Jewish Support Letter for UTLA Motion in Solidarity with Palestine
By: Jewish Voice For Peace - Los Angeles
Tags: Teachers Union, Los Angeles, Palestine, Jewish, Utla

Individual Signatures and Statements of Support:

Aaron G Meyer, Chicago Teachers Union/Caucus of Rank-and-File Educators

“Solidarity!”

Adam Green, SEIU 99

Adam Richter

“Boycotting is one of the most effective means of nonviolent protest. Regardless of the issue, I support the right for people to boycott whatever they want. I want peace and justice for everyone in Israel/Palestine. It is not antisemitic to be against Israeli governmental policy.”

Alan Wagman

Alec Weinstein

“Jews stand against Zionist oppression and 19th century nationalism!”

Alexis Stern

Amber Weinstock

“I stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and justice.”

Ana Zeiger

“I am a proud Jewish student in support of the UTLA motion in solidarity with Palestine. My safety and well being are wrapped up in that of my Palestinian siblings, and I struggle for a liberated future with them every day.”

Andrea Hamad

Andrew Courtney, UFT

Andrew Liberman

Andrew Shapiro, Professional Staff Congress, City University of New York

Andy Winnick, California Faculty Assoc (CSU)

Angela Miller

Anissa Weinraub, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers / Caucus of Working Educators

“Thank you or taking this courageous act in solidarity with Palestinian people’s human rights.”

anna berg

“Stay strong in doing what is right. I’m a Holocaust survivor and support you totally.”

Anna Tseselsky

“This Jewish American stands in full solidarity with the brave teachers of UTLA and their historic BDS vote!”

Asa Lipman, UC AFT

Audrey Georg

“I am a 68-year old white Jewish female and firmly believe that Jewish people, historically persecuted and subjected to apartheid and genocide, should never have become oppressors through state sanctioned violence and racism against Palestinians through the State of Israel. I believe Israel has created an apartheid state. I believe Jewish Israelis claimed right of return in order to form this state but deny Palestinians the right of return, and this is an abominable injustice.”

Avery Nelson Bargar, Actors Equity Association

“As a Jewish New Yorker, I hope the UTLA will take a strong stand in solidarity with Palestine!”

Avital Aboody

B. Kaiser, MORE UFT

Barbara Barefield

“Continue your courageous work to support Palestinian rights for justice, equality and peace.”

Benjamin Balthaser, American Association of University Professors (AAUP-Indiana University, South Bend)

“Educators stand for the truth, and the right to teach the truth, above all else. Opposing human rights violations of Israel is neither antisemitism or outside the purview of an educational institution, or an educators’ union. It is imperative that educators be allowed to speak out against an apartheid system our govt supports, and to support Palestinian students deprived of their education by racism, war and occupation.”

Benjamin Kersten, UAW 2865

Benjamin M Ben-Baruch, Jewish Voice for Peace, former principal United Hebrew Schools of Metro Detroit, Temple Beth Jacob (Pontiac MI), Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Cong. (Ann Arbor), former member Education Commission of Reconstructionist Judaism, former member Hebrew Teachers Assoc. of Metro Detroit, former Steering Committee member Graduate Employees Org. of Univ of Michigan

“I support teachers’ efforts to stand up for the truth, to stand up for teaching the truth, and to resisting attempts to stifle teachers’ ability to promote democratic values.”

Bernie Eisenberg

Brian J Carson

Brian Zane, Chicago Teachers Union

Burton Steck

Cara Levine

Carla Schick, retired CTA/NEA

“As educators we care about families and children; as educators we want our students to critically examine and analyze history. The genocidal and colonial-settler policies of Israel are both human rights and international law violations. It is time that our teacher’s unions speak out for justice in Palestine, and also for the rights of our Palestinian-American students who have a right to equitable education narratives. Thank you to UTLA, you are leading the way once again.”

Carol m Lang, PSC

Carolfrances Likins, UTLA member, UTLA/NEA/AFT, ICUJP

“Though I have been retired from teaching for several years, I still love my union. As one who has been twice to Palestine, I strongly support JVP.”

Cindy Levitt

“It is a Jewish value to stand with the Palestinian people. Don’t let the ADL or the Jewish Federation speak for all Jews. I support you.”

Cindy Shamban

“I think it is time for unions to take a stand on Palestine/Israel. The unquestioned support of the Israeli government does not make Israel a safe haven for Jews. Jews are not the same as Israelis and Israelis are not the same as Jews (note: 20% of the citizens are Palestinians).The violations of International Laws are many and there is no accountability. The US is also responsible through its $3.8 billion of military aid each year and protecting Israel by vetoing all condemnations of their illegal actions. I admire and support the UTLA for their public stand and clear explanation of why they have voted for the resolution.”

Claire Bergen, former UTLA member

“I am a graduate of an LAUSD high school, former UTLA member, lifelong educator in Los Angeles public schools, a rabbinic student and Jewish Studies scholar. I support the UTLA motion in support of BDS.”

Clara Mchale-Ribot

Connie Hammond

Connie Sosnoff

Corinna Mullin

Craig Willse

D Ashford

“This is the time to assert moral clarity about the grievous, ongoing violence and apartheid policies of Israel against the people of Palestine. Stand with Palestine.”

Dana Kopel, OPEIU Local 153

Daniel Segal, AAUP

“Stay strong! Self-respecting Jews support Palestinian freedom. Those who don’t are a shanda!”

Danielle Moyal

DAVID, CAR, SRAR

“Palestinians’ right is human right.”

David Bragin

David Feldman, UTLA member

“It is the obligation of Jews in The United States to stand with the oppressed and in opposition to apartheid and ethnic cleansing. Not in my name!”

David Klein, California Faculty Association (CFA)

David Mandel

“Teachers standing for justice is so important and meaningful. Please do follow through.”

David Spero

“UTLA’s motion is not in any way anti-Jewish. By standing for justice and freedom, it supports the highest values of the Judaism in which I was raised. Don’t be fooled by those who claim Israel represents Judaism.”

Debbie Lubarr

“As a Jewish retired teacher, I support BDS. I do not want my tax dollars to support the State of Israel’s murder and oppression of Palestinians. I resent attempts to label criticism of Israel as anti-Semitism. Thank you LÁ teachers for taking this bold step to support the Palestinian struggle for justice.”

Deborah Hellerstein

Deborah Kapell

Deirdre Silverman

“It’s time to stand up for human rights.”

Denise Rickles, United Federation of Teachers

Dr. Rabab Abdulhadi, CFA, Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas Studies, San Francisco State University

“It’s our responsibility as educators to produce justice-centered knowledge, Decolonize the curriculum and provide critical thinking on all matters of public concern including Palestine. Respect, solidarity and appreciation for our Jewish comrades and who refuse to allow Israeli colonialism, racism and apartheid to speak in their name. We struggle together for justice, dignity and freedom for all our communities. An injury to one is an injury to all.”

Edward Fisher

Elaine Waxman, SEIU — University of Chicago

“I deeply admire the principled stand that the UTLA has taken — it’s important to speak up for the human rights of all, not just some. And as a member of the Jewish community, I appreciate this anti-racist position, which is not anti-Semitic.”

Eleanor Gottesman MD

“So glad you’re supporting Palestinian opposition to Israeli oppression.”

Eleanor Wynn

“It is time to stop supporting Israel’s apartheid, settlements, and ill treatment of Palestinians. Americans must stand up due to the close ties between Israel and the United States.”

Elena Stein

Eli Lichtenstein

Eliana Letzter

“Free Palestine river to sea.”

Elias Elgarten

“Free Palestine 🇵🇸”

Elisheva Engel

“We must take any action we can to end the atrocities in Israel.”

Elizabeth C Segal

Ellen Braune

“Thank you UTLA for your courage to truly educate by teaching the truth!”

Ellen Brotsky

“I appreciate UTLA taking a strong stand against Israel’s apartheid policies against the Palestinian people. The ADL and Jewish Federation doesn’t speak for hundreds of thousands of Jews who say Not in Our Name! Thank you for standing strong.”

Ellen Dichner, CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies, Professional Staff Congress, AFT

elliot helman

“I have worked in SFUSD for decades as a sign language interpreter. I have much respect for the teachers, paraprofessionals and their union. I applaud their brave effort at standing up for justice for Palestine. My child is a recent graduate of SFUSD and was one of only 3 Jewish students in her school. I can assure you that antisemitism was not an issue. It is the Zionists who are trying to insert their privilege and make it an issue.”

Emma

“FREE PALESTINE! End settler colonialism.”

Emma Hartung

“Solidarity with Palestine is a critical opportunity to teach everyone that an injury to one is an injury to all, and is so critical in this moment! UTLA makes me proud as a Jewish educator.”

Emmaia Gelman, GSOC Local 2110

“Thank you for this much-needed act of decency, it reverberates and inspires.”

Erin Lynch, Chicago Teachers Union

“Standing up against apartheid and colonization is imperative to the students we serve in our nation.”

Estee Chandler, SAG Member

“Thank you courageous and inspiring UTLA teachers siding with the oppressed, in Los Angeles and around the world!”

Esther Farmer

“This letter is so important in challenging the narrative that has been so skewed toward Israel. Very proud to support this letter.”

Ethan Wellerstein

Farrell Simcha Brody, NEA

“As a Jew, I support this wholeheartedly!”

Franny Marion, UTLA member

Gail Lerner

Genie Silver

“JVP Philadelphia stands with you!”

Gregory Irwin

Hallie Rosen

“No one is free until all are free.”

Hannah Sands

“I am a Jewish educator who supports BDS and Palestinian rights.”

Harrison Weinfeld

Harry J Soloway, AFT

Hattie Schapiro, NYSUT

Helen Garner

Henry Norr

“Don’t give in to the bullies — stand up for justice for the Palestinians!”

Henry Todd

“I’m so proud of the stand UTLA members are taking, and want to show solidarity with them.”

Howard Horowitz

“The future of the Jewish people depends on justice for Palestine.”

Ilan Desai-Geller, MORE-UFT

“As a proud American Jew, I cannot say more clearly that we as Jews and as US citizens MUST be able to distinguish between the violent, racist, and colonizing state of Israel, and the Jewish people. To criticize the former is to say nothing of the latter. The state of Israel does not represent me or my people.”

Imran Razi

Irma Torkzadeh

Isaac Miller, Northwestern University Graduate Workers

Jackson Potter, Chicago Teachers Union

“This is long overdue. Proud of our union family in LA for taking this bold step for justice.”

Jacob Sheppard

Jaime Veve, California Faculty Association

“Solidarity forever.”

Jake Weinraub

Jane Zighelboim Awni

“My grandparents did not survive the horrors of the Holocaust, to have innocent children bombed in their name!!! They always told me that perhaps more despicable than the perpetrators themselves, were those who knew and allowed it to happen.”

Janet Goodman-Clarke

Jasmine Alkhatib

Jay Saper

Jerilyn Stapleton, SAG-AFTRA

“This is a humanitarian issue…killing of innocent citizens on both sides must stop.”

Jessica

Jessie Stoolman, UAW

“As a Jewish, Anti-Zionist, femme, I am proud to support UTLA in their heroic motion.”

Jodi L Melamed, Marquette University

Joel Reinstein

Jon

Jon DA, East Side Jews Activist Collective, IfNotNow LA

Jon Krampner, UTLA member

“Before I’m a Jew and before I’m an American, I’m a human being. And what Israel does to the Palestinians, as much as I hate to say it, is genocidal thuggery which should not be tolerated under any circumstances. BDS is necessary, but it is not sufficient.”

Jonathan Lessuck, UFT

Joshua Mayer, UAW 2865

Judith Ackerman, UFT

Judith Lienhard, retired ONA

Julia Tanenbaum

“In solidarity from Jewish librarians.”

Julie D Kosowski

“I am the Jewish daughter of a Jewish Holocaust survivor and I fully support the UTLA’s motion in solidarity with Palestine.”

Julie Weiner

“It is heartbreaking to see the cruelty, inhumanity and daily torture — beatings, gunfire, high-pressure water-cannon hosing with filthy water — daily meted out to long-time residents of Sheikh Jarah and Silwan, whose homes were rightfully given them by Jordan to compensate for their previous expulsions from their original homes. Israel’s ethnic cleansing does not stop. The State of Israel slanders and endangers the Jewish religion and the Jewish people by claiming the right to commit these crimes in our name. Judaism demands of its adherents, “Justice, justice, shalt thou pursue” — not torture, not disregarding the responsibility to adhere to international law, not pursuit of the crimes of ethnic cleansing, torture and apartheid. It is sickening to witness this callous indifference to human suffering and to the opinions of humankind. It does not bode well for the fate of our people. How can we expect to be respected if we shield our eyes and fail to stand up against these injustices carried out in our name?”

Juliette Martin

Justin Marshall

Karen Hilfman

“UTLA is to be admired!”

Karen Platt

“This Jewish retired teacher deeply appreciates your support for Palestinian justice.”

Karen Pomer

“As a granddaughter of a survivor of Bergen-Belsen and a long-time member of the Los Angeles Community, I support the UTLA Resolution for Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) of apartheid Israel 100%.”

Kate Goetz

Katy McQuillan

Kyla Tompkins, American Studies Association

Larry Hendel, retired SEIU

“I support the UTLA motion. As a Jew, I am ashamed and appalled at what the Israeli government is doing to the Palestinians. But I am definitely not antisemitic. Criticism of Israel is not, by definition, antisemitic. Stop trying to conflate the two. Supporting the BDS movement is righteous and appropriate.”

Laura Goldblatt, United Campus Workers

“In solidarity!”

Laura Whitehorn

Lauren White

Lenore Dowling, NEA

Lesley Williams, American Library Association

Lila Cohen

Linda Milazzo, retired UTLA member, CODEPINK

“Criticism of Israel’s human rights abuses has been stifled far too long. We must speak out against injustice whenever and wherever it occurs. As a retired UTLA member and matrilineal Jew, I stand in support for Palestine.”

Lisa Henschol, Hyperion Academics

“Freedom of speech and the ability to present both sides of a conflict honestly without fear of reprisals is of utmost importance to an educator.”

Lisa Rofel, UC Faculty Association

“Please stay strong in your stance for social justice!”

Lucy Blumberg

“As a Jewish person with deep roots in Los Angeles (my great grandmother Pearl Friedman was one of the first leaders of Temple Israel of Hollywood) I am honored to stand with UTLA as they vote in support of BDS. Jewish safety comes from facing the truth of Israel’s apartheid state so that Jews everywhere can find safety in solidarity with all oppressed peoples fighting against white supremacy and imperialism and not a short sighted safety of Jewish nationalism dependent on the oppression of Palestinians. We are stronger together.”

M. Theresa Basile

Malcolm Sacks, UFT (AFT Local 2)

“Love and solidarity to all those fighting for the liberation of Palestine.”

Marc Rich, UTLA member

Marcy Winograd, retired UTLA member, retired CTA

Marge Sussman

“Criticism of the state of Israel is not the same as anti-semitism and has nothing to do with the safety of Jewish students. Let’s unite against real antisemitism, white supremacy and Islamophobia.”

Marian Gordon

Mark Oickus, AFT

“As a Jewish educator I applaud you UTLA efforts to stand in solidarity with Palestinians as they seek equal rights.”

Marley Feuerwerker-Otto

Marta Guttenberg

“Real teachers teach the truth! You are the real teachers.”

Martin Levine

Matt Sollett

Maxwell Hellmann

Melissa Nussbaum

“I wholeheartedly support the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) for their excellent role modeling of critical thinking and support for Palestinian rights. All their students are fortunate to have their constitutional right to boycott for justice wherever injustice is found protected by their teachers.”

Merry W. Maisel

“BDS is directed against the government of Israel, not individual Jews, no matter what their location.”

Mia Carmel

“Free Palestine”

Michael Letwin

Michael Liebert

“Thank you for standing up for justice!”

Michael Mueller, GEO 3550 (UMich grad worker union)

“Solidarity from a Jewish grad student, educator, and union member! Your courage in standing for the common good and Palestinian liberation is truly inspiring.”

Michael Novick, UTLA member

Michal David

Michelle

Miriam Applebaum, PSC CUNY

“Thanks for supporting Palestinians.”

Nadine May

“As an American Jew, proud of my heritage, I support individuals and organizations who support human and civil rights for Palestinians by peacefully participating in BDS and any other non-violent actions which hopefully will lead to peace, justice and freedom for ALL oppressed people.”

nahla abdo, CUASA

“We should support justice and academic freedom.”

Nathan Goldbaum, Chicago Teachers Union

“It is shameful that groups who claim to fight discrimination would defame those of us fighting for human rights as anti-semites. I’m a proud Jew and a proud supporter of Palestinian rights. Zionism and Judaism are not the same. Efforts to silence legitimate criticism of Israel and its aims are a betrayal of our Jewish values of justice and solidarity.”

Nicole Espina

“This is the right thing to do”

Nina Felshin

“I stand with you in fighting deceitful attempts to equate advocating for justice in Palestine and opposing Israeli oppression of Palestinians with anti-semitism.”

Nina Havivi

“I am an alum of LAUSD and I support!! Thank you to our teachers union for standing up for what’s right.”

Noel Kent, University of Hawaii Professional Assembly

“As the son of Jews who experienced abuse in Europe many years ago, I am aghast to see Israelis imposing a violent apartheid state on Palestinians.”

Olivia Robbins

Pathma Venasithamby, University of California, Berkeley

“‘In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.’ — Martin Luther King”

Paul M. McDermott, retired UTLA member

“As educators our right to speak out on important issues of the day shall not be silenced by those who would attempt to stifle our academic freedom guaranteed under the Constitution.”

Penny Rosenwasser, AFT 2121

“As the author of a book about the effects of antisemitism, a facilitator of antisemitism workshops, and a teacher of antisemitism — and a longtime synagogue member — I unequivocally support the motion in solidarity with Palestine being advanced by courageous members of the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA). Thank you!”

Rabbi Aryeh Bernstein

Rabbi Meryl Crean

“Education should be based on the free exchange of ideas. Oppression anywhere needs to be addressed. The truth will set us all free.”

Rachel Hamburg

“As a Jewish member of the broader LAUSD, I wholeheartedly endorse JVP’s message and support the teachers of UTLA who have spoken in support of Palestinians.”

Randall Heyn-Lamb

Rashad Al-Dabbagh

Rebecca Vitale

“Antizionist jew for a free Palestine ❤ ❤ ❤ Solidarity forever”

Reef al-asad

Rhiannon Wilson

“You are doing incredible work!”

Richenda Kramer

Robert L Herbst, Herbst Law PLLC

“I am a Jewish civil rights lawyer utterly disgusted by the Zionist settler-colonial project and its oppression of Palestinians. It has to stop!”

Robert M. Adams

Roberta Frye, AFSCME Retirees

Ron

Rosa Hayes

Ros Wolf

rosalie hoffman

Rosalind Petchesky, PSC-CUNY

“As a lifelong educator, a Jew, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace, a scholar and researcher on Palestine/Israel, and a supporter of justice for Palestinians, I strongly endorse the UTLA’s resolution.”

Rosemary Wexler

Roy Felshin

Ruth Mtilsky

“This is an important letter and an important stand by the union.”

Sabrina dakak, UTLA member

Sara Katz

“I am so inspired by the courage and leadership of the members of UTLA leading this motion for dignity and justice for Palestine. Thank you for taking this action and modeling your commitment to justice for the children you teach and the broader community across the country and world.”

Sarah Dar

“I stand in support of educators who refuse to hypocritically educate our youth without acknowledging accurate historical and present day facts about Israel/Palestine.”

Sarah Koshar

Sarah Nikolic

“I am an American Jew who believes in human rights for Palestinians and supports the BDS movement. Thank you for taking brave and righteous action.”

Selena Tirado

Seth Morrison

Shatzi Weisberger

“Thank you LA Teachers”

Shay Roman, LAUSD student

Shelly Altman

“False charges of antisemitism only make it more difficult to fight and cripple real antisemitism.”

Sherry J Wolf, Rutgers AAUP-AFT

Sofia

Sonya Blan

Stephanie Locker, UFT

Stephen Jay Kern

Steve Siegelbaum, Council of Supervisors and Administrators, NYC

“As a lifelong fighter against racism and antisemitism, this statement admirably reflects that struggle.”

Susan Slyomovics, UCLA Prof. of Anthropology

Tammy Tosounian

“Thank you for standing up for what is right and being role models for our children!”

Vera Brooks

Vitaly, UTLA member, CTA, NEA

“‘Until we are all free, we are none of us free.’ ~ Emma Lazarus”

Wendel Rubinstein

“Solidarity with the brave teachers of LA! Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof”

Wendy Greenfield, Retired Teachers Association

“Thank you LA teachers for taking a stand against the terrible violations of human rights and bombing of civilians in Gaza by the Israeli government.”

Will

Yehia Y. Mishriki

“God bless you for taking the moral stand.”

Yigal Arens

Yosef Bates

“I admire your ongoing courage in the face of supremacist, often violent ideologues (as I can personally attest to — and the NYPD refuses to do their jobs) who use every tactic except open, civil, and free exchange of accurate information to bolster a rotten edifice built on baseless hatred and intolerance of ‘the other.’

Rafay

“Hopefully the persecution will end sometime soon and the region can finally heal”

Faisal Naji

“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”

Grace Ingle

“Thank you for all of your amazing work! In solidarity.”

Azniv

Abed Alshahal

Ariel Roman

“I am the daughter and granddaughter of LAUSD educators. I attended public school in LAUSD. And I am Jewish. Very happy to stand with UTLA as they support the BDS movement!”

Tiana Sham

Micah Bazant

“Thank you!!!”

Sierra Leash

Rajeev Sudhakar

Brian Sykes

Nadine N

Nicole Squassi

“NO MORE FUNDING to Apartheid states!”

Julia

Angela

Christina Garrett

“Peace is a human right”

Mohamed

Brianna

Nawal

Ahmad Haddabeh

Bela Arndt

Joseph Bohn

Michael Sidman

JS Rubin

Ben S

Sandra

Randa Akeel

Nadeen awadalla

Jenny Kastner

“I am a Jew, and the mother of a first grade teacher and union member in a Nassau County public school.”

Mia

Asher Hartman

“As an educator artist and a Jew I support the effort to end violence against Palestinians. Zionism is not Judaism. Just as Americans call for an end to violence done in our name and Christians call for an end to violence done in their name, I support an end to genocidal attacks against the Palestinian people and reject the notion that such calls amount to anti-semitism.”

Joshua Ruebeck

Asher Hill

“The support for apartheid state of Israel must end”

jody Sokolower, retired from Berkeley Federation of Teachers, current member of CTA

“Progressive teachers unions are leaders for social justice all around the world. I hope UTLA will continue and strengthen this important legacy.”

Andalus Mahameed

“I am support your help to support the Palestinians and I applaud it. It means the world to us.”

Anitra

“Thank you all for speaking up about the injustices against Palestinians. I am 3rd generation from the Shoah and I was raised by survivors and we know violence and subjugation can never bring freedom and dignity to all. May we stop the funding of apartheid and occupation, and may true peace and freedom prevail for all.”

Sophia

Jay B

John King, ACT-UAW 7902

“#BDS #FreePalestine”

Winifred Okereke

Luis Jacob

“#endIsraeliApartheid”

Marwan Bakr

Asrar Salameh

“Free Palestine 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸”

Fajir Alattar

Sam ismail

Carrie Zaremba

Amir Fleischmann

“As a Jew, it is inspiring to finally labour unions taking a stand in support of Palestinian human rights. I hope my union follows suite!”

Shannon Menke

Samiha

Hana Hobscheid

Michael Steinborn

“Solidarity!!!”

jaymie sawyer

Muiz Haider

“Don’t ignore the masses. Silent majority is silent no more.”

Rupini Kamat

Caleb Taran

Evan Carman

“FREE FREE PALESTINE”

Luis Morales

“Solidarity with the globally oppressed!”

Mariam

JENNIFER SCHNEIDER

“Showing my utmost support!!”

Hajer

Anne Erde

Spiro hanhan

“Free Palestine!”

Amany

“Please educate on what is happening to the Palestinians and acknowledge the disproportionate murders, illegal occupation of land, apartheid, illegal settlements, removal of Palestinians from there homes, discriminatory roads and checkpoints, unequal citizenship and human rights, and so on. Stop funding this and be in the right side of history. Stop listening to Israeli propaganda that is covered in falsities.”

Joshua Goldstein

“I strongly support the L.A teachers union!”

Fatima

“End Israeli apartheid and stop funding their war crimes.”

Jay Pellicci

Kelsey McGrath, Seattle Education Association

“Seattle Education Association passed a resolution 6/14/21 with nearly the same demands as the UTLA resolution. We fully support UTLA educators standing in solidarity with the People of Palestine and leveraging our collective power to support the end of Israeli Zionist apartheid and ethnic cleansing.”

Eswar Dhinakaran

“The Israeli government is perpetrating daily human rights injustices in the occupied territories. It is time to free Palestine.”

Rebecca Popuch

Jonathan Matz

“Expressing support for Palestinian rights in no way makes Jews unsafe. As a Jew, I would feel unsafe with anyone who is willing to denigrate their human rights.”

Nora Darwish

Daniel Liebeskind, Music Teachers National Association

“Thank you! It’s time to end ethnic cleansing in our name!”

Jeff Weinberger

Fatin Bleibel

Marissa Quintana, LAUSD student

Bella August

“I am an 84 year old Jewish grandmother, whose mother was a member of UTLA, and who is thrilled to see such courageous actions on the part of LA educators.”

Jordan

“Let’s keep this momentum!”

Manar

“I am with you!”

Carol Muskin

Aiden Tschammer-Osten

Lewis Guinn

Zee A

“Great work!”

Asifa Malik

“LA teachers, you are the best for taking a stand on this issue. Thank you for standing against apartheid, and for human rights.”

Evie Frankl, Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools

“Thank you UTLA!”

Najia Safi

“I fully support your efforts. Thank you for taking such a noble stance!”

Asha

Yusuf

“Please end support and aid to Israel. As a democracy we should not support this type of racist behavior. Free Palestine”

ILHAM Hamri

Sarah Sills

“Brava!”

Nida Tamache

Alice Golin

Alicia

“We will stand with Palestine till the end, to it’s freedom. Palestinians deserve to live in peace, without fear, without checkpoints, the deserve the same rights that Jews.”

Riley rosenbluh, LAUSD student

oliver rosenthal

“Cut ties with Israel! Free Palestine!!”

Yusuf Taguri, LAUSD student, UTLA member

Sheldon Donenberg

Adrienne Weiss

“As a former student of LAUSD and a Jewish educator who has devoted my work to to the liberation of all human beings, standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people is of the utmost importance right now.”

Marjorie

Leanne Zureikat

“The occupation of Palestine and the brutal treatment of Palestinians has to end.”

Nour, OCEA

Shari P

Dania

“Free Palestine 🇵🇸”

Alicia Ljungdahl

Lillian

Dennis Kortheuer, California Faculty Association (CSU system)

“Excellent letter. I am very pleased that UTLA is doing this and that JVP etc. are supporting”

Ali Qureshi

“Free Palestine !!!”

Phoebe Pierce

“As a Jew, I agree with this, that war crimes need to be stopped. It is not anti semetic in any way to stop funding war crimes, and it does not slander or hurt us Jews in any way. So it is not anti-semetic. As a Jew, I cannot stand by the countless war crimes, thoughtless murder, and ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people.”

Asma Iskandarani

Joyce aruri

“US should support justice”

Anya Auerbach

“Condemning Israeli apartheid is not antisemitic- it is our moral obligation as Jews. Kudos to the brave teachers of LA!”

Samar

Fatima Chishti, NACADA

Shaheemah Ashkar

Juwayriyah Hussain

Brighid Greene

“It’s really powerful hearing this from teachers! Brings it home!”

Ted Steinberg

Alia

“FREE PALESTINE. END THE OCCUPATION AND THE APARTHEID”

Madeleine Stokes

“Keep standing up for what is right!”

Aaron Mandell

“A fellow Jew who went to school in the Inland Empire who is very supportive of this strong message of solidarity from UTLA! Stop the US aid to Israel we need justice for Palestinians!!”

Hadeel Ismail

“Israel must be held accountable for its apartheid crimes and Palestine must and WILL be FREE! Thanks.”

Amila Karahmet

Janet

“Please support the UTLA motion!”

Fihmiya Hamdan

“I stand strong with my fellow educators In doing what is moral and just!”

nikki omanian

David

Aya G

Jumana

Zein

Nicole Voyeslavska

Yasmeen Qwaider

Salena malik

“This is what the world should be doing. Fighting for fair rights.”

Nora Lester Murad, SEIU

Marla

Rachel

“Thank you for this.”

Valeria Galindo

“We shouldn’t support a genocidal country! Our taxes should go to further education not genocide.”

Samara Davis

“Thank you for your courage!!!”

Nadia B

Delara Adams

Meme ghanim

“Do what’s right!”

Elnaz khastou

“Thank you for your solidarity with Palestine and support!”

Zeynab inaimi

“Spend the billions on Americans who need the help instead of supporting a country like Israel that just bombs and kills the indigenous people of Palestine”

Crystal isaac

Dee kaw

“Good luck”

Dian smith

Sam Dreyfus, former member of the Boston Teachers Union and Mass. Teachers Association

“I admire your courage and moral clarity! Keep it up! Boston Jews are with you!

Adrienne Banks

Mohamed

Sophia Gluskin-Braun

Nurah Hamdi

“Teachers are a moral compass for their students, this move teaches them to stand for justice. Plus, schools and teachers should be paid more not colonizers who kill innocent children.”

Emily

“Thank you for doing the right thing! The labor movement stands for human rights!”

Jasmine tasooji

“I would like money to be spent on our public schools. American children deserve better education. Stop sending our tax dollars to Israel to kill innocent children. Enough is enough!”

Lina bearat, UTLA member

“Thank you! It may be hard but you are on the right side of history!”

Roula Palmer, SEIU

“Free Palestine!”

Susan Abraham

“The last 11 day siege, IDF forces repeatedly targeted schools, children, medical facilities and the only COVID-19 testing site, we must lead with a declaration that Palestinian Human rights must be honored.”

Vince

“As a descendant of Jews, my Jewish family and I express our support of solidarity with the Palestinian people and our disgust with the actions of Israel.”

Aaminah Farooq

Ari Lev Fornari

Raya Ghuneim

Manasi

“I stand in solidarity with Palestinians and support UTLA members taking a stand.”

Momoko Hayashi

Lotfi Eldin

Rachel Wells, UAW 2865

Lily Lewis

Naushaba Rydhan, UTLA member

“Stop Israeli Apartheid”

Dahlia

Eve Hershcopf

“I’m adding my (Jewish) voice in support of the courageous members of the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) for their motion in solidarity with the people of Palestine. I wholeheartedly and emphatically encourage the union House of Representatives to approve the motion in support of justice and equality for the Palestinian people.”

Fatima

Roqayah Hamdi

“It is important people recognize the difference between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. And the message of our fight. What is occurring in Palestine are crimes against humanity, a genocide. We must urge our government to recognize they are morally responsible for funding this massacre and equally morally responsible for ending it.”

Gabrielle Fine

Salam

“This Zionism needs to end . We need justice and support from all around the world to end this. Palestinians need their freedom and need to get back what was taken from them. End Zionism and terrorism . United we stand divided we fall!!”

Abdullah Ashar

“End Apartheid”

Basel Alnaffouri

Andreas Kanagasuriam

“It’s always important to protest Israel and their war crimes, and it’s disgusting that US tax dollars are being used to fund ethnic cleansing.”

Ayesha Arief

Almas gul

“#FreePalestine #PeaceForAllHumanity”

Faryal Glootz

Carmen saiz godoy

“Basta ya de matar niños y personas desarmadas basta israel de mentir y masacrar a los Palestinos,No es una guerra es un genocidio ,No es un conflicto es ocupacion Palestina estamos contigo.Quiero aclarar algo es tanto el rechazo que siento hacia el Zionismo que me niego a escribir israel con mayuscula no es una democracia es un estado racista y terrorista”

Fizza sheikh

“No have the right to do that if you can’t help them at-least don’t support them by giving aid and providing them gestures this have to be stopped if not today then it will never gonna end wake up and take actions before it’s too late and if anything gonna happens trust me the world will going to see the worst mark my words”

Farrah

“So proud of you for standing up for the truth. When kids study this period in history, they will know UTLA stood against apartheid. Peace and love!”

Salma elkalai

“U.S should cut military aid for Israël and FREE PALESTINE”

Davy Landels

“Well done to you. Militant solidarity action by organised workers can bring real support to the workers in Palestine.”

Dimitrina Ivanova

Alex Lamm

“I grew up in Beverly Hills and attended schools in both BHUSD and LAUSD and I’m so grateful for UTLAs stance on Israel. It is beyond meaningful and I will offer my full support in any way I can!!!!”

Ali Younes

“I support the teachers union because the teachers can use that money instead of Israel.”

Farris Kabalaoui

“Free Palestine with love.”

Adam Elfaraj

Shirin Khazvand

“Thank you for doing this!!!! This is so important and I’m in full support! Let us know what else we can do!!!”

Anna Mallie

Katherine Burke

Tsela Barr

Nour

Ammaar

“We do not accept our tax money going towards the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. And I do not think that in 2021 it should be okay to rob land and imprison millions of people in an open air prison. How have our leaders allowed this to go on for 73 years? Shame on them.”

Theo Horesh

Atlanta kemsley

“Jews for Palestinian human rights.”

Ruqyah Sweidan

“Long live solidarity”

Carol, CSEA

Lucy Allen

“Solidarity with all people and organizations pushing for freedom from state terror!”

Leah Savage

Mitch

Dominique Herard, MTA

“Stay strong! In solidarity!”

Casimir Kotarski, former LAUSD student

“Thank you! As a Jewish person who grew up in the LAUSD system, this is huge and so exciting!”

Farhan firdos

Linda j Krausen

“I’m a Deeply spiritual Jew who cannot stand the Israeli Government nor its murderous bullying illegal ways. Peace! Long live the Palestinian People AND the Real Jews true to our deepest teachings of peace and tolerance!”

Jaelyn Marquez

“Free Palestine!”

Emily Felder

Hadassah Hannah Levy

Claire Nicolson-Hurtig

“Solidarity and love to UTLA educators ❤ ❤ ❤”

Deborah Mayaan

Alina sardar

“Thank you for doing your part against injustice.”

Sue Saunders

“I’m a retired CA teacher. In solidarity! End Israeli apartheid and stop funding their war crimes now!”

Tania Bride, Union of Academic Workers

Abdullah Ashar

“End Apartheid”

Judith Norman

Naomi Schiller, PSC CUNY

J Qutub

“Thank you for your courage. History will remember you stood for truth and justice!!”

Mehmet Kucukozer, Dutchess United Educators

Ashley Auer

“Thank you for your brave support for this crucially important cause and for standing on the right side of history!”

Lena

Anita Silverman, UFT New York

ML

“Jews for a free Palestine! Palestinians are leading the way to liberation and we must be in solidarity every step along the way.”

Linval DePass

“I strongly support BDS and JVP.”

Erin

Joseph Hancock, American Federation of Musicians, Local 47 and National Writers Union, Labor Today/El Trabajo Diario — World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)

“I graduated from the LAUSD (John Marshall HS) in 1975. I was taught by the UTLA educators to always respect workers’ rights. I walked with UTLA during their 6 day strike. My mother was a member of AFT Local 1521. There cannot be peace without justice. I am proud that UTLA has taken a stand on the issue of Israeli aggression and genocide against Palestinian people.”

Marion Munk, AFT

“I support Palestinian liberation and I am a Jew.”

Sophia Gabbay

“I am the president of the Kent State University JVP chapter signing in solidarity!”

Hebah Farrag