From:
To: City Council
Subject: Public Comment on Agenda Item 4
Date: Monday, February 19, 2024 11:55:37 AM
Esteemed Members of the Sebastopol City Council:
My name is Joel Gary Neuberg. I have been a Sebastopol resident for more than fifty years.
I am, I believe, the last surviving founding member of the Alliance for the Study of the Holocaust and Genocide at Sonoma State University.
I am asking you not to bring and to oppose resolutions on the Israel-Hamas War.
Non-binding resolutions inflame hate targeting Jewish communities, yet do not address the root causes of the crisis and have no effect on the conflict while increasing the feeling of insecurity in our community. When Israel is in the news, antisemitism in America always increases. When resolutions were brought in Bay Area cities antisemitic incidents increased. I believe such resolutions also increase the threats of attacks on local Palestinian residents and businesses.
I believe you have experienced and unfortunately broadcast some of the hateful speech of anonymous online commenters. Keeping your meetings open to all interested parties is a courageous decision. Please do not stimulate hate by bringing or passing otherwise useless resolutions on the Israel-Hamas War.
Thank you for your attention and for the hard work you do for the residents of the City of Sebastopol.
Sincerely,
Joel Gary Neuberg
Sebastopol