Emptiness of Hayward’s Israel boycott
Jeremy Templeton, like everyone else writing about the Hayward boycott (“Hayward City Council’s vote to divest from Israel will have unintended consequences,” Feb. 7), neglects to point out the emptiness of it.
Yes, Intel, Chevron, Caterpillar and Hyundai all do business in Israel. So Hayward will divest its investments in these companies. But what are members of the city council and fine folks of Hayward going to do? Will they sell their Hyundais and buy cars not sold in Israel (certainly not Tesla, Ford, GM — all sold in Israel). Will they get rid of their cellphones, computers and gaming devices that all have “Intel Inside”?
Bottom line, it’s a lot of bluster not backed up with a commitment to individual action.
Best of all and not on the list is Teva Generic Pharmaceuticals. Are any Hayward folks ready to give up their Teva generics for full-price brand names?
Mark Rabinovitz
Walnut Creek
Or Shalom supports Old Jerusalem eatery
I appreciate the recent coverage of the graffiti incident at the Old Jerusalem restaurant in San Francisco (“Palestinian restaurant in San Francisco targeted with anti-Palestinian graffiti,” Feb. 6). I want to add to it. Some members of Or Shalom Jewish Community heard about it. Early the next morning, one member went there with equipment to scrub away the graffiti, but it had already been erased.
Other Or Shalom members followed, eating a meal there, calling to offer support and getting food to go. When I was there, one of the servers said our support meant so much to the family and wanted me to thank everyone on their behalf. I was touched to the point of tears.
The war is devastating the people of Gaza. It has repercussions on all of us, wherever we are. We are patrons of a beloved restaurant, Jews who support a cease-fire and an equitable future, and taxpayers who are funding the war.
Laura Bresler
San Francisco