SAN DIEGO — Following is a letter sent to the President of the University of California, the Chancellor of UCSD, and the President of the Associated Students of UCSD regarding this afternoon’s expected vote by the Associated Students Senate on a resolution seeking divestment from companies doing business with Israel.
I am writing to you today as both a concerned California tax payer and a proud American citizen. It has come to my attention that Associated Students of UCSD are being asked to vote on a resolution calling for divestiture from two fine American companies, GE and United Technologies due to their supposed association with one of America ’s key allies, the state of Israel . Allow me to elaborate on two primary reasons why I strongly call on you to reject this misguided and dangerous resolution.
First let me state that I have reviewed the text of the resolution in detail and find it to be biased, grossly one sided and inaccurate in its representation of a very complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Furthermore, the resolution seeks to punish two American companies who are part of core and fabric of this great country and have done nothing wrong. United Technologies has developed and built the excellent military equipment that is keeping this country safe, while General Electric’s products have helped to improve lives of millions of people in this country. These two companies provide employment for thousands of citizens of this country while generating wealth for multiple share holders.. The two companies also employ graduates of the UC system and enable many California taxpayers to provide the very funds that keep this public university system going. Furthermore, the so called “occupying force” that this resolution refers to, happens to be one of this country’s most dependable, strategic and crucial allies in the world, Israel . United Technologies and General Electric work with many of our allies around the world, including the militaries of many of our allies and Israel is no exception.
Second, I would like to call your attention to a few indisputable facts. The Gaza strip, has been ruled for a few years by an entity which has been classified by United States State Department as well as the European Union as a terrorist entity. That entity is of course Hamas. Please recall that shortly after 9/11 attacks on American territory many Palestinians in Gaza poured out in the streets, handing out candy and flowers to celebrate the deaths of Americans.
The West Bank is ruled by the Palestinian Authority which I would like to remind you is responsible for the murder of American diplomats in Sudan in 1973 as well as various other acts of terror against American citizens. Both Hamas and Palestinian authority have orchestrated numerous suicide bombings against Israeli civilians, killing several American citizens in the process. During the gulf war, the Palestinian authority came out in support of Saddam Hussein and thus against the coalition led by United States of America . American soldiers have died fighting against the regime supported by the Palestinian Authority.
In short,the middle east conflict is involved, complex and multi dimensional. As such it is better left to informed participants in the political arena to resolve. As a tax paying Californian I do not wish to see our state institution for higher learning get embroiled in this political issue. As a proud American, I surely do not want our institution of higher learning to pass a resolution that would punish two of this country’s finest companies for doing business with one of our key allies, all to help a terrorist entity that is the enemy of this country. I therefore, urge you to reject this senseless, misguided and divisive resolution. Your actions with regard to this resolution are being closely watched by the people who you can ill afford to alienate, the tax payers. Please do the right thing.
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Liff is a freelance writer based in San Diego