Friday, December 10, 2004
The City of Somerville will not be divesting form Israel any time soon. I was unable to attend the meeting, but accoring to the JCRC, things went well:
JCRC, in cooperation with a broad-based coalition of Jewish organizations, labor activists and people concerned about fairness and human rights, soundly defeated efforts by anti-Israel forces to pass a resolution that would have required the City of Somerville to divest its holdings in Israel Bonds and in companies doing business with Israel's defense establishment.
After a month-long campaign of education and community outreach, the Somerville Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to accept the recommendation of their Legislative Matters Committee to oppose divesting from Israel.
In addition, Alderman Bill Roche presented a motion not to consider related resolutions on the agenda. The passing of this motion by the Board is a tremendous victory in which they sent the clear message that the Board of Aldermen would not make any comment on the situation in the Middle East.
It is essential that we thank the Aldermen for their support.
Update: Here's a final posting on the web site of the group opposing the measure.
