As a Portland resident, Jew, and supporter of the Portland City Council divestment resolution that passed unanimously on Sept. 4, I am disheartened by the reactions from mainstream Jewish institutions and their affiliates. On Sept. 5, the Jewish Community Alliance wrote: “Our dedication to this cause and community is unwavering … While we may not speak for everyone, we welcome everyone. We want to assure you that we are actively working toward actionable ways to combat anti-Zionism, antisemitism, and intolerance in our community.”

This response ignores many in our community who identify as anti-Zionists and proud Jews, who support the divestment resolution and work against antisemitism and intolerance. The JCA’s definition of “everyone” excludes us.

The JCA is conflating antizionism with antisemitism. Though this rhetoric has been a cornerstone of American Jewish institutions for the last several decades, it is critical to acknowledge that the state of Israel is not synonymous with the Jewish people. Conflating the two makes Jews less safe, making it easier to blame Jews for Israel’s actions and exacerbating white nationalist threats. It also alienates Jews who oppose Israel’s genocide in Gaza; a friend who testified in support of the resolution received a threat at their workplace for being a “self-hating Jew.”

Supporting divestment is not antisemitic, and does not equate to supporting Hamas. It is misleading and harmful to claim otherwise. By adopting the divestment resolution, the council rejected this divisive rhetoric, instead supporting values of justice and safety for all people. I – and many other Jews I know – am very grateful.

Lara Rosen
Portland