(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

By Somerville United Against Discrimination

We are writing to respectfully ask that voters across Somerville vote NO on Question 3.

This ballot question does nothing to constructively help Palestinians, and instead hurts our neighbors and our city itself. Implementing the question is illegal, sows division in our community, and takes our attention and resources off urgent issues facing our city.

It’s illegal. Question 3 is discriminatory, and has even been deemed illegal by the City Solicitor because it violates several non-discrimination, procurement, and fiduciary laws in Massachusetts. It would unfairly discriminate, inviting lawsuits and wasting city resources.

It sows division in our community. Signature collectors have been overheard describing the ballot measure as a “boycott of Jewish businesses.” At a time when the inclusive and welcoming nature of our country is being challenged, is this what we want Somerville to be known for?

It takes attention and resources off urgent issues facing our city. Somerville families are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living. Immigrants from all walks of life and countries of origin are being deported off our streets. Our schools and health care are at risk from federal budget cuts. Our local government should not be focused on foreign policy questions that turn neighbor against neighbor and will actually make it harder to solve these important problems.

Supporters of the ballot measure claim they are just focused on Somerville boycotting companies like Caterpillar and HP. But we know that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The national boycott movement wants to boycott other construction equipment manufacturers like Volvo and Hyundai, tech companies like Dell, Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Intel, Teva Pharmaceuticals (maker of a generic Narcan), Amazon, Reebok, Disney, McDonalds, Coca Cola, Burger King, Papa John, Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza… The list goes on and on.

Supporters of the ballot measure are already trying to block a new partnership between Massachusetts and an Israeli hospital helping startups working on lifesaving advances in radiology, stroke treatment, cancer treatment, heart surgery, and more.

The language in the ballot measure is so vague and so broad that the city wouldn’t be able to work with anyone who works with these companies. Students will lose their HP Chromebooks. The city won’t be able to rebuild the Winter Hill Community School, repair our streets, or build new bike lanes. The city would have to run without Microsoft, Google, or Apple technology. And Somerville would lose the opportunity to be part of the next job-creating wave of lifesaving healthcare innovations.

Let’s not drive people apart. Let’s keep Somerville moving forward. Please vote NO on Question 3.

Sincerely,

Michael Switkes – Ward 6

Leiran Biton – Ward 7

Anna Biton – Ward 7

Judy Pineda Neufeld – Ward 7

Joseph Sousa – Ward 3

Sarah Blum – Ward 3

Evan James Fontana – Ward 1

Nathaniel Sugarman – Ward 3

Carl Hoffman – Ward 7

Natty Hoffman – Ward 7

Ariella Honig-Stern – Ward 2

Benjamin Honig-Stern – Ward 2

Vicki Lynn Merritt – Ward 6

David Lichter – Ward 3

Gideon Klionsky – Ward 3

Daniel Engel – Ward 3

Lumina Gershfield – Ward 2

Michael Tsabar – Ward 3

Samantha Joseph – Ward 5

Nataly Cabili – Ward 2

Elisha Gechter – Ward 3

Elana Bloomfield – Ward 7

Lia Sokol – Ward 2

David Gordon – Ward 7

Richard Maidman – Ward 7

Rachel Goldberg – Ward 2

Joshua Gensler-Steinberg – Ward 5

Emma Lebwohl – Ward 3

Marjie Polster – Ward 5

Jeffrey E. Green – Ward 3

Jodi Nemser-Abrahams – Ward 5

Cynthia Graber – Ward 5

Bruce Kaplan – Ward 3

Jonathan Dovev – Ward 3

Emma Stellman – Ward 6

Noa Kligfeld – Ward 2

Yael Langer – Ward 6

Simson L. Garfinkel – Ward 7

Shari Lowin – Ward 2

Lauren Smith – Ward 4

Jess Torres – Ward 3

Sam Gechter – Ward 3

Amitay Kalmar – Ward 2

Mark Paskind – Ward 6

Kate Heilman – Ward 3

Beth Green – Ward 3

Todd Easton – Ward 5

Ariane Torres – Ward 3

Justin Klekota – Ward 7

Jack MacKinnon – Ward 3

Bob Maxmen – Ward 6