Lately, it seems everything political is designed to divide us. One notable exception was when the Portland City Council unanimously passed a divestment resolution, severing its financial ties to companies complicit in Israel’s war crimes. As a Palestinian-American, it felt like our community stood together that night in council chambers to oppose killing innocent civilians. I testified proudly beside my Jewish neighbors calling for divestment then, and I stand with them now as they confront Mayor Mark Dion’s lone reversal on divestment.

Three hours of comments and debate on the resolution revealed how supportive our community really was. While some pro-Israel speakers objected, the majority of supporters were Jewish. Mayor Dion observed each of those speakers. Therefore, his “apology” on Oct. 21 to “the Jewish community” for his “yea” vote is incredulous.

Portland’s divestment resolution still stands and is consistent with growing consensuses: Israel’s war on Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon grows more brutal and lethal daily; as citizens, we’re responsible for how our tax dollars are spent; and a significant and increasing majority of Americans favor an immediate ceasefire and arms embargo.

Maine Coalition for Palestine joins Jewish Voice for Peace in rejecting anyone claiming to speak for the “entire” Jewish community. We applaud the Portland Council for representing their constituents, and sending a clear message that Portland citizens want their tax dollars to fund our community, not war and occupation. This is not a “foreign policy” issue, but a domestic and personal issue for every taxpayer.

Deen Haleem
Portland