Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Speaking of Leftists and Islamists (and Racists), the Somerville Divestment Project is back, and they're expanding their efforts to Cambridge and Jamaica Plain. See the previous post for who might be helping with efforts in JP (*cough*Karin and Joachim*cough*): Somerville divestment group expands agenda to new cities
I predict more failure in more communities and much annoyance of the civilian population caught in the pamphleting crossfire. It oughta be against international law for these people to keep on like this.
The Somerville Divestment Project (SDP), a self-described human rights group that refers to Israel as an “apartheid state,†has announced in a posting on its Web site that it is gearing up “for an ambitious project of expansion†into Cambridge and Jamaica Plain.
Ron Francis, a member of the SDP’s board, said his group is spreading into new communities because “more people than ever are aware of Israel’s ethnic cleansing project as an immoral, unconscionable and illegal act.â€
In addition, the SDP has launched a fundraising campaign to support its latest efforts. Francis declined to comment on SDP’s donors and budgetary needs for the project, stating he will not discuss the group’s “internal operations.â€...
...Upon learning that the SDP is planning on placing another Palestinian question onto the ballot in 2008, Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone said he wasn’t shocked about the group’s persistence in making its point.
“They have been pretty aggressive in their tactics,†Curtatone added. “But we have sent out a clear message as a government and community that we don’t agree with their position. These are very complex issues that cannot be solved or advocated clearly by a resolution via a municipal body.â€
In addition to tackling the SDP’s latest initiatives, local Jewish groups are also preparing ways to peacefully counter a proposed Palestine Awareness Festival to be held at Edward Sennott Park in Cambridge in October. According to an employee of the City of Cambridge, the festival, organized by Rule 19, a local anti-Israel group, will feature an exhibit by Palestinian cartoonist Naji Al-Ali as well as a model Palestinian home destroyed by Israeli soldiers.
Hillel Stavis, community outreach manager at The David Project Center for Jewish Leadership, said it is unlikely that these “anti-Israel fringe groups†will succeed in promoting their causes.
Added Stavis: “It’s unfortunate that a lot of groups have to waste their time fighting these crazies.â€
Indeed. BTW, Stavis now heads up The Samuel Brigade, an effort of The David Project to involve folks 50+ in activism: Brigade takes the frontlines
Update: Oh, I forgot to mention, Karin Friedemann links the article above (On the Boston/JP Greens email list) under the title David Project gearing up for more evil.
I know this comes as a shock to everyone in Jamaica Plain, but "JP" isn't actually a city. What are they going to do, block JP Licks' expansion to Tel Aviv?
Incidentally, if people absolutely must hijack city governments as a platform for their pet obsessions, shouldn't they at least confine it to their own city?
You underestimate the hatred towards the State of Israel by this crowd, Jsinger.......
BHG
If they're moving into JP, they're probably hooking up with Israel-hating city councilor Chuck Turner (who thinks Zionism was started by 19th-century white supremacists).
Indeed! Chuck is active with the GRP folks:
http://www.solomonia.com/blog/archive/2007/08/the-green-islamist-racist-convention/
You underestimate the hatred towards the State of Israel by this crowd, Jsinger.......
I have to kick these people off my doorstep, and explain to my neighbors that, no, not everyone vaguely connected to the Middle East is a psychopath. I'm quite aware of their hatred.