The following piece in the San Francisco Chronicle is worth
reading. The author, Ishmael Khaldi, is the vice-consul for Israel in San Francisco. What he says here regarding the IAW activities in Berkeley is valid for the boycotters everywhere:
You are betraying the moderate Muslims and Jews who are working to achieve peace: Your radicalism is undermining the forces for peace in Israel and in the Palestinian territories. We are working hard to move toward a peace agreement that recognizes the legitimate rights of both Israel and the Palestinian people, and you are tearing down by falsely vilifying one side.
His closing words are particularly apposite:
If Israel were an apartheid state, I would not have been appointed here, nor would I have chosen to take upon myself this duty. There are many Arabs, both within Israel and in the Palestinian territories who have taken great courage to walk the path of peace. You should stand with us, rather than against us.
As trade unionists seeking peace in the middle east, we need to act against those who strengthen the forces of war and act against those seeking peace. Boycotters and "anti-apartheid" activists strengthen the hand of those who would make war and not peace. We need to proclaim this from the hilltops and, in the case of unions who have joined the ranks of the boycotters, take back our unions so they become a force for real peace in the region.
This is fascinating. Thank you for posting it.
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