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Excellent article on UCSF

Thank you for the excellent article about the disturbing antisemitic behavior by doctors and nurses at UCSF. (“Pro-Palestinian activism puts Jewish UCSF patients and doctors on edge”)

One would think that at a time when we have the most expensive and arguably least efficacious health care of any developed country, that the priority of the university would be to provide excellent care to its patients and a quality education to its students.

Instead, UCSF seems to prioritize activism over health care.

UCSF administrators should be held accountable for what they are allowing.

Todd Maibach
Menlo Park

No experience with antisemitism at UCSF

As a Jewish UCSF patient who is treated in multiple clinics, I have never experienced one whiff of antisemitism in many appointments. Everyone I encountered from the security guards to the senior physicians was polite, professional and totally focused on my medical issues.

The attack on UCSF for alleged antisemitism is just one more example of misusing our concerns about antisemitism to stifle legitimate criticism of the Israeli government. The protests at UCSF were all outdoors. I attended many of them and never heard an antisemitic word. Yes, speakers were very critical of the actions of the State of Israel, but that is in no way antisemitic. It is very sad that some in our community want to shut down legitimate and important personal expression on this challenging issue.

Seth Morrison
JVP Action board
El Cerrito

We can criticize any government

I am a Jewish San Francisco resident who is also a patient of UCSF. As a Jew, I find it deeply offensive when calls for a cease-fire and an end to a genocide are conflated with antisemitism. The example of antisemitism alleged in the article is staff wearing pro-Palestinian pins. A watermelon pin is not antisemitic in any way, shape or form, and calling it such endangers myself and other Jews, as it destroys credence in actual antisemitism. 

Another example included was the sharp criticism of Israel by UCSF faculty. I remind you that we are Americans, and we are fully allowed to criticize any government at any time and for any reason. The State of Israel does not represent all Jews, no matter what they may claim.

Deborah Apple
San Francisco

Handling bias at a doctor’s office

Thank you for the extensive article on UCSF antisemitism. I had a similar encounter at a local John Muir medical office in Walnut Creek when I was told to talk with an assistant about scheduling. I was upset to see that she had a “Free Palestine” sticker in full view on her desk.

I asked if she wanted to free Palestine from the Hamas terrorists. She disagreed and said she wanted to free Palestine from Israel. As I started to walk away, she shouted “Free Palestine!” at my back.

Her bias and conduct were highly offensive and especially do not belong in a doctor’s office, where there is already enough uncertainty and worry for any patient.

I complained in writing to their office and asked them to prevent such offensive conduct. I asked that John Muir employees conduct themselves in an unbiased and professional manner. I also asked if they told that staffer not to shout political slogans at patients.

The office manager was receptive and replied:

“The employee removed the sticker from her desk. I do apologize for any offense this has caused. I spoke with the [medical assistant] directly, conducted a meeting with the entire office staff, and followed up via email so that it was in writing and they had a document to reference. I also spoke with [the doctor] directly. I can assure you that this will not happen again and I do apologize.”

Ken Fishbach
Walnut Creek

Israel tries to minimize harm

Carla Schick’s letter to the editor (“Boycott SF Pride,” July 12) does a very fine job of representing one of the dominant themes of Israel’s most strident critics, i.e. that it is committing genocide in Gaza. In the spirit of a free exchange of ideas, the following is offered.

The available evidence strongly suggests that Israel is making extraordinary efforts to minimize harm to the civilian population. John Spencer, chair of urban warfare studies at West Point, has stated: “Israel has implemented more precautions to prevent civilian harm than any military in history.” These precautions include warning civilians to leave areas of imminent attack. Such a statement from a noted authority speaks for itself.

Concern for Gaza’s civilian population is commendable. But for Hamas, civilian casualties are a deliberate strategy of war. The existential threat that confronts Israel extends far beyond her borders. We must support Israel in this justified, defensive struggle against an overtly genocidal movement that threatens us all.

Steve Astrachan
Pleasant Hill

Harris criticizes Israel as a friend

I write in response to Gabe Stutman’s July 26 article “Kamala Harris supports Israel, but is it enough?”

Harris has been a friend of Israel for many years. In regard to a willingness to criticize Israel, I believe that good friends do criticize those they care about, in the sincere hope to be able to alert those friends to the potential serious mistakes they are about to make. 

She has championed the funding of the Iron Dome throughout her career. She played a critical role in Congress’ passage of the supplemental security package, which provided $15 billion of aid to Israel this spring, by calling congressional leadership to assure it passed.

She has opposed unilateral moves by Israel and Palestine in order to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution. She has been clear on Israel’s right to defend itself in the wake of the Oct. 7 massacre, and she has met with rescued hostages and their families and raised awareness of the sexual- and gender-based violence on Oct. 7.

In the Senate, Harris was the lead sponsor of a 2017 resolution condemning hate crimes, racism, and religious or ethnic discrimination.

I could go on and on, but it is not necessary. She is the Democratic nominee for the presidency in November, and I, with many others, wish her all success. Just imagine the alternative.

Eva Seligman-Kennard
J Street SF Bay Area executive committee
San Anselmo

JVP is confused

A recent letter to the editor from David Spero, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace, claims that Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, “confuses criticism of Israel with antisemitism.” (“Jew versus Jew”)

I think it’s actually JVP that’s confused, as evidenced by its consistent refusal to recognize antisemitism on the left. There are, of course, significant differences. Antisemitism claims that Jews are not entitled to the same individual rights as others, while anti-Zionism claims that Jews, as a collective, are not entitled to the same rights of national self-determination as other distinct peoples.

In 2024, anti-Zionism can mean support for the violent eradication of the Jewish state by any means necessary. That’s not simply “criticism of Israel,” just as Russian President Vladimir Putin is not merely engaging in “criticism of Ukraine.”

As Noa Tishby put it in her new book (“Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew,” co-authored by Emmanuel Acho), “If you find yourself on the same side of an argument as David Duke, the Iranian government and ISIS, then I think you ought to reflect on how you got there in the first place.”

Michael Harris
Bodega Bay

Appreciation for James Tissot

I am a subscriber and regular reader of J. I was raised Catholic and have always been drawn to the richness and beauty of Judaism.

I want to thank you for your thoughtful piece on Aug. 9 titled “Why we use paintings by Catholic artist James Tissot with our Torah column.”

I can’t speak for all Catholics, but the artistic renderings of our  “religious heroes” as flawed mortals resonates with my upbringing. Heroes persist in their efforts despite any shortcomings.

Again, thank you for sharing powerful examples and magnificent art.

Lori Slicton
Alameda