. . . Dianne Lob, Chair, William Daroff, CEO, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Vice Chair of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, issued the following statement:
“Last night, the City Council in Burlington, Vermont, voted to withdraw an anti-Israel resolution endorsing the discriminatory Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement that ultimately seeks the elimination of the Jewish State, economic isolation, and the end of foreign aid to Israel.
After two hours of public comment, City Councilmember Ali Dieng, who proposed the resolution, moved to withdraw the motion due to the outpouring of comments from Jewish community members as well as his concerns about antisemitism. He remarked, ‘I learned about antisemitism. It made me open my eyes and listen to the people and strive for what is right.’ We recognize Councilmember Dieng for understanding the dangers of antisemitism in any manifestation and the implications of this resolution for our country and society.
We also applaud the Vermont Jewish Community, which sent over 2000 emails against the resolution, and the many community members who spoke at the council meeting despite facing a hostile anti-Israel crowd.
The BDS Movement promotes virulent Jew-hatred under the guise of protest against the policies of the Israeli government. The resolution proposed was divisive and does nothing to promote peace. To add insult to injury, this resolution was voted on during the High Holiday period, the holiest period of the Jewish calendar. As several councilmembers discussed reconsidering the resolution at a future council meeting, we urge instead that they focus on issues that bring their community together, rather than dividing their community by again seeking to demonize Israel.
We thank and salute Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger, who expressed his opposition to this resolution and the BDS movement ‘that seeks to weaken and delegitimize an important and long-standing partner of the United States, the democratic State of Israel.’”
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