"On Wednesday, September 8th, at a noon press conference in Los Angeles in front of the Israeli Consulate, the California Israel Divestment Campaign, a culturally diverse group of compassionate Americans announced the launch of California ballot initiative 10-0020 to require public employee systems to divest from certain business activities in Israel. In its first official announcement, the California Israel Divestment Campaign (IDC) delivered the following explanation:
Although California has adopted policies requiring divestment from Sudan, Iran and other nations, this is the first ballot measure in the nation aimed at changing Israeli policies through divestment by State agencies. It directs Californias large public employee and teacher pension funds to be consistent with their responsible investing policies and to divest from companies that violate the human rights of Palestinians."
Listen to the words of a Jew whose family has lived in the region for nine generations:
"Sometimes it takes a good friend to tell you when enough is enough. As they did with South Africa two decades ago, concerned citizens across the US can make a difference by encouraging Washington to get the message to Israel that this cannot continue."
The author of those words, Jonathan Ben Artzi, nephew to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaks as someone who's seen a lifetime of Israel's abuse of Palestinians.
At least 434,000 registered California voters will have to sign a petition to qualify 10-0020 for voter approval.
"If the requisite number of signatures is gathered, the initiative will appear on the next statewide ballot after March, 2011."
Enough is enough.
Los Angeles Launches....
Although California has adopted policies requiring divestment from Sudan, Iran and other nations, this is the first ballot measure in the nation aimed at changing Israeli policies through divestment by State agencies. It directs Californias large public employee and teacher pension funds to be consistent with their responsible investing policies and to divest from companies that violate the human rights of Palestinians."
Listen to the words of a Jew whose family has lived in the region for nine generations:
"Sometimes it takes a good friend to tell you when enough is enough. As they did with South Africa two decades ago, concerned citizens across the US can make a difference by encouraging Washington to get the message to Israel that this cannot continue."
The author of those words, Jonathan Ben Artzi, nephew to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaks as someone who's seen a lifetime of Israel's abuse of Palestinians.
At least 434,000 registered California voters will have to sign a petition to qualify 10-0020 for voter approval.
"If the requisite number of signatures is gathered, the initiative will appear on the next statewide ballot after March, 2011."
Enough is enough.
Los Angeles Launches....