The following Statements and Rebuttals have been submitted by the members of the Associated Students whose names appear beneath them. Their content is strictly the opinions of their authors, and not those of the Associated Students. The Associated Students has not taken any position in favor of or in opposition to the Initiative Referendum and does not endorse or agree or disagree with the opinions contained in the Statements or Rebuttals. Other than limiting the statements to 750 words and the Rebuttals to 250 words, the Associated Students has not edited or otherwise changed the Statements and Rebuttals that were submitted and appear below.

STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION

The undersigned coalition of concerned SDSU students, representing a broad cross-section of the diversity this campus has to offer, urge you to vote ‘No’ on the referendum on the grounds that it violates the academic integrity of this academic institution and more so, is not an answer to the human rights violations aforementioned. Divestment is one-sided and contributes to a larger hate movement, which calls for the destruction of the only democracy in the Middle East.

Divesting from such companies is far from pro-Palestinian; such boycotts have been proven to harm the Palestinian livelihood as seen in previous boycotts, stripping hundreds of Palestinians from their jobsi. Notable figures such as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have openly opposed boycotts of Israel, stating that this distances the region from peace and cooperationii. Therefore, we urge both parties to come to a peaceful resolution through strictly diplomatic means with the purpose of building bridges and investing in Palestine.

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement hides behind the façade of being a movement that seeks peace and freedom for the Palestinian people. Instead, it promotes an anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic platform that is far from progressive. Divestment resolutions on college campuses have also lead to outright expressions of anti-Semitism and hate, as exemplified with anti-Semitic graffiti at UC Davisiii, and violence against students at Temple Universityiv, and almost denying students the right to serve on a student government board at UCLAv.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is mutually destructive, and negatively affects both Israelis and Palestinians. Those directly affected by this longstanding, complex and tragic conflict should be the ones to resolve it. The best way to promote peace is to invest in dialogue, cooperation, and bridge-building. Vote for the academically honest, socially responsible choice and vote NO on the referendum.

Drafted By: Sarah Katularu, Anthony Berteaux, Tyler Gording, Sheli Grumet, Victoria Zakinova, Eric Palonsky, Chantal Eidelstein, Daniel Sirkin, and Michael Kagan.

In Coalition With:
Young Americans for Liberty
Jewish Student Union
Students Supporting Israel
Alpha Epsilon Pi

1. http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/david-s-harp/.premium-1.62476
2. http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/south-africa-abbas-opposes-boycott-israel
3. http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2015/01/31/support-of-israel-reason-house-was-tagged-with-swastikas-frat-says/
4. http://www.truthrevolt.org/news/temple-univ-jewish-student-punched-face-and-called-kike-anti-semitic-attack
5. http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/10/opinions/kosmin-anti-semitism-campus/

REBUTTAL TO THE STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION

We first call into question this “diversity” Students Supporting Israel and their supporters lay claim to, as the coalition does not seem representative. We also question exactly how a student-initiated referendum violates academic integrity. An integral part of university education is opening discourse on such matters.

Divestment is not one-sided because we are calling for liberty and equality for all people in the area. Israel cannot claim to be a democracy while it continues to deny rights including the right to vote for one third of its people.

Our Divestment Coalition condemns all anti-Semitic actions that have occurred, on and off campus. This is not about Israel as a Jewish state, this is about their apartheid system of government that denies rights, destroys homes and lives of Palestinians.

Divestment is not the ultimate end to the conflict, but it will make sure our university does not profit off these human rights violations and war crimes.

The claim that divestment harms Palestinian livelihood ignores the fact that the call to divest came from Palestinian civil society. For us to tell Palestinians the best way to help themselves is not merely reminiscent of colonial imperialism it is pure, modern-day paternalistic racism. The Palestinian people have collectively decided that divesting from companies that are used to further their oppression will help them in their struggle for freedom and justice. The only question remaining is whether we are willing to answer this call.

Stand for Justice.
Vote YES to Divest.

Drafted by: Nassim Moallem, Osama Alkhawaja, Chloe Sension, Rachel Beck, Elias Purmul and Wesley Beights

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