chair.<br />
<b>SUGGESTION:</b> In future the Chair might inform members about how to exercise their parliamentary rights2, (among other ways, by making a motion) detailed on easily overlooked handouts, which to facilitate order might be projected above the stage2.<br /><br />Although the discussion was submitted by only two individuals, the Chair allowed six presenters, providing them a disproportionate time-advantage in the discussion. Irrelevant and out-of-context images of Israeli military were displayed, suggesting, without unambiguously depicting, Israeli abuses. This predictably provoked – unfortunately but understandably – a call to remove the images. To his credit the Chair repeatedly but futilely directed the projectionist to desist, but finally gave up when she refused, resulting in a lengthy shouting match.<br />
<b>SUGGESTION:</b> In future the Chair should suspend the discussion until compliance with an order is achieved or remind members of their right to make a motion and vote on removing the images. (Objections were also made, but ignored, about a presenter provocatively imaging audience reactions from the podium).<br /><br />Following management's reading of the letter about the imminent closing of the relevant SodaStream factory, some in the audience continued to disrupt, with unfortunately no effective restraint by the Chair. <b>SUGGESTIONS:</b> The Chair should offer disrupters a choice to desist or leave, and, if necessary, either escort them out or, again, suspend the proceedings until compliance is secured. In future, discussions about this incendiary, divisive topic (best avoided altogether), might benefit (sadly) from security presence as at the 2012 meeting.<br /><br />Following the six-person presentation, the Chair directed alternating one minute pro and con responses, thus providing no reasonable opportunity for serious debate of the highly contentious material presented. <b>SUGGESTION:</b> For debates on such complex and controversial topics, a more equitable alternate format should be developed, allowing an equivalent counter-presentation by informed opposition representatives prior to the alternating, inadequate one-minute, pro and con responses.<br /><br />Unfortunately, it can be claimed that the proceedings exemplified the very tactics encouraged and used globally by BDS advocates, who routinely disrupt Israeli events and speakers (this naturally doesn't excuse comparable -- understandable but unacceptable -- disruption from the opposing faction). In a sense, the presenters experienced what it feels like to be on the receiving end of their movement's own tactics. <b>SUGGESTION:</b> But now, we collectively – members, management, committees, and the Board of Directors – all need to reconsider allowing enduring divisiveness so far outside the boundaries of inclusiveness, courtesy, sensitivity and respect for the dignitary rights of all groups within our community, assuring harmony and cohesion above disruptive partisan politics only tangentially relevant to the Coop. <br /><br />The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-70297473510633386482015-05-11T09:00:00.003-04:002015-05-11T09:00:59.582-04:00From the Perspective of an Israeli Coop MemberThe following was written by Coop Member Yoav Gal following the April General Meeting of the Park Slope Food Coop.<br />
<br />
I would like to apologize for the rowdy behavior exhibited during last week’s General Meeting. My expectation at the GM was to hear updates about the Coop and discuss on-going issues, not to be subjected to a political propaganda pageant. I ask the members to understand the reaction in this context. There may have been better ways to object to the BDS presentation, but there is just no possibility of just staying quietly in my seat in the face of baseless and pointless demonization of my people.<br />
<br />Hate speech cannot be allowed. We will not accept presentations alleging the evil or inferiority of Muslims, women, blacks, gays, Mexicans, or any other group of people, even though plenty of ‘evidence’ and audio-visual material can always be found to ‘support’ any kind of such ‘claims’. Similarly, I cannot accept the demeaning caricature of my people - the vibrant and pluralistic liberal democracy of Israel - as a “colonial, apartheid power oppressing the indigenous people.”<br />
<br />How can we tell that the BDS presentation was an Israel-hate rally? Let’s examine:<br />
<br />Can the proposed boycott of Sodastream help anyone? No. The ‘success’ of this campaign will cause 500 Palestinian workers to lose well-paid jobs with benefits and promotion opportunities.<br />
<br />Do the Palestinians support this effort? No. The workers of Sodastream expressed themselves against this campaign and even Mahmud Abbas, the Palestinian president, is against BDS.<br />
<br />Did the presenting group make and effort to present a thoughtful and balanced approach to their issue? No. They recited ready-made propaganda material, cherry-picked information, out context facts and outright lies.<br />
<br />Does the boycotting Israeli products in general has any other merit in the cause of justice? No.<br />
<br />
Israel isn’t a colonial power, it does not practice apartheid, nor does it oppress any indigenous people. Zionism is a national liberation movement, whose greatest ‘fault’ is in creating a vibrant democracy in the Middle East.<br />
<br />
Still, can we help the Palestinians? Of course, we can and should, though positive actions such as the proposed purchasing of Palestinian olive oil, among other initiatives.<br />
<br />Lastly, we need to be clear about the harm done by BDS. Demonizing lectures about my people makes the coop a non-welcoming place to me as an Israeli Jew. I will not continue my membership in an organization, which is unjustly antagonistic towards my fellow Israelis. A bigger problem still, is the potential of demonization to lead to violence. The threat of terrorism against Jews and Israelis in particular is real. Armed guards are already the norm in synagogues, schools and camps. In Europe, where the lines between political opposition and Anti-Semitism have been largely erased, the situation is such that Jews are simply packing up and leaving. We do not wish to see a similar situation in Brooklyn.<br />
<br />I ask that the coop leadership find the organizational means to put a stop to the continued community-divisive tactics of BDS at the coop.<br />The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-18039687412985454242015-04-29T09:43:00.000-04:002015-04-29T09:43:39.155-04:00We Are Our Own Worst EnemyLast night BDS Round 2 began in earnest at the Park Slope Food Coop. In the fall, BDS team submitted this item for discussion at a General Meeting:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We propose that the Coop boycott SodaStream products, which are manufactured on an illegal Israeli settlement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.</blockquote>
Never mind that the plant at Mishor Adumim will stop production next week, and the discussion is meaningless, the group went on with its presentation of its item for discussion only, no vote. (See here for an <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2011/07/report-from-discussion-at-general.html" target="_blank">explanation of PSFC democracy.</a>)<br /><br />The presentation was the usual parade of unsubstantiated BDS lies that are easily refuted. The presentation also included slides of Israeli soldiers arresting people. Slides presented without context and not related to SodaStream.<br /><br />I am not proud of what happened next. I have a lot of criticisms to go around. But my harshest condemnations are for the people on my side.<br /><br />Spontaneous audible protests from the audience began. The boos turned into chants of "Take Down the Pictures."<br /><br />The Chair's call to order were ignored. People started getting out of their seats, and trying to block the screen and the projector. Shouting grew louder. Eventually, the Board of Directors came to the front of the room, and tried to call order. Finally, the General Manager spoke, and order was somewhat restored.<br /><br />The BDS group was allowed to continue the presentation. There was continued heckling from the audience. The disruption lasted at lest a half hour. There was a short comment period because time had run out for the meeting. <br /><br />This disruption was done by people I have known for years. People who were sitting near me. People who ignored me when I told them it was enough, it was time to stop.<br /><br />There are no excuses for this behavior. The people who did this, the people who wouldn't stop the shouting and the heckling, they need to apologize. Publicly. It was wrong. I apologize for any contribution I had towards this. <br /><br />There is a lot more to say about all of this, but that is for another time.The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-22732376520507384442015-03-10T00:41:00.001-04:002015-03-10T00:41:15.839-04:00Support anti-BDS Effort at Northwestern UniversityLast month, the Associated Student Government (ASG) Senate at Northwestern University <a href="http://dailynorthwestern.com/2015/02/19/campus/after-debate-associated-student-government-senate-narrowly-passes-nudivest-resolution-bds-divestment-northwestern/" target="_blank">narrowly passed</a> a <a href="http://www.northwesterndivest.com/#!events/cihc" target="_blank">resolution</a> asking the university to divest from 6 corporations that do business with Israel. The resolution is in support of the BDS movement. The resolution is symbolic and the university has not changed its policy on investments.<br />
<br />
I don't have a connection to Northwestern University, but a good friend who does has asked me to help circulate a letter expressing displeasure with the action of the ASG. Please read below. There is a link where you can add your name to sign the letter.<br />
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52602" style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">Dear Fellow Northwestern University Stakeholder,</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52605">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52604" style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">On
February 19th, the Associated Student Government (ASG) of NU
undergraduates passed a resolution, 24 to 22, calling on Northwestern
University to divest of investment in six corporations. This resolution
was proposed by NUDivest at the behest of the Boycott Divest and
Sanction Israel movement (BDS). While the resolution in itself does not
reflect official NU policy, it does send an unhealthy and dangerous
signal that the NU community supports the larger goals of BDS. Those
goals demonize the State of Israel without any context as to the
complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, do not recognize the
many human rights advances implemented by Israel, and overlook the human
rights abuses advanced in certain Palestinian communities. BDS is
forthright in its attempts to suppress discourse and impose an outcome.
BDS seeks to boycott academic exchanges with Israeli universities and
all commerce with Israel. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52623">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52625" style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">We are asking only those connected to the Northwestern community to sign on to the letter <a href="https://docs.google.com/a/u.northwestern.edu/forms/d/1r5NXiYAXUfSXT8uc53dDkcsWDEpoalys-pzmwzF2f44/viewform" target="_blank">via this link</a>.
The letter for your consideration is below. You will be asked on the
link to indicate your connection to NU either as a current student,
alum, faculty member (past or current), parent of a student or alum,
staff member, or donor.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_66747">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_66748" style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">We ask with gratitude that you forward this email to as many fellow Northwestern community members as you can.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_66749">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52611">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Sincerely,</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52610">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52615" style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Scott Shay, WCAS '79, KSM '80</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52606">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52614" style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Samantha Stankowicz, WCAS '14</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52609">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52613" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"> </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52608">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52612" style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">*******************************************************</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52607">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Dear ASG Student Senate Members,</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">We are heartbroken.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52621">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_57326" style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">On February 19th, the ASG passed a resolution endorsing a goal of the Boycott Divest and Sanction Israel (BDS) movement.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52617">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_52616" style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">We
encompass and represent the entire spectrum of those with opinions on
ways to resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict. None of us are happy
with the status quo. We all want an agreement that allows for all the
peoples in the area, whether they identify as Israeli or Arab or Jew or
Muslim or Christian or any combination, to have the freedom to live
lives of safety and security, peace, prosperity, and political
empowerment. However, we are united in knowing that the conflict will
never be resolved by the demonization of Israel or by brute sanction of
Israel. It will be solved only by the type of discussion and conflict
resolution which BDS would extinguish were it successful. NU has a proud
tradition of providing a safe space for people of differing views. The
implications of the resolution passed by ASG are a sad and tragic
departure from that purple tradition which we all cherish.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_66751">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_66750" style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">We,
the undersigned members of the NU community of all race, creed, color,
religion and gender definition, declare that the resolution that you
passed is not in our name.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"></span></div>
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425937080401_66753" style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">**By
signing this form you consent to being a signatory on this letter and
recognize this letter may be disseminated on social media or news
publications**</span>The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-3663476323116463122015-01-11T00:17:00.003-05:002015-01-11T11:06:30.460-05:00Sophistry<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Sophistry - [sof-uh-stree] n. Reasoning that appears sound but is misleading or fallacious.</blockquote>
Sophistry is a great word. I want to make this word popular.<br />
<br />
Sophistry possesses the gravitas missing from its famous yourger brother <a href="http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/63ite2/the-word---truthiness" target="_blank">truthiness</a>. I am particularly enamored of the word sophistry, not only for its meaning, but also because of its assonance with bigotry and dishonesty. I now have a new and improved BDS slogan - Bigotry, Dishonesty, Sophistry. But it only works if people know the word.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, actual sophistry is not very nice at all. It is difficult to identify, making it effective. The arguments presented supporting BDS are filled with sophistry. The logic is so convoluted it makes my head hurt. The wrong and incomplete information makes my blood boil. Even though written by people with high academic degrees, it is still sophistry.<br />
<br />
Sophistry must be identified to be countered. The essay collection <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Case-Against-Academic-Boycotts-Israel/dp/0990331601/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420985327&sr=1-1&keywords=case+against+academic+boycotts+of+israel" target="_blank"><u>The Case Against Academic Boycotts of Israel</u></a> edited by Cary Nelson and Gabriel Noah Brahm exposes the many sophistries currently being promoted in academia against Israel and Zionism. It is time to delegitimize the delegitimizers.<br />
The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-51654713238913576432014-02-24T22:52:00.004-05:002014-03-06T13:12:43.867-05:00StandWithUs Discusses the BDS MovementI will be featured in the 2nd of 3 internet video conversations about BDS.<br />
<br />
<b>Standing Up to BDS</b> - a 3-part live, interactive
roundtable discussion to
analyze the BDS movement and effective responses to its tactics, presented by StandWithUS (SWU). Viewers will be able to submit questions via live chat room.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>March 2, 2014 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrkzHFzULJ0" target="_blank">YouTube Video</a> BDS on the College Campus</li>
<li>March 9, 2014 12 noon (EDT) BDS and Community Business</li>
<li>March 16, 2014 12 noon (EDT) BDS and Academia </li>
</ul>
All 3 sessions will be moderated by Dr. Michael
Harris, community activist with StandWithUs San Francisco.<br />
<br />
Session speakers: <br />
BDS on the College Campus:<br />
<ul><ul>
<li>Brett Cohen,
SWU National Campus Program Director</li>
<li>Hen Mazzig, Campus Coordinator
SWU Northwest</li>
<li>Max Samarov, SWU research assistant.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
BDS and Community Business:<br />
<ul><ul>
<li>Rob Jacobs, director of StandWithUs Northwest</li>
<li>Barbara Mazor, one of the leaders of the successful effort to defeat the
BDS movement at the Park Slope Food Co-op in Brooklyn.</li>
<li>Roz Rothstein, StandWithUs founder </li>
</ul>
</ul>
BDS and Academia<br />
<ul><ul>
<li>Roberta Seid, director of
research for StandWithUs</li>
<li>Peggy Shapiro, Chicago community
coordinator for StandWithUs</li>
</ul>
</ul>
The real agenda of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS)
movement against Israel is the elimination of the
state of Israel. Learn how you can eliminate BDS, instead. <br />
<br />
<br />
The conferences will be conducted on the <a href="http://www.vonvo.com/" target="_blank">Vonvo</a> platform. It provides for video and audio feeds for up to 4 participants. Viewers can watch the conference at the <a href="http://www.vonvo.com/" target="_blank">Vonvo website</a>. If you log in at Vonvo with a Facebook login, then you can also type in questions and comments in the live chat room during the conference. Afterwards, the video will be available on YouTube; the channel in vonvodotcom.<br />
<br />
Vonvo is <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">best if using Chrome</span></span> or Firefox as your browser. <br />
<br />
Here is the link for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/464445546990072/?ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming" target="_blank">event at Facebook</a><br />
Here is the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Vonvodotcom" target="_blank">Vonvo page at Facebook.</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I hope you will be watching.<br />
<br />
<i>How to watch the event:</i> <i><br /> 1. Make sure you are using the browser Google Chrome or Firefox (preferably chrome)<br /> 2. Good internet connection on your COMPUTER (mobile doesn't work)<br /> 3. Login in with your Facebook account to actively participate (not required)</i> <i><br /> Directions:</i> <i><br /> 1. Go to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vonvo.com%2F&h=LAQFVQFuP&enc=AZOdXUowav_IXD2NvCf7YULSBtRu9Y8ndDcDcQ4ZfrW1MMJxuP-K1LirgS9BmPAYm_Xx57EgG8MuWbaj6HUBbl0YVWqp7xVfHuwh_eYJfLZp1P-wUFfeeYt6oC5i3y2STbnPzqy8ySVTkyYi22V4BSrf&s=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.vonvo.com</a> using Google Chrome<br /> 2. click the "log in with facebook" button and sign in<br /> 3. scroll down to the "StandWithUs" channel<br /> 4. click the "Join Live Vonvo" button (dropdown will appear)<br /> 5. click the "View Live Vonvo" button<br /> 6. enjoy the discussion!!</i><br />
<br /></div>
The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-34390212107755411522013-07-30T00:09:00.000-04:002013-08-04T02:11:43.712-04:00Stigmatizing anti-Semitic LanguageThis post is updated on Aug. 3, 2013.<br />
<br />
Last week I posted here in its entirety the essay <a href="http://theamericanscene.com/2013/04/29/why-good-societies-stigmatize-anti-semitic-language" target="_blank">Why Good Societies Stigmatize Anti-Semitic Language</a> by <a href="http://theamericanscene.com/archive/?author=Pascal-Emmanuel+Gobry" target="_blank">Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry</a> from a site called <a href="http://theamericanscene.com/"><i>The American Scene</i></a>. At the time, <i>The American Scene</i> was down. Now that the site is back up, and it is bad etiquette to reprint entire content from another site, I have edited the post to only have excerpts from the essay. You should read the whole thing because it is that good. I have added some of my own commentary and there is an interesting discussion in the comments section. All boldface is my own.<br />
<br />
Mr. Gobry begins:<br />
<blockquote>
Andrew Sullivan <a href="http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/2013/04/25/the-gun-lobby-the-israel-lobby-and-double-standards/">has noticed</a>
that some kinds of language that are sometimes used to criticize a
lobby like the NRA are not considered acceptable to use to criticize
Israel or “The Israel Lobby.” </blockquote>
Here is an example Andrew Sullivan uses: Why is it ok to say "Washington lawmakers’ obeisance to the gun lobby," but substituting "Israel" for "gun," is not ok? Mr. Gobry answers the reasons are obvious: <br />
<blockquote>
The first obvious reason is that gun owners are not an ethnic group.
In post-Enlightenment society, we recognize that people who are members
of a group by choice are more open to criticism for being part of that
group than people who are a member of that group by birth. I’m sure
Andrew is well aware of how the emergence of a consensus of
homosexuality as innate, and not chosen, has affected conversation about
the gay community. We would cringe if President Obama (or a white
Democratic politician, for that matter) was described as, say,
“pandering to the Black Lobby” for addressing the NAACP.<br />
<br />
The second obvious reason is that there is no record in history of a
totalitarian regime embarking on a plan to exterminate all gun owners
as a group and nearly succeeding, or of a major figure of a currently
existing thuggish regime calling for the extermination of gun owners, or
of a disturbing number of clerics of a major world religion calling for
holy war on gun owners, nor is there a constant drumbeat of examples of
gun owners, all over the world and for all of recorded history, being
victimized in various ways for being gun owners.<br />
<br />
The third obvious reason is that the language and ideology of gun
owners’ alleged behind-the-scenes political influence, itself standing
for a belief in their intrinsic malevolence and treacherousness, does
not have a centuries-long history of being used as a spur for
discrimination, mob violence, and massacres against gun owners. <br />
<br />
Our society, quite reasonably in my view, has developed a taboo
against the use of words associated with group hatred, as a way to
stigmatize said hatred. White people can’t use the n word in
contemporary polite American society because that word is associated
with the memory of white people who used that word and bought and sold
black people as chattel. The fact that it’s possible in theory to be a
Non-Racist White Person and still utter the n word is irrelevant—and
quite rightly so! And the taboo is all the stronger because there still
are white racists around who use the n word and want to hurt black
people. And we think it’s wrong. So we stigmatize it. <br />
<br />
By the same token, and for obvious reasons, it would not be received
in the same way if I wrote “Andrew Sullivan is gay” and if I wrote
“Andrew Sullivan is a fag.” If I wrote the latter and defended myself by
saying that I was only stating a fact, I would be ridiculed, for
obvious and good reason. The word “fag” is not considered noxious
because it refers to a gay person or because of the sound the syllable
makes, the word “fag” is considered noxious because it is a symbol and
instrument of group hatred. <br />
<br />
And expressions like “Jewish lobby”, which carries the anti-Semitic
trope that Jews are a shadowy clique that secretely controls the
government have been—for centuries, around the world, to this very day
in some places—<b>used as spurs to mass violence.</b> <br />
<br />
Now, does this mean that it’s “impossible” to criticize the State of
Israel, or America’s Middle Eastern policy, or AIPAC? Does it mean that
Chuck Hagel is a dhimmi or an anti-Semite? Of course not. Does it mean
that there are certain phrases that you may not use to be considered
civilized? Does it mean you shouldn’t write just quite the same way
about AIPAC—or the NAACP—as the NRA? Yes. Is this just? Absolutely. <br />
<br />
Period. <br />
<br />
And I could just leave it at that, but I’ll press on, because it is
(very) important and <b>I haven’t seen formally spelled out the argument
for the pressing duty of combating anti-Semitism in all its forms,
including rhetorical, including accidental.</b> In contemporary society,
when someone earnestly screws up about race, the opportunity to assert
moral superiority is so strong that the opportunity to explain is almost
never taken. <br />
<br />
<b>Taboos against using certain language against certain groups is
always tied to the violence that has been exercised against these
groups, because the language is seen, quite reasonably, as both
symbolizing and facilitating that violence. </b><br />
<br />
And so, just like it would be impossible to understand the
contemporary American taboo against the n word without understanding
slavery and Jim Crow, if we want to understand why we have taboos
against language that is redolent of anti-Semitism we need to talk about
the Holocaust.</blockquote>
Here there are several paragraphs about the horrific nature of the Shoah. Mr. Gobry asks "how is the
Holocaust relevant today" <br />
<blockquote>
There are several reasons why. The first and most obvious one is
that anti-Semitism is alive and well today, and eliminationist
anti-Semitism to boot.<br />
<br />
The second one, and also an aspect of the uniqueness of the
Holocaust, is that it was perpetrated by a society that could reasonably
be called the most advanced of its time.... [and Mr. Gobry elaborates.] <br />
<br />
The other reason why the Holocaust is very relevant today is that
for all the evil genius of Hitler and his acolytes, <b>it was enabled
precisely because of the pre-existence of anti-Semitism.</b> The
anti-Semitic tropes that the Nazis believed, used and reinforced have a
very long history—one that continues up to this day. In some corners of
the world, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion are still brisk sellers.
Not in America, of course—no, we’re above that. <br />
<br />
These anti-Semitic tropes—the idea of the plotting, scheming Jew, of
a Jewish Lobby which controls the government behind the scenes, of the
traitorous Jew who serves Zion and not his homeland—they were the
fertile terrain from which genocide could spring. And it is an
ever-fertile terrain: while the Holocaust obviously stands unique, Jews
have been the victims of anti-Semitic violence in every era, in every
country, down to this day. <b>And anti-Semitic tropes are the enabler and
the spur.</b> </blockquote>
Indeed, there is a connection between language to attitudes to actions. I agree with Mr. Gobry we should eschew the use anti-Semitic tropes. I fear we are being conditioned to see harm to Israel or even Jews as not all that tragic, as "didn't they deserve it anyway for being so evil?"<br />
<br />
I would also add one point when responding to Andrew Sullivan's initial inquiry. Sullivan is writing about comments on the gun lobby following the failure of the Senate to pass legislation
that would expand background checks on gun purchasers. The legislation had the <a href="http://www.pollingreport.com/guns.htm" target="_blank">support of nearly 2/3 of the American public</a>. Gun violence is definitely harmful to Americans. As the Senators voted against the wishes of their constituents, we can talk about "obeisance."<br />
<br />
However, <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/161387/americans-sympathies-israel-match-time-high.aspx" target="_blank">the sympathies of nearly 2/3 of Americans are with Israel</a>. The <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2011/11/israel-and-us-more.html" target="_blank">benefits of the US-Israel relationship</a> are well documented. Congressional support for Israel is consonant with the wishes of the American people. Using the word "obeisance" would be a mischaracterization, to say the least.<br />
The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-65795337757540446052013-07-01T22:55:00.000-04:002013-07-01T22:55:45.019-04:00Opposing Normalization Means Opposing PeaceEver since the vote on the BDS referendum was defeated in March 2012, one pro-BDS Coop member has faithfully submitted a letter to every issue of the <i>Linewaiters' Gazette,</i> the bi-weekly newspaper of the Park Slope Food Coop. She usually collects material from Electronic Intifada. This past issue was no exception. She drew her material from Asa Winstanley's report on the Fourth National Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Conference held last month at Bethlehem University. (No, I am not going to link to it.)
<br />
<br />
I am indebted to her for undisputedly making clear to us that the BDS Movement is an opponent of peace between Israelis and Palestinians.<br />
<br />
Genuine peace makers demonstrate the commitment to peace and justice by working to "normalize" the relationships between people previously in conflict. They work to establish sustainable peace by addressing root causes of conflict through reconciliation, institution building, and political and economic transformation. Peace builders will find ways to increase cooperative contacts between opponents, open channels of communication, get people involved in joint projects, break down stereotypes, and reduce prejudice and discrimination. The goal of all of these efforts is reconciliation – getting the people to accept each other as part of their own group or be reconciled to mutual co-existence and tolerance.<br />
<br />
In no uncertain terms, she makes clear that BDS opposes the processes that lead to reconciliation and end of conflict. She describes a session on strategies to combat normalization. BDS rejects all cultural, academic, economic, environmental and social cooperation with Israel. Peace building initiatives such as dialogue with Israelis, travel to Israel, and scholarships to Israeli universities were denounced. By opposing normalization, BDS works to undermine support for the Palestinian Authority (PA) to reach a political agreement with Israel. Indeed, BDS even opposes the PA’s security coordination with Israel. In other words, BDS does not want the PA to engage in the prevention of terrorist attacks against Israel.<br />
<br />
BDSers claim normalization is offered as a substitute for a political settlement, and therefore they oppose it. They ignore the fact that creating personal relationships is a necessary condition for finding solutions based on mutual respect and recognition that can lead to successful and lasting ends of conflict.
The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-59656369287351283432013-06-02T23:32:00.000-04:002013-06-02T23:32:38.714-04:00 Celebrate Israel Parade - 2013Today I attended the Celebrate Israel Parade in New York City. It was wonderful and uplifting. I spend far too much time reading all the horrible things the Israel-haters and the Jew-haters say. Today was a day for sharing with the tens of thousands who support Israel. You could feel the love. Here are a few pictures I took. I tried to get the unusual or the interesting.<br />
<br />
I love seeing the flags waving as the marchers carry them up Fifth Avenue. The United States flag together with Israel's flag.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGSnJ51Yrt7mB2lX62xgQaxydw0V4Dus7LcIgG1A9rna7Nl3GwRG0hGQZoBv-QC_5gY81nlJjRD3nhUTvA09fXHvjgzs2FWvd7fAxXdLAptHD-wROYooEcZHfzhFz9wTPxG-YutuwI5kB/s1600/IMG142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGSnJ51Yrt7mB2lX62xgQaxydw0V4Dus7LcIgG1A9rna7Nl3GwRG0hGQZoBv-QC_5gY81nlJjRD3nhUTvA09fXHvjgzs2FWvd7fAxXdLAptHD-wROYooEcZHfzhFz9wTPxG-YutuwI5kB/s320/IMG142.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUW70_f9hPUw-Z0QmOQbPQuavyKNBim817tUPbznqIW70KnKxkwWMwc1qGRd9yk-SzrMRIQ8NVJHDcoIjOd_reY6xuvqcJxWTWUjlgFKki2TxDuBG_Ps82fYYWF9YX-1MdS5Tlbk80ehv/s1600/IMG145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUW70_f9hPUw-Z0QmOQbPQuavyKNBim817tUPbznqIW70KnKxkwWMwc1qGRd9yk-SzrMRIQ8NVJHDcoIjOd_reY6xuvqcJxWTWUjlgFKki2TxDuBG_Ps82fYYWF9YX-1MdS5Tlbk80ehv/s320/IMG145.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, I tweeted:<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
When I see all Israeli and American flags <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23togetheronfifth">#togetheronfifth</a> I remember how much <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23BDS">#BDS</a> also hates America.<br />
— Barbara Mazor (@StopBDS_PSFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/StopBDS_PSFC/status/341255511498440704">June 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br />
In addition to the synagogues, federations and Jewish schools, I saw this group "Christians and Churches of NYC"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy953_C1v6AZt9LemQI-trnkXuM3y6o-8_qwzOIGUAxws3U2rUi0a1SDPU3IVsyfMY_tDbm-Cuy-VVfCAfVr-cBFOSp9xzKrGsmfoLQPgC_mWjWr26U-tswgdlbMQSnFX8wQZ3rXLyDy2G/s1600/IMG138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy953_C1v6AZt9LemQI-trnkXuM3y6o-8_qwzOIGUAxws3U2rUi0a1SDPU3IVsyfMY_tDbm-Cuy-VVfCAfVr-cBFOSp9xzKrGsmfoLQPgC_mWjWr26U-tswgdlbMQSnFX8wQZ3rXLyDy2G/s320/IMG138.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />
These dancers are part of a Cyrus-Israel friendship group:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWrJORRvT7ufViiwnTszzN-zwf8Dnge2tvEPHvbcA13QVp25phx_se_oqlb33o_P5AZXo5MVayZsIeOmEjT_4XlhykbNrbYIoi3MjQ1KQ7NY1miDI5c7F6_C6LsJh9bFf02OgDxc4rEGY/s1600/IMG128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWrJORRvT7ufViiwnTszzN-zwf8Dnge2tvEPHvbcA13QVp25phx_se_oqlb33o_P5AZXo5MVayZsIeOmEjT_4XlhykbNrbYIoi3MjQ1KQ7NY1miDI5c7F6_C6LsJh9bFf02OgDxc4rEGY/s320/IMG128.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Hey, look at that camel on Fifth Avenue!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYK_lJMQJ4IPCqh6Gy8ThyphenhypheniDF_443U9nSswAsrlGn6r_sEmCdlYvf8X2ckuABficRYaJYokk_6jdipJ-4Eyd7EO23EeepOTknfZY-mvcLTSnZW5Vq4RgHK5A3frsDHuOhVM8H9HnV7hBzI/s1600/IMG141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYK_lJMQJ4IPCqh6Gy8ThyphenhypheniDF_443U9nSswAsrlGn6r_sEmCdlYvf8X2ckuABficRYaJYokk_6jdipJ-4Eyd7EO23EeepOTknfZY-mvcLTSnZW5Vq4RgHK5A3frsDHuOhVM8H9HnV7hBzI/s320/IMG141.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />
In your face, QAIA. LGBT Jews and Allies Celebrate Israel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3SJmr0nb1suM72a9wJMzg4hYy00rBcLP2iQAEP9SrXXJTKnld8C__jDyUGgkPlyWtXVztFrsh0JZn7ITZFxbwwXu3T287kKk-fqV3UuASjB2wNSemLgYhsqZO4Mp2O8VdWYSJWY_L9RR/s1600/IMG143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3SJmr0nb1suM72a9wJMzg4hYy00rBcLP2iQAEP9SrXXJTKnld8C__jDyUGgkPlyWtXVztFrsh0JZn7ITZFxbwwXu3T287kKk-fqV3UuASjB2wNSemLgYhsqZO4Mp2O8VdWYSJWY_L9RR/s320/IMG143.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaY2GhgpxYWRNLrb0ZDTTi1XzjTASkdxolUEFvNUZb1TS9l4EiHga65zY8oWaid3gTq2-bzpRZB_V9_0Gf8QuoszhfwAkSnJujIPqRh2LHcI74bOtiTM4OSfPdp1kYo2G20Evd5RvPfKf1/s1600/IMG144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaY2GhgpxYWRNLrb0ZDTTi1XzjTASkdxolUEFvNUZb1TS9l4EiHga65zY8oWaid3gTq2-bzpRZB_V9_0Gf8QuoszhfwAkSnJujIPqRh2LHcI74bOtiTM4OSfPdp1kYo2G20Evd5RvPfKf1/s320/IMG144.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-34883853643052021432013-05-23T21:15:00.000-04:002013-05-23T21:15:14.936-04:0010 Features of Left Anti-SemitismIf you do any kind of Israel advocacy reading on the internet, you will eventually stumble upon the remarkable efforts of Adam Levick and others at <a href="http://cifwatch.com/">CiF Watch</a>. CiF refers to "Comment is Free," the website of the British leftist newspaper The Guardian. If you think the things that were written in the Park Slope Food Coop were bad, they are nothing compared to what is regularly said in the United Kingdoms.<br />
<br />
One of the most frustrating things about opposing BDS is that the people who support it see themselves as progressives. If you point out that their position is inherently anti-Semitic, they deny anti-Semitism saying "criticism of Israel is not anti-Semitic" and accuse you of trying to stifle debate. They truly don't see themselves as anti-Semitic and actually get quite irritated when you suggest anti-Semitism.<br />
<br />
Even though the <a href="http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/fs/2010/122352.htm" target="_blank">U.S. State Department has a definition of anti-Semitism</a>, the editors of the Linewaiters' Gazette - the biweekly newspaper of the Park Slope Food Coop - seem to be unable to make the distinction, and recognize when their own editorial guidelines have been crossed. But it is hard to fault them. It is a volunteer job and they shouldn't be expected to be experts on the Middle East.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, for the sake of anyone who doesn't want to be anti-Semitic, Adam Levick has created this handy guide of 10 common pseudo-progressive, hypocritical tropes that come from the left when discussing Israel. Here is his list, and I can illustrate an instance of every single one of these from either letters in the Linewaiters Gazette, statements on the PSFC-BDS website or things said in the Coop. Maybe I will even have the time to do it one day.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ol>
<li>You claim the mantle of human rights yet find yourself <a href="http://cifwatch.com/cif-contributors/seumas-milne/" target="_blank">running interference</a> for anti-Semitic world leaders and <a href="http://cifwatch.com/2012/11/19/comment-is-free-publishes-an-essay-by-a-hamas-leader-again/" target="_blank">helping to spread the propaganda</a> of <a href="http://cifwatch.com/2012/04/19/the-guardian-raed-salah-and-yom-hashoah/" target="_blank">Islamist extremists</a> - and even terrorist leaders who openly call for the murder of Jews. </li>
<br />
<li>You claim to condemn racism at every opportunity yet are strangely silent or seriously downplay even the
most egregious examples of <a href="http://cifwatch.com/2012/03/26/jew-hatred-what-jew-hatred-a-tale-of-two-guardian-editorials-on-the-toulouse-shootings/" target="_blank">antisemitic violence.</a></li>
<br />
<li>You claim to be a champion of progressive politics yet often use <a href="http://cifwatch.com/2012/11/29/cst-report-on-antisemitic-discourse-slams-the-guardian-singles-out-orr-and-mcgreal/" target="_blank">terms and advance</a> tropes <a href="http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-guardian-and-glenn-greenwald-the-anti-imperialism-of-fools/" target="_blank">indistinguishable from</a> classic <a href="http://cifwatch.com/2013/05/21/glenn-greenwald-doubles-down-on-claim-that-pro-israel-factions-nixed-massad-essay/" target="_blank">right wing Judeophobia</a> - such as the argument that Jews are too powerful, <a href="http://cifwatch.com/2012/09/07/the-guardians-ewan-macaskill-and-jewish-money/" target="_blank">use their money</a> to control politics, and <a href="http://www.propagandistmag.com/2010/03/01/glenn-greenwald-keeps-ugly-calumny-alive" target="_blank">are not loyal citizens.</a></li>
<br />
<li>You support nationalism, and don’t have a problem with the existence of<a href="http://www.oic-oci.org/" target="_blank"> more than 50 Muslim states</a>, yet you <a href="http://cifwatch.com/2012/11/04/the-end-of-israel-will-have-to-wait-on-the-patient-anti-zionism-of-the-guardian-left/" target="_blank">oppose</a> the<a href="http://cifwatch.com/2012/08/23/the-use-of-asajews-like-antony-lerman-to-legitimize-one-state-solution-proposals-is-shameful/" target="_blank"> existence</a> of the only <a href="http://cifwatch.com/cif-contributors/ben-white/" target="_blank">Jewish</a> state in the world.</li>
<br />
<li>Even when putatively condemning antisemitism you can’t help but <a href="http://www.counterpunch.org/2002/06/18/is-it-possible-to-understand-the-rise-in-anti-semitism/" target="_blank">blame the Jews </a>for <b><i>causing</i></b> <a href="http://cifwatch.com/2012/07/09/more-equal-than-others-comment-is-free-contributor-mehdi-hasan-is-not-a-victim/" target="_blank">antisemitism.</a></li>
<br />
<li>You condemn the Holocaust yet also obsessively <a href="http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:A-qNnk5LxykJ:www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/howard-jacobson/howard-jacobson-ludicrous-brainwashed-prejudice-2273774.html+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=il" target="_blank">condemn living Jews</a> for their alleged ‘inhumanity’ and even argue <a href="http://www.thejc.com/comment-and-debate/comment/70466/turn-vile-claim-its-head" target="_blank"> that Jews</a> haven’t <a href="http://cifwatch.com/2013/01/26/turn-david-wards-vile-charge-on-its-head/" target="_blank">learned</a><a href="http://cifwatch.com/2013/01/26/turn-david-wards-vile-charge-on-its-head/" target="_blank"> the proper lessons</a> from the attempt to annihilate their co-religionists from the planet.</li>
<br />
<li>You not only support Palestinian rights, but <a href="http://cifwatch.com/2012/11/20/the-guardians-seumas-milne-defends-palestinians-right-to-kill-israelis/" target="_blank">support their “right” to launch deadly terrorist attacks</a> on Israeli Jews, under the mantle of anti-imperialist ”resistance”.</li>
<br />
<li>You<a href="http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/judith-butler-renounce-the-adorno-prize/" target="_blank"> characterize</a> extremist reactionary Islamist movements as “<a href="http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/blog/michael-j-totten/anti-imperialism-fools" target="_blank">progressive</a>“.</li>
<br />
<li>You accuse Jews of cynically <a href="http://cifwatch.com/2011/09/18/another-cif-columnist-blames-jewish-lobby-in-the-u-s-for-stifling-debate-about-israel/" target="_blank"> misusing the charge</a> of antisemitism to “ <a href="http://cifwatch.com/2013/02/05/glenn-greenwalds-smears-distortions-and-lies-about-brooklyn-college-bds-row/comment-page-1/" target="_blank">stifle</a>” <a href="http://engageonline.wordpress.com/2010/10/05/david-hirsh-the-livingstone-formulation/" target="_blank">debate</a> about the Jewish state.
</li>
<br />
<li>You champion diversity and multiculturalism of all kinds, yet <a href="http://cifwatch.com/2011/10/21/on-the-explicit-antisemitism-of-the-guardians-deborah-orr/" target="_blank">suggest</a> that <i>Jewish</i> particularism represents an inherently <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/06/syria-israel-bombing-moral-relativism" target="_blank">tribal</a>, <a href="http://cifwatch.com/2012/08/01/rachel-shabi-reveals-the-hidden-truth-about-superiority-complex-racist-jews/comment-page-1/" target="_blank">ethnocentric and racist</a> identity.</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<br />
You should read the <a href="http://cifwatch.com/2013/05/22/top-10-warning-signs-you-may-be-a-guardian-left-anti-semite/comment-page-1/#comment-118842" target="_blank">original article and comments</a> at the CiF Watch blog.The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-71820355824510082752013-05-12T16:28:00.000-04:002013-05-12T16:29:55.828-04:00Does Food Coop Membership Determine Your Politics?Sometimes they say "The Food Coop is inherently political." Sometimes they say "Food is inherently political." They will say it as a justification for promoting and seeking Coop endorsement of a particular cause.<br />
<br />
But is such a statement true? Indeed, does it even have any meaning?<br />
<br />
The definition of inherent: "Existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute."<br />
<br />
The definition of political: "Of or relating to the ideas or strategies of a particular party or group in politics. Having or influenced by partisan interests."<br />
<br />
Can food have a partisan interest? No. Food is an essential human need.<br />
<br />
How about the Food Coop? Well, it might have a partisan interest regarding things directly related to its operation, such as the traffic on Union Street. But is a diverse Coop membership not entitled to a diversity of views and allegiances? If the Coop is "political," then exactly which politics <b>must</b> it support?<br />
<br />
The Park Slope Food Coop makes high quality food available at lower prices to anyone who is willing to put in about 30 hours of a labor a year. <span style="color: red;"></span>It also strives to purchase from local farmers and producers. And it tries to use and encourage the use of the most environmentally friendly practices. <br />
<br />
But here comes the jump in logic. Because the Food Coop does all these things, is it also obligated to lend support to any cause that a member claims is consistent with the Coop's mission? The promoters of various causes would say "yes."<br />
<br />
Later today, Sunday, the Food Coop is hosting an event titled "You and Your Food" described as:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Coop is a great place for delicious, inexpensive food, and it’s also
where we can talk about the politics behind what we eat. Food
sovereignty, environmental racism, water supply threats, labor
struggles, urban agriculture initiatives, geopolitical issues,
international solidarity—these forces are inevitably mixed into what we
put on our plates. What are our opportunities and <b>responsibilities</b> as
New Yorkers, as consumers, and <b>as Coop members</b>? Come participate in a
lively and diverse discussion.</blockquote>
Are they to tell us we have <b>responsibilities</b> beyond our monthly work contribution to support their particular causes because we are Coop members and they say so?<br />
<br />
There are differences between an interest, a privilege, a right and an obligation. Anyone can have an interest in using the Coop to promote a particular cause. However, it is a privilege, not a right to do so. The Coop is not obligated to provide its support. It is not even obligated to provide a platform. And certainly the membership is not obligated to agree.<br />
<br />
Should the Coop allow the promotion of any cause by any member? Or should it have some criteria before allowing the use of its facilities?<br />
<br />
Tonight's program will include an anti-fracking advocate, a labor advocate, an urban farming advocate and a sustainable food advocate. They will be sharing the panel with one of the Coop's BDS activists. The wording of the program implies the mutual endorsements of all parties.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2012/01/peace-makers-and-normalization.html" target="_blank">BDS is not pro-peace</a>. <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2011/08/who-is-bds-and-what-is-its-goal-part-i.html" target="_blank">BDS is a racist movement that denies self-determination to the Jewish people.</a> <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2013/01/exhibit-1-khader-adnan.html" target="_blank">BDS provides support and coverage to terrorists.</a> BDS is hypocritical in its very essence, <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2012/02/great-concern-of-bds-movement-for-human.html" target="_blank">selectively ignoring human rights issues</a>. BDS does nothing for the well-being of Palestinians. <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2012/01/is-bds-progressive-cause.html" target="_blank">BDS is not a progressive cause.</a> <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-bds-continues-to-harm-park-slope.html" target="_blank">Association with BDS undermines credibility.</a><br />
<br />
Once again, BDS in their own words.<br />
<br />
<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ifZLk6Ei9-U?version=3&feature=player_detailpage">
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
<param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always">
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ifZLk6Ei9-U?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="500" height="360"></object><br />
<br />
<br />The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-36748635897019180572013-05-03T10:27:00.000-04:002013-05-03T10:27:14.288-04:00How BDS Continues to Harm the Park Slope Food Coop and Our CommunityI admit I understand very little about the economics of the health care system.<br />
<br />
Long Island College Hospital (LICH) loses a lot of money and is being considered for closing. According to the May 3 <a href="http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/02/park-slope-food-co-op-takes-up-new-cause-saving-a-hospital/">New York Times City Room blog:</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
LICH is run by SUNY Downstate Medical Center, part of the State
University of New York, which has said the hospital is losing so much
money it is threatening the rest of the medical center. SUNY officials
have also noted that many of the affluent residents of northern Brooklyn
prefer to seek medical care in the more prestigious Manhattan
hospitals, leaving LICH dependent on poorer patients whose government
health insurance — if they have it — pays less than private insurance
plans.</blockquote>
It seems to me that hospital is being used - just not used by the "right" people. It also seems to me that a way should be found to save the hospital so that is can continue to serve Brooklyn. Apparently, the Park Slope Food Coop has put its reputation behind supporting efforts to save the hospital, as the Times reports: <a href="http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/02/park-slope-food-co-op-takes-up-new-cause-saving-a-hospital/">Park Slope Food Co-op Takes Up New Cause: Saving a Hospital.</a> All that is good.<br />
<br />
Now I would think a newspaper article should provide me with some relevant information so I could be informed about the issues regarding LICH. Actually, I would have had to read down 4 paragraphs until I found the one above which describes the core issue of LICH's problems.<br />
<br />
So just how did the Israel-obsessed New York Times open the post?<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Park Slope Food Co-op, which fought a veritable civil war <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/28/nyregion/park-slope-food-co-op-to-decide-on-boycott-vote.html">over whether to boycott Israeli products</a>, has taken on a new cause célèbre: the fight to save <a href="http://www.downstate.edu/lich/">Long Island College Hospital</a>.</blockquote>
<br />
"The Park Slope Food Co-op (spelled wrong by the Times) has joined the fight to save LICH," is the only relevant informations that should be in the lede. Instead, a worthy and serious cause is mocked as "a new cause célèbre." The Coop - where only 650 out 16,000 members voted in favor of the Israel boycott referendum (which was soundly defeated by our efforts one year ago) - is smeared as a bastion of support for the anti-Semitic, terrorist-sympathizing, Israel-eradicating BDS movement. The Times manages to link supporting LICH and the Coop with supporting BDS. Way to go.<br />
<br />
If you want to be taken seriously for your community actions, then carefully consider the bedfellows you keep.The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-63412139642299127052013-02-17T16:36:00.000-05:002013-02-17T18:53:47.162-05:00What is Right to Speak?While it might be nice to say <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2013/02/should-hate-speech-be-permitted-on.html" target="_blank">hate-speech should be excluded from the college campus</a>, it is pretty hard to get people to agree to what constitutes hate speech. No one ever comes along and says, “Hey. I am going to rouse the crowd into hating a particular group.” One admits to engaging in “criticism” or “speaking truth to power.”<br />
<br />
I would like to suggest what I believe to be a better, more objective rubric to be used to determine what should or shouldn’t enjoy the platform offered by the college campus or any other responsible civic organization: honesty.<br />
<br />
A presentation should be honest in 3 ways: explicitly, implicitly and intellectually.<br />
<br />
Explicitly honest means a presentation is factually correct. I think this is pretty straight forward.<br />
<br />
Implicitly honest means that important context and historical information is included. Here is an example:
<br />
<blockquote>
A team of several masked, well-armed men break into a man’s home in the middle of the night and shoot him in front of his family. As they leave, they steal his computers.</blockquote>
You are probably feeling one way about the victim. Now I tell you that I have just described the killing of Osama Bin Laden. Context changes everything.<br />
<br />
Finally, intellectually honest means that conclusions and opinions are supported by the evidence, that counter evidence is not ignored, but can be explained, that cause and effect are not reversed, that correlation is not confused with causation, etc.<br />
<br />
It seems to me this standard could be applied to any presentation, controversial or not. As far as I remember, it was the standard for scholarship back when I went to college. Maybe it could be used to determine what makes a "contribution to the intellectual life of the campus" and should be part of "the open and free exchange of ideas."<br />
<br />
How does BDS fit into this? That is for next time. The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-26825403569374620412013-02-13T23:03:00.000-05:002013-02-13T23:03:04.269-05:00Should Hate Speech Be Permitted on the College Campus?Should "academic freedom" include hate speech? Should hate speech be permitted on the college campus? Should a college department co-sponsor hate speech? Can hate speech be a "contribution to the intellectual life of the
campus" and part of "the open and free exchange of ideas"?<br />
<br />
Two views:<br />
<br />
Judith Butler is unequivocal.
<a href="http://www.thenation.com/article/172752/judith-butlers-remarks-brooklyn-college-bds">In her remarks at Brooklyn College</a> she says:
<br />
<blockquote>
“If BDS is hate speech, then it is surely not protected speech, and it would surely not be appropriate for any institution of higher learning to sponsor or <b>make room</b> for such speech.”</blockquote>
and
<br />
<blockquote>
“So in the first case [BDS as hate speech], it is not a viewpoint (and so not protected as extra-mural speech),”</blockquote>
Butler excludes hate speech from not only from college sponsorship, but even from use of the college facilities.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, Abe Foxman of ADL, <a href="http://archive.adl.org/nytimes_ads/NYT-Ad-BrooklynCollege-2-8-13.pdf" target="_blank">in a paid advertisement on the New York Times Op-Ed page</a>, insists "even hate-filled
voices have a right to be heard." Foxman does not object to a student group hosting BDS, but rather to the Political Science Department adding its co-sponsorship. Foxman objects to sponsorship "because it inherently creates the
perception that the views expressed at the event
are endorsed by the sponsor." Sponsorship gives the event "an added degree of legitimacy and credibility
that is unwarranted." So, Foxman offers a resolution:<br />
<blockquote>
First, students have a
right to invite whom they want. Second, officials of the
university, however, should not lend the good name of
the university to such hate by sponsoring or giving its
seal of approval to such appearances.<br />
<br />
And third, when students invite hateful speakers—
which they have the right to do—university presidents
would do well to use their bully pulpits to reject those
messages of hate and anti-Semitism.
</blockquote>
Both agree the college should not endorse hate speech. Butler would even exclude a student group from using college facilities for a hate event, whereas Foxman would permit it.<br />
<br />
Of course, this doesn't resolve the question of how to identify hate speech. That is for next time.The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-17217302049836113322013-02-10T03:41:00.000-05:002013-02-10T13:40:50.967-05:00Brooklyn College BDS Wrap UpIn a week when more than <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_Syrian_civil_war" target="_blank">1200 people were killed in the Syrian Civil War</a> and at least 25 people were killed in Iraq in the <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/04/us-iraq-violence-idUSBRE91308T20130204" target="_blank">7th</a> and <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/05/us-iraq-violence-idUSBRE91308T20130205" target="_blank">8th</a> suicide terror attacks there since the beginning of the year, it seems an inordinate amount of media attention was focused on the speaking engagement of Omar Barghouti and Judith Butler at Brooklyn College. Controversy erupted when it became known that the college's Political Science Department signed on as a co-sponsor of the student organized event to promote the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement against Israel.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.algemeiner.com/2013/01/30/dershowitz-challenges-brooklyn-college-to-invite-him-to-speak-at-bds-event/" target="_blank">Alan Dershowitz framed the issue like this:</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“I am not opposed to students sponsoring an event like this. Students
have the right to be foolish and damn fools and immoral. What I’m
opposed to is the political department sponsoring and endorsing the BDS.
The BDS includes the blacklisting of Jewish professors from Israel, and
that’s illegal, immoral and racist. An academic department should not
be taking sides in this debate.”</blockquote>
But <a href="http://chronicle.com/blogs/conversation/2013/02/05/a-melee-grows-in-brooklyn/" target="_blank">according to the Political Science Department Head, Paisley Currah</a>:(all emphasis mine)<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Last month the political-science department at Brooklyn College, which I
chair, was asked to either <b>cosponsor or endorse</b> a panel discussion on
the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement organized by a
student group, Students for Justice in Palestine. We decided to <b>
cosponsor</b> the event....</blockquote>
Is it inappropriate for an academic department to be a co-sponsor? Professor Currah answers: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The department has a long
history of cosponsoring student-initiated events, regardless of the
popularity of the perspectives presented or its perceived political
message. Until now no one has found fault with this practice....<br />
<br />
<b>By cosponsoring student-initiated events, we’re not endorsing the
ideas expressed.</b> <b>We’re not providing money. </b>What we are doing is
acknowledging students’ contributions to the intellectual life of the
campus and supporting the open and free exchange of ideas.<br />
<br />
And there’s no political litmus test. In my 18 years at Brooklyn
College, I cannot recollect our department turning down a single
cosponsorship request.</blockquote>
No endorsement.<br />
<br />
Local politicians weighed in, as well. The opinions on the event varied: cancel the event, withdraw the cosponsorship, provide an opposing view, don't interefere with academic freedom. But, ALL condemned the BDS movement.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://politicker.com/2013/02/bloomberg-suggests-north-korea-as-a-home-for-brooklyn-college-critics/" target="_blank">Mayor Bloomberg:</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Well look, I couldn’t disagree more violently
with BDS as they call it, Boycott Divestment and Sanctions. As you know I’m a
big supporter of Israel, as big a one as you can find in the city, but I could
also not agree more strongly with an academic department’s right to sponsor a
forum on any topic that they choose.</blockquote>
Four local Congressional representatives, 7 State legislators, and 8 New York City officials <a href="http://nadler.house.gov/press-release/progressive-brooklyn-and-citywide-elected-officials%E2%80%99-and-leaders%E2%80%99-letter-regarding" target="_blank">wrote to Brooklyn College President Karen Gould</a>,:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We collectively believe that the BDS movement is a wrongheaded and
destructive one, and an obstacle to our collective hope for a peaceful
two-state solution. These simplistic and one-sided approaches do a
disservice to the cause of peace and stability by unfairly placing blame
entirely on one side, and by attempting to delegitimize one party on
the world stage, and will do nothing to bring either party back to
earnest negotiations or enhance a better understand of complexity of
this conflict. </blockquote>
President Gould responded in an email to college staff, faculty and students affirming "<a href="http://mitchell-langbert.blogspot.com/2013/02/getting-academic-freedom-not-quite-right.html" target="_blank">a steadfast commitment to academic freedom with a commitment to ongoing dialogue and debate.</a>" She concluded her letter saying:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Finally, to those who have voiced concern that our decision to uphold
the rights of our students and faculty signals an endorsement of the
speakers' views, I say again that nothing could be further from the
truth. Moreover, I assure you that our college does not endorse the BDS
movement nor support its call for boycott, divestment, and sanctions
against Israel. As the official host of the CUNY center for study
abroad in Israel, our college has a proud history of engagement with
Israel and Israeli universities. In fact, over the past two years we
have renewed our efforts to reconnect with existing institutional
partners and to develop new relationships as well for faculty and
student exchanges with Israeli institutions. We deeply value our
Israeli partners and would not endorse any action that would imperil the
State of Israel or its citizens, many of whom are family members and
friends of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and neighbors.</blockquote>
<a href="http://www1.cuny.edu/mu/forum/2013/01/31/statement-by-chancellor-matthew-goldstein-the-city-university-of-new-york-thursday-january-31-2013/#.UQrOBYS6W14.facebook" target="_blank">And the Chancellor of the City University of New York, Matthew Goldstein</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I personally abhor and am appalled by the aims of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement."</blockquote>
There is one ironic footnote, however. President Gould stated in her letter:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
...it is essential that Brooklyn College remain an
engaged and civil learning environment where all views may be expressed
<b>without fear of intimidation or reprisal</b>. As I stated last week, we
encourage debate, discussion, and more debate. Students and faculty
should explore these and other issues from multiple viewpoints and in a
variety of forums so that no single perspective serves as the only basis
for consideration. ...
<br />
<br />
...In addition to
Thursday evening's event, at which<b> I encourage those with opposing
views to participate in the discussion and ask tough questions</b>, other
forums will present alternative perspectives for consideration. The
college welcomes participation from any groups on our campus that may
wish to help broaden the dialogue. At each of these events, please keep
in mind that students, faculty, staff, and guests are expected to treat
one another with respect at all times, even when they strongly
disagree.</blockquote>
According to reports in the <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/4-jews-tossed-bds-meet-article-1.1259347" target="_blank">New York Daily News</a> and <a href="http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/123792/pro-israel-students-ousted-from-bds-event" target="_blank">Tablet Magazine</a> some Jewish attendees, including the Daily News reporter who wore a yarmulke, were asked to leave or were not admitted, even though they had confirmed a reservations.<br />
<br />
<br />The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-18088836424824339112013-01-20T23:00:00.000-05:002013-01-20T23:00:50.404-05:00Exhibit #1 - Khader AdnanKhader Adnan is a senior member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), an Islamist terror organization. According to the <a href="http://www.cfr.org/israel/palestinian-islamic-jihad/p15984" target="_blank">Council on Foreign Relations</a>: <br />
<blockquote>
Designated as a U.S. State Department terrorist organization in 1997, the PIJ targets Israeli civilian and military personnel in its commitment to the creation of an Islamic regime in “all of historic Palestine,” <br />
<br />
The PIJ advocates the destruction of Israel through violent means; it approaches the Arab-Israeli conflict as an ideological war, not a territorial dispute. PIJ members see violence as the only way to remove Israel from the Middle East map and reject any two-state arrangement in which Israel and Palestine coexist.</blockquote>
PIJ is responsible for dozens of suicide bomber attacks inside Israel. It has recruited children for suicide missions. PIJ operatives fired hundreds of rockets from Gaza at Israeli civilians in 2012. <br />
<br />
This video of Khader Adnan was filmed at the funeral of one of PIJ's senior commanders in October 2007.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="288" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CtPQ4EqePqw?feature=player_embedded" width="512"></iframe>
<br />
You can watch it with subtitles or just read the transcript:
<br />
<blockquote>
O Quds Brigades, Strike a blow!<br />
O Quds Brigades, Shake the earth!<br />
Who among you is "Hasan Abu Zeid"?*<br />
Who among you is the next suicide bomber?<br />
Who among you will carry the next explosive belt?<br />
Who among you will fire the next bullets?<br />
Who among you will have his body parts blown all over?
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Suicide bomber who murdered 5 Israelis in Hadera in October 2005.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
So, why would a supporter of the "non-violent" BDS movement write in a March 8, 2012, Linewaiters' Gazette member contribution to "please think about Khadar [sic] Adnan" when voting on the BDS referendum?<br />
<br />
The author, Tara, identifies Adnan only as "on his 62nd day of hunger strike protesting Israel’s detention of him without charge or trial." Tara doesn't mention his ties to the terrorist group responsible for the murders of scores of innocent Israelis.<br />
<br />
Israel uses administrative detention when an imminent risk to the
country’s security is believed to exist. The process is conducted under full judicial review by Israel’s military and the Supreme Court. European countries and the United States use administrative detention, as well. The process is <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/02/24/palestinian-hunger-striker-khader-adnan-is-no-hero.html" target="_blank">legal under international law</a>, according to the fourth Geneva Convention, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the European Convention on Human Rights.<br />
<br />
Was Tara unaware of Adnan's connection to PIJ or did she intentionally conceal it? It doesn't matter. Whoever introduced Adnan as talking point into the BDS repertoire knew exactly who he is and what he stands for.<br />
<br />
Sorry, but there is no justification for supporting a terrorist group at the Park Slope Food Coop.<br />
The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-26946411313841252592013-01-15T00:55:00.000-05:002013-01-15T00:55:23.011-05:00Taking Off My GlovesThe Park Slope Food Coop runs on the good will of its members. We show up for our shifts on time faithfully and we work diligently. We are patient when the store is crowded and the lines are long. While the products are not as difficult to obtain in other stores as they once were, the savings are still substantial.<br />
<br />
It all works because there is the expectation that all are welcome and there should be mutual respect for boundaries and sensibilities. I have written previously about the importance of <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2011/07/neutral-spaces.html" target="_blank">neutral spaces.</a><br />
<br />
BDS is a hate movement. Plain and simple. It has no place in our coop. It should never have come up for discussion. The people who brought it and continue to submit letters to the Linewaiters' Gazette are violating our community's core values. <br />
<br />
In my <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2012/11/dont-use-linewaiters-gazette-for.html#pp" target="_blank">letter to the Gazette Editors</a>, I stated:
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
These anti-Israel letters are harmful to the community. They contain
distortions, misrepresentations and false statements. The <b>letters are
designed to instill hatred</b>; the content is at times anti-Semitic.</blockquote>
I suggested the editors either implement guidelines that included:
<br />
<blockquote>
exact definitions for what crosses the boundaries from legitimate discussion to any form of hate speech or racism</blockquote>
or - if enforcing guidelines is too onerous for a grocery store newspaper - put a moratorium on these letters. <br />
<br />
As I mentioned <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2013/01/when-you-lose-you-dont-win-you-just-lose.html" target="_blank">last time</a>, my letter received 2 responses from BDS supporters. Here is where it gets interesting and we see the logic-challenged thought process of the BDS advocates.<br />
<br />
Naomi tries the "change-the-subject" deflection:<br />
<blockquote>
the author implies that those who criticize the actions of the Israeli government and military are “anti-Semitic.” This is a common denunciation offered by those who defend Israeli policies.</blockquote>
But I didn't imply anything, did I? I didn't mention Israel's policies, at all. I quite clearly stated the <b>letters are
designed to instill hatred.</b> A pretty serious charge left unanswered.<br />
<br />
David uses the deflection, punctuated with a denial and sprinkled with arrogance(emphasis mine):
<br />
<blockquote>
And it should not be assumed that the 60% represented uniform sympathy for the Israeli government’s position, and even less so that many believed anti-Semitism motivated the boycott backers, perhaps the most absurd of all the anti-boycott advocates’ claims. <b>One would be hard-pressed to find actual expressions of anti-Semitism and hate in the pro-boycott letters (all available for review in the Gazette archive on the Coop’s website) as opposed to the ubiquitous accusations of them in the anti-boycott letters.</b> What’s obvious from those letters is that any and all questioning of the Israeli government’s actions should be viewed as anti-Semitism and hate, a sort of presumptive reading between the lines and pop-psychoanalyzing.</blockquote>
David is addressing things that I didn't say. Aside from that, one wouldn't have to look very hard at all to find "actual expressions of anti-Semitism." So, I hope to use the next several posts to list them.<br />
<br />
The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-85093450028627579672013-01-11T13:33:00.002-05:002013-01-11T13:33:50.647-05:00When You Lose, You Don't Win - You Just LoseEven though the BDS initiative at the Park Slope Food Coop was soundly defeated last March, one pro-BDS Coop member continues to submit a letter to each issue of the Linewaiters' Gazette. These letters portray purely innocent, powerless Palestinians oppressed by a purely evil, guilty Israel. The content is inaccurate and incomplete. After about 8 months of this I submitted my own <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2012/11/dont-use-linewaiters-gazette-for.html#pp" target="_blank">letter to the editors</a> suggesting the development of clear guidelines for BDS letters. If instituting fair guidelines is too onerous for grocery store newspaper, then perhaps a moratorium on BDS submissions is more appropriate for the Gazette.<br />
<br />
My letter generated 2 responses; one from a "David", one from a "Naomi." Both objected to my characterization of the BDS defeat in March 2012 as an "overwhelming rejection." The BDS proposal obtained the support of less than 4 percent of the membership. Among the self-selected, highly motivated 10% of the membership who attended the March General Meeting, BDS was defeated by a margin of 3 to 2.<br />
<br />
BDS supporters are hardly the first people to try to spin a loss into some kind of victory. The "even though we lost, we won because...." <a href="http://divestthis.com/2012/03/spin.html" target="_blank">meme</a> is <a href="http://divestthis.com/category/bds-other/page/8" target="_blank">well</a> <a href="http://divestthis.com/2011/05/lack-of-concrete-victory-is-incidental.html" target="_blank"> documented</a> at the <a href="http://divestthis.com/" target="_blank">Divest This!</a> blog.
BDS supporters hate to be told they have lost.<br />
<br />
But, what about the remaining 90% of members who, for whatever reasons, chose not to attend. Can we assume anything about that? David speculates it reflects “fatigue and burn out over the drawn-out debate, <b>the desire that the issue just go away.</b>” That sounds like a rejection to me.<br />
<br />
Naomi comes to a different conclusion:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I think this vote showed us how the General Meeting system of decision-making is flawed as a democratic process. About 6% of members were able to prevent the whole Coop from voting on this issue.</blockquote>
Really? 6% stopping the referendum is bad, and 4% pushing it
forward is ok? Really?<br />
<br />
Can anyone say "sore loser"? The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-11875964094704485102012-12-03T23:35:00.000-05:002012-12-03T23:35:52.065-05:00Why Sign the "Stand Up Against Boycotting Israel" PetitionI am not a great believer in internet petitions. I don't like giving out my email address. <br />
<br />
I am making an exception for this petition, <a href="http://westandforisrael.com/" target="_blank">Stand Up Against Boycotting Israel</a>, put together by <a href="http://www.standwithus.com/" target="_blank">Stand With Us,</a>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>We, the undersigned, stand together in support of the State of Israel.</b>
We call upon all people who side with freedom, to stand up against this
boycott movement. We stand up for the State of Israel in its struggle
to protect its citizens from rocket attacks and other terror attacks.
<br />
<br />
<b>We stand for democratic values, peaceful coexistence, and a safe and secure Israel.</b>
Israel is the only free democracy in the Middle East with equal rights
for all its citizens, regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual
orientation. Israel stands on the front line of the free world in the
fight against terrorism.
<br />
<br />
I am adding my voice to this petition and <b>I stand against the boycott movement.</b> Boycotting Israel serves no constructive purpose and only undermines peace efforts.</blockquote>
<br />
I, and people much smarter than I, have written hundreds of <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2011/08/who-is-bds-and-what-is-its-goal-part-i.html" target="_blank">posts about</a> <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2011/08/who-is-bds-and-what-is-its-goal-part-ii.html" target="_blank">the BDS movement</a>: its goal to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifZLk6Ei9-U" target="_blank">eliminate Israel as the Jewish homeland</a>, <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2011/04/apartheid-canard.html" target="_blank">the false</a> <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2011/08/so-much-misinformation.html" target="_blank"> accusations</a>, <a href="http://cifwatch.com/2012/12/02/the-guardian-approved-malice-of-joseph-massad/" target="_blank">the falsified history</a>, the<a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2011/04/is-bds-pro-peace.html" target="_blank"> pretense</a> of supporting human rights, the <a href="http://yaacovlozowick.blogspot.com/2012/11/three-ways-to-be-against-israel.html" target="_blank">delusions of its supporters</a>, the <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2011/08/civic-society.html" target="_blank">hijacking</a> of the <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2011/07/neutral-spaces.html" target="_blank">civic space</a> and so on.<br />
<br />
What good is a petition? Simple. Numbers. Demonstrate that large numbers oppose BDS.<br />
<br />
From my own BDS battle at the Park Slope Food Coop, I experienced first hand how this <a href="http://stopbdsparkslope.blogspot.com/2012/11/about-that-4-number.html" target="_blank">small group</a> can make a lot of noise. Ensconced within their echo chamber, the BDSers think everyone thinks the same as they do. They intimidate.<br />
<br />
Just suppose there was one place where you could show how many people there are on our side. What could they say then?<br />
<br />
Please sign and distribute the <a href="http://westandforisrael.com/" target="_blank">petition</a>.The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2610048045429850012.post-61645004288040577392012-11-21T22:34:00.000-05:002012-11-21T22:34:08.857-05:00About that 4% Number Just how much support was there at the Park Slope Food Coop for BDS?<br />
<br />
If you are just coming to this story, here is a quick recap:<br />
<br />
The Coop's governance system allows for anyone to submit something to be discussed at a General Meeting. There is an Agenda Committee tasked with scheduling the item for presentation. Theoretically, every proposal will eventually be presented. All members are eligible to attend a General Meeting. Attendance is optional.<br />
<br />
On March 27, 2012, a proposal to conduct a referendum to boycott Israel and endorse the BDS movement was presented at the General Meeting. Or, as it became known, "the vote on the vote."<br />
<br />
The Coop had about 16,000 members at the time. 1,658 members came to the General Meeting and submitted ballots. The final tally was 1,005 votes against the referendum and 653 in favor. A 61% to 39% split <span style="color: #990000;">among the people who came to vote.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;">Only </span></span>653 out of 16,000<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;"> members voted</span></span> in favor of the referendum. About 4%.<br />
<br />
But isn't the General Meeting a statistical sample? Can't we extrapolate the 39% to the entire membership? No. The people who attended the meeting were a self-selected group. They were particularly motivated to give up an evening to attend the General Meeting. I know the people who rearranged their schedules, made special transportation arrangements, or found babysitters so they would be free to attend. Everyone who came cared about the issue. 90% did not show up.<br />
<br />
What does all this mean? Even within the liberal Park Slope, within the progressive Park Slope Food Coop, support for BDS was only marginal. BDS is a fringe movement. It is not a main stream progressive cause.The Stop BDS Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494552759267397327noreply@blogger.com0