Open letter to Mike Thompson, as growing Yolo numbers demand advocacy for an immediate cease-fire
November 16, 2023
On Tuesday, dozens of us gathered to demand that our Representative, Mike Thompson, acknowledge global and local opinion in opposition to the continued attacks on Gaza. As his constituents, we reiterated our expectations that our views will be represented in calling for an end to the Israeli bombing of Palestinians. With signs, and dolls representing Palestinian deaths (most have been children), we raised our voices in support of peace and justice for the Palestinians living in Israel. Our action is part of the world-wide opposition to Israel’s horrifically disproportionate response to the Hamas attack on October 7. Mike Thompson, as our representative in Government, we will continually call on you to recognize the global opposition to what Israel is doing to the Palestinians which cannot continue and must be opposed. We call on you to represent our views and act in our name by advocating for a Ceasefire Now.
We understand that Israel is a sovereign nation, and that the United States has little power to influence its decisions except through withholding arms and money. (We realize that Congress just took military aid to Ukraine and Israel out of the new bill to fund government spending, so part of that decision has been made for now.) But public opinion is critical. In aligning itself with Israel’s disproportionate response to the events of October 7, the U.S. is risking its position in the court of global public opinion. And this alignment will further erode whatever good standing we may have to exert an influence elsewhere and in the future.
We know that the US historically has seen itself as a country representing the new idea that people of every religion, race, and ethnicity could live together in a society based on concepts of individual freedom and justice, with a system designed to provide checks and balances for those in power. Our constitutional rights of speech, of expression, of the press, of worship, and of the right to criticize government represent a standard of freedom and justice upheld by law, admired as a model for democracy around the world. Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is grossly antithetical to these standards. Continuing to align ourselves with the Israeli Government considering their cruel and inhumane treatment of Palestinians is deeply hypocritical and signals to the world that we are unwilling to abide by the very ideals on which we say our own country is built.
Mr. Thompson, as our representative, and as a United States Government official, we call on you to uphold the values this country enshrined in its foundational documents, and repeat our demand that you advocate for Israel to immediately, unconditionally and permanently stop the bombing of innocent Palestinian civilians.
Nora Oldwin & Dean Johansson
"We know that the US historically has seen itself as a country representing the new idea that people of every religion, race, and ethnicity could live together in a society based on concepts of individual freedom and justice, with a system designed to provide checks and balances for those in power. Our constitutional rights of speech, of expression, of the press, of worship, and of the right to criticize government represent a standard of freedom and justice upheld by law, admired as a model for democracy around the world. Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is grossly antithetical to these standards."
It was the Hamas actions of slaughtering 1400 innocent unarmed Israelis that went against all of these standards that are listed above. Until Israel can rid the Gaza Strip of all Hamas terrorists this will keep happening, Hamas has promised that they will continue the attacks.
Posted by: Keith | November 16, 2023 at 01:53 PM
"We know that the US historically has seen itself as a country representing the new idea that . . . "
You can't historically represent a new idea, as in the past the new idea hasn't happened yet.
But nice try.
Would you have Israel respond "proportionally" ? Like go to a civilian event and machine gun hundreds of people? Set civilian houses on fire? Murder 40 babies on a farm? Yes, I know the babies weren't beheaded. This was corrected the next day. The point is: targeting babies.
Now I happen to agree with you that the Israel response is unwise for Israel and far too brutal to the civilian population. And the failure of Israel to protect its civilian population adjacent to Gaza is criminal. As well, I see no justification for the continued settling of the West Bank, or any just reason not to reverse that. Except fundamentalist fervor of some religious justification.
But whatever 'colonialist' BS supports your thoughts, half of Israel is middle-eastern Jews who were eradicated from middle-eastern countries that then tried to decimate those they kicked out by trying to destroy Israel. Most of those Jews don't consider themselves 'white' and didn't even come from Europe.
If you want to criticize Israel for a lot of things, I'm with you. But when the 'tactics' of Hamas are justified in one's mind because of some delusional oppressor-victim view of the world, you lose me. I am no more supportive of those who a rah-rah with Israel to justify any and all tactics in Gaza.
This is all religious fervor -- Islamism to wipe out the enemy, fundamentalist Jews who see all the land as theirs by God, and you weird fundamentalist Christians who treat Jews like prized pets because of some role we play in Israel in your delusional
Biblical stories.
So leave Mike Thompson alone. He isn't God, and he can't go a fucking thing. It's time we all face the truth: the Middle East is fucked, and hopefully the fallout, literally and figuratively, doesn't take the whole rest of the Northern Hemisphere down with it.
Australia, you'll probably survive.
Posted by: Alan C. Miller | November 16, 2023 at 03:33 PM
I agree with Alan that we should " leave Mike Thompson alone" when it comes to things he has nothing to do with (I'm assuming that Netanyahu is not calling Mike to get his OK every time he sends the IDF into Gaza). I'm fine if Nora Oldwin & Dean Johansson mail letters to Netanyahu or other elected officials in Israel with their "demands" but "demanding" that Mike Thompson "advocate for Israel to immediately, unconditionally and permanently stop the bombing of innocent Palestinian civilians." will do even less than "demanding that Mayor Arnold "advocate for all the people that have had bikes stolen and tell the homeless to immediately, unconditionally and permanently stop stealing bikes in town.
Posted by: South of Davis | November 16, 2023 at 04:31 PM
Ummmm. . . First: Alan? I'm Jewish, not Christian. I have family members pushed under trains and refused medical treatment for being Jewish, shot and killed and the list goes on. I'm lost by the comment about "prized pets" in any context. Keith?No question that Hamas' actions were reprehensible and had nothing remotely do to with any discussion of democracy. But the majority of Palestinians killed are just people, trying to live life, and not members of Hamas. Back to Alan: I do agree in some sense that there is an aspect of religious fervor here-it seems this goes back to the Crusades and the practice of eradicating "others" including Muslims from the land. But that was not the point of our letter at all. Nor did I mention anything about settler colonialism, or in any way condone, support or endorse what Hamas did on October 7. So I'm not clear on why you include that in your comment. Mike Thompson is my elected representative, and as such I want him to understand his constituency, at least my part in it. That's democracy. Maybe I should have wordsmithed better than I did but I stand by what I wrote.
Posted by: Nora Oldwin | November 16, 2023 at 05:17 PM
I'm pretty sure that a lot of Germans, Japanese, and Italians were also not necessarily supportive of their "representatives".
But I suspect that a lot of them were supportive.
Gaza apparently needs a "do-over". Hopefully, Israel will be there to accomplish that (as the U.S. and allies were in regard to Japan, Germany, and (I guess) Italy. (Though Italy did not seem to suffer that much.)
This is reason number (fill-in-the-blank) that you can't accept a-holes running the "government".
It's also a reason to (ideally) separate religion from government - everywhere in the world.
But at this point, Israel probably needs to permanently occupy Gaza (and make it part of Israel - welcoming of Muslims).
Next step - rebuilding it.
Posted by: Ron O | November 16, 2023 at 06:55 PM
Nora, what would you have Israel do? Leave Hamas in place so they can once again slaughter unarmed innocent Israeli civilians? That's exactly what they have said they do will do again. The Palestinians voted Hamas into power so they are somewhat responsible for what is happening now. There's no perfect answer, but for Israel to go into the Gaza Strip and not rid it of the Hamas terrorists would be a total failure.
Posted by: Keith | November 17, 2023 at 05:46 AM
Keith, I think the question we first have to acknowledge and agree on- in terms of its being the question to be answered- is what we think is- or should be- the endgame. Is it a two state solution? or something different? Otherwise the conversation we are having is undefined-
Posted by: Nora | November 17, 2023 at 09:30 AM
No cease fire except to let people/CIVILIANS flee war zone and get help. We are too kind to those who want to eradicate or do harm to others, Israel or within the US.
Leave Mike out of it, this response is Israel executing it right to protect its sovereignty, and to life and live as they choose. Israel did not invade Palestine and kill.
This is their 9/11 and BTW, who celebrated the 9/11 attack?
You do not like the outcome, maybe you should rethink who you vote for in the next election?
Posted by: WhoCaresWhatIThink | November 17, 2023 at 11:18 AM
The comments on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict seem to be filled with shallow arguments. The core issue extends beyond the surface narrative presented by governments and media. Financial and economic interests, particularly related to the Ben Gorian shipping channel near Gaza City, play a significant role in the ongoing conflict. The proximity of this channel to Gaza's shoreline, which holds substantial gas and petroleum reserves, adds another layer to the geopolitical dynamics.
The involvement of the US and EU in supporting the conflict raises questions about the true motives behind the massacre. The critique extends to the supposed democratic and human rights principles of Western countries, which are called into question given their support for actions that result in civilian suffering.
The mention of Hamas is framed as Palestine's "biggest anime," suggesting a complex and possibly orchestrated relationship between Hamas and Israel. The claim that Israel was aware of the impending attack on Gaza, with warnings from Egypt and the US, raises concerns about the motivations behind certain military actions.
The proposed solution to eliminate Hamas involves cutting off its financing, suggesting that external support plays a crucial role in sustaining such organizations. The argument also anticipates the possibility of a new group emerging with a different name if the existing one is dismantled—a pattern illustrated by the PKK changing to YPG.
The overarching message encourages a deeper examination of the root causes of conflicts and emphasizes the shared humanity that should unite people rather than divide them. The reference to emotions as both a defining human trait and a potential tool for manipulation underscores the importance of understanding and addressing these dynamics to prevent further bloodshed.
The conclusion strongly advocates for an end to the suffering of Palestinians, emphasizing the human cost of conflict and expressing a belief in the karmic consequences of war crimes. The Turkish proverb, "Whatever you put in your soup will come on your spoon," serves as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of actions and their consequences.
Posted by: Karahan Mete | November 18, 2023 at 01:49 PM
Alan and South of Davis. Who has say over a federal budget if not a congressional representative? Nora is saying to make stopping the massacre policy and stop funding the massacre. Those are things our representative can and should vote for. And we are all aware of our ability to vote.
The unrestrained violence of Hamas and the forced ethnic cleansing of Gaza is part of an unrelenting campaign that better meaning people have allowed to occur for a long time. The time to stop paying our cash to any side that makes overtures to a solution (or is insincere about control over those that don't) is long past.
The lack of dignity afforded in some of these replies is intentionally hostile as to make the forum untenable to reasonable voices. You can make the same point without these personal attacks.
Posted by: Scott | November 18, 2023 at 02:08 PM
I'm not seeing any "ethnic cleansing" in Gaza. It's certainly something horrific, but not ethnic cleansing.
But Israel obviously had to take action to eliminate the ongoing threat. There's going to have to be a permanent change in Gaza - hopefully for the better (for all) in the long run.
It is indeed similar to 9/11, Pearl Harbor, etc. Maybe worse.
Again, Japan and Germany came out "better" after the war.
Posted by: Ron O | November 18, 2023 at 02:41 PM