Via Emunah: On Thursday June 17 the elected representatives at the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board, whose stated mission is “to regulate residential rent increases in the City of Berkeley and to protect against unwarranted rent increases and evictions and to provide a fair return to property owners.” will be voting on a foreign policy resolution accusing Israel of violence, oppression, ethnic cleansing and calling for the “end of American funding of Israeli apartheid”
This resolution is one sided, inflammatory and does nothing to further a lasting peace between the people of the Middle East. Even more concerning is that the extremist rhetoric may led to an increase in attacks on Israeli-Americans and the local Jewish community, as we have seen worldwide. The use of false accusations against Israel including “apartheid” and “ethnic cleansing” have been used to justify antisemitic violence.
Antisemitic incidents, with 83% referencing the conflict in Gaza and Israel have skyrocketed 438% in the U.K. in the last month. Four men were arrested in London for shouting “F*** the Jews. Rape their daughters.” A group of Iranian American Jews were attacked in Los Angeles – one was hospitalized. Jews were assaulted near an anti-Israel rally in downtown Toronto. In our own community, Jewish owned businesses and community centers have been targeted with anti-Israel and antisemitic graffiti
How can you help? Please write or email the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board, expressing your concern. TheRentBoard@cityofberkeley.info.
CC the Berkeley City Council. rkesarwani@cityofberkeley.info,mayor@cityofberkeley.info, ttaplin@cityofberkeley.info, jchang@cityofberkeley.info , KHarrison@cityofberkeley.info, SHahn@cityofberkeley.info, swengraf@cityofberkeley.info, RRobinson@cityofberkeley.info, ldroste@cityofberkeley.info, auditor@cityofberkeley.info
To submit an e-mail comment to be read aloud during public comment, email amueller@cityofberkeley.info .
Again: This is an elected position. Remember the names Soli Alpert, Leah Simon-Weisberg, Paola Laverde, Dominique Walker. Do not vote for them, not for the rent board, not for any other position.
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