More than 100 American Rabbis from across the U.S. are calling for a boycott of Portland in a sharply worded petition critical of the city decision in September to cut economic ties with Israel.
The petition asked the public to avoid spending money in Portland until the city reverses its decision.
The city council voted to divest from companies doing business in Israel in protest over its war in Gaza, but later learned the city has no financial ties to Israel. The move turned out to be nothing more than symbolic.
But there’s been backlash against the city council’s decision, and Mayor Mark Dion has since apologized for his vote, calling it an “error in judgement.”
The petition effort was headed by Rabbi Dovid Asher of Virginia, and appeared as a full-page advertisement in newspapers, including the Portland Press Herald.
“We ask our memberships and all people of good conscience, who support the democratic racially diverse leading role of America in the Middle East, to avoid patronizing and financially contributing to the City of Portland until such repeal of the targeted divestment takes effect,” the petition says.
The letter began by accusing the city of causing harm to the Jewish community in the U.S. and Israel. “We, the undersigned, sign our names to publicly express our hurt and outrage at the City of Portland for their one-sided action against the State of Israel…this letter is not about our support for Israel but rather to inform the City of Portland about the deep pain and lasting damage they have caused to the American Jewish community.”
The letter goes on to say the city’s move dangerously serves to gin up more rage against Israel and the Jewish community.
“Portland’s decision to align with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign only fuels the current surge of antisemitism that has overwhelmed our country. FBI statistics have repeatedly shown that more than one in two religious hate crimes are perpetrated against ethnic and religious Jews. Hatred rises where BDS is present. Religious persecution is caused by the demonization and the delegitimization of minorities, often resulting in the targeting of the Jewish community.”
The letter ends by reaching out to the city’s residents for goodwill. “With apologies to all fair-minded Portlanders, we hope and pray these actions help restore your city to a more equitable tolerance for all peoples.”
The letter noticeably did not include the signature of any rabbi in Maine.
