4-15 Keltz letter

Editor, On April 1, the UNM student senators voted down a resolution to divest from companies profiting from the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Ten voices from each side spoke for three minutes. Unfortunately, many of us did not get to speak. I was one of them. Here are my unspoken words. Dear ASUNM Student Senators, I support Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) as a pro-Israeli, pro-Jewish, pro-Palestinian position. Palestinian civil society has chosen BDS as the best nonviolent strategy to protest the illegal military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza that began in 1967. As a young immigrant from Eastern Europe, my grandmother worked in a Lower East Side clothing factory with deplorable conditions. Her father organized, protested, unionized and boycotted against the injustice. BDS is a time tested strategy used by Jewish activists for decades. It is vital to consider the broad range of opinions within the American-Jewish community as well as inside of Israel. Two Israeli peace activists recently visited New Mexico. They expressed grave concerns about the growing militarization of their country, including civil society and challenged American Jews who claim unconditional love of Israel. “Move there,” they said. “Give up your American passports. Otherwise, you are armchair Zionists living in a pluralistic secular democracy where all people are treated equally. For you, Israel is plan B. For me it is home.” They dream of raising their Jewish children in a Jerusalem where all people are treated equally before the law. Israeli soldiers have offered heartfelt testimony, admitting to atrocities they committed against a civilian population in the occupied territory. For refusing to serve in the military, the Israeli woman served six months in prison when she was 17. Israeli activists believe BDS is an effective nonviolent way to force their government to change policies. Socially responsible investing should be everyone’s concern. As the state’s largest educational institution, UNM has a public mandate to make investments that are transparent and responsible. The University must divest from any corporation that breaks international law and violates human rights. Profit made this way is immoral. Justice is the heart of everything, including the heart of Judaism. Thank you, Iris Keltz, UNM alumna Cofounder of Middle East Peace & Justice Alliance, Jewish Voice for Peace-Albuquerque