Public Comment

LETTER 1:September 4, 2024 Dear Councilman Tregub:

Today, I am writing to you as a second generation Jew, mother of two, and grandmother of five. Seven blessings in my life, which qualify me to speak about humanity's responsibility to protect the rights of civilians in conflict, and especially the rights of children to live and thrive. There is even a UN Charter on the Rights of Children, which if you haven't read, I'm glad to send you a copy. In it, you will find a list of rights that entitle children to safety, shelter, healthcare, education, and LIFE! I believe that Berkeley's City Council adopted a Resolution to officially support this Charter.

To say that I was shocked at your dismissal of Diana Bohn from the Peace & Justice Commission is an understatement. Shock followed by dismay. There is some terrible calculus going on with the City Council, who, during the last 11 months, have refused to host an open discussion about the genocide in Palestine. The calculus is that the lives of one group are more valued and valuable, that is, more entitled to life than other groups. The lame excuse is that a discussion would exacerbate divisiveness. Yes, the community is divided, but hiding from division only creates more anxiety, more reactiveness, more hostility.

Last night, I heard the Director of MECA relate how he first learned about Berkeley. From life in the Jenin Refugee Camp, he learned that our City was the first in the USA to divest from the South African apartheid regime. History has proven that courageous and unorthodox decision correct. History will prove the same about the current and ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people. Rather than genocide, I prefer extermination. Killing children exterminates the future.

You've certainly seen the protests against Israel's systematic destruction of Gaza, and now the West Bank. These protests, small and large, are composed of millions of people, who have witnessed this magnitude of death and destruction 'live streaming.' There is no turning away. Or pretense that this is not happening. Note the news from Sept 1: At least 700,000 people have taken part in protests across Israel calling for a ceasefire.

In no way do I condone the Hamas attack on October 7th. However, the degree of revenge and retaliation waged against the Palestinian populace is unprecedented, except in the history of world wars and the genocides against indigenous populations by colonial powers.

What is terribly sinister is Netanyahu's self-serving perpetuation of conflict, and Israel's designs on appropriating all of Palestinian land as its own. There is a grand scheme here that appeals to the most base instincts of human nature: greed and indifference.

I now suspect that you have very different views about this. But what view can justify the deliberate killing and maiming of children? the destruction of all schools and hospitals? sites of worship? withholding food, drink, and medicine? These are rhetorical and heartbreaking questions. As I write them, I weep at the state of frozen hearts and minds, even here in my own City, a place once famed for its universal love and courage.

Summer Brenner, D4 long-time resident of Berkeley

LETTER 2: Sep 9 Dear Igor,

Thank you again for the reply to my letter regarding Diana Bohn and the PJC.

As mentioned, I am Jewish, but not a Zionist. In so many ways, the ethical tenets of Judaism contradict the Zionist project.

That said, I think the Zionist faction in this City has exercised a disproportionate influence over the Council and its refusal to have a mere discussion of a Ceasefire Resolution. I doubt that the Zionists would accept any resolution that includes the condemnation of Israel and its genocidal behavior. Yet that is the reality -- and the roadblock. That's why I'm afraid the concept of 'balanced and inclusive' rings hollow when children are being systematically slaughtered, maimed, and starved. WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS! According to Michael Moore, the calculation is $356 per US citizen and rising. Money for weaponry that has almost nothing to do with defense. That 'Israel has a right to defend itself' also rings hollow.

I appreciate and quote you: [my] "longstanding support of a lasting end of hostilities in the region, the return of all remaining hostages held by Hamas - alive, and efforts toward a two-state solution built on self-determination and mutual understanding." As tragic as the situation with hostages is, I believe the Israelis are correct in also blaming Netanyahu. The hostages have not been his priority. In fact, Israeli attacks with US bombs have led to an unknown number of hostage deaths. As for a two-state solution, the invasion/occupation of a half-million plus illegal settlers currently renders that scenario a fantasy.

One last personal note: I think the existential threat that many Jews/Israelis feel has suppressed their capacity for compassion for the Other. Maybe, not in Ukraine, where the Council had no hesitation in supporting a Resolution. But certainly towards the Palestinian people. In my opinion, that's where the greatest impasse lies. Until we embrace our universal humanity, this extermination will continue. But how our City Council can tacitly condone it remains a mystery that I shall never understand.