An open letter to Scott Wiener
State Sen. Scott Wiener, I write to you as a Californian, a Jew and someone who has long regarded you as a role model. Your leadership as a co-chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and your willingness over the years to confront antisemitism clearly and publicly have earned respect across a broad spectrum of the Jewish community. You understood that leadership sometimes requires standing firm when it would be easier to remain silent.
It is because of that record that your recent post declaring that Israel has committed “genocide” in Gaza is so troubling (“Wiener explains his ‘painful’ decision to call Israel’s war a genocide,” Jan. 12, and “Wiener, in J. interview, elaborates on why he now calls Israel’s war a ‘genocide’” Jan. 13).
Only days earlier, you declined to answer that very question in a debate, intuitively recognizing that the word “genocide” is not a policy critique but an accusation of ultimate evil. That hesitation reflected prudent judgment. Your subsequent reversal — under obvious political pressure — reflects the absence of judgment.
Today, accusations of “genocide” have become a central weapon used by movements that seek not only to critique Israeli policy but to delegitimize the Jewish state itself and, increasingly, to justify hostility toward Jews everywhere.
Criticism of Israeli policy is acceptable. The pursuit of peace is honorable. Advocacy for humanitarian protection is what it means to be a Jew. But accusing Israel of genocide is none of these things. It is a shameful act of political convenience that collapses moral distinctions, trivializes the Holocaust and empowers those who have already shown that their rage does not stop at Israel’s borders.
At a time when antisemitism is surging globally — on campuses, in cities, and in public discourse — Jewish leaders do not have the luxury of rhetorical recklessness.
Your reversal does not advance peace. It does not save lives. It does not protect Palestinians or Israelis. Rather, it emboldens those who weaponize language to vilify Israel and, in doing so, place Jewish communities everywhere at greater risk.
I’m sorry, senator, that is not moral clarity. It is moral surrender.
Rabbi Reuven Taff | Sacramento
Wiener is pandering to his base
Scott Wiener chose to gratuitously echo the slander of genocide against Israel to succor his progressive base. He cites the moonscape of Gaza and photos of innocents killed as proof of genocide, along with statements by cabinet ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. He is pandering, and he knows it.
As a member of Congress, he could lead congressional hearings to determine from experts and officials whether Israel has committed genocide in a way that differs from American actions in Mosul, Raqqa, Fallujah and other battles against insurgents in Iraq.
Rather than parroting slander, he can join with others who seek the truth and are open to giving Israel a fair hearing.
Israel is now facing fanatic jihadists who refuse to disarm in Gaza. What are Wiener’s policy prescriptions for removing the Hamas threat from Israel? Will he shrink from that in his obsequious equivocations?
Jeff Saperstein | Mill Valley
Where is Wiener’s backbone?
If Scott Wiener had a shred of honesty in his soul, here is what he should have said: “Dear fellow Jews and lovers of Israel: I am going to label Israel’s war of survival against Hamas as ‘genocide.’ I do this because to get elected, I need the votes of radical Israel-hating leftists. I am sorry to disappoint you, but I happen to have no backbone. I happen to be a moral coward.”
Scott Abramson | San Mateo
Thanks for the ‘good work’
Thank you for the Jan. 6 article “SJSU professor fired over pro-Palestinian activism wants her job back.” It was illuminating and disturbing. Despite the faculty committee agreeing that she had violated university standards and had no remorse nor felt she’d done anything wrong, they seemed to feel no more action than the slap on the wrist of a paid suspension was warranted. That says a lot more about what they think of university standards than it does about the fired professor.
Keep up the good work.
Mitch Richman | Berkeley
Mayor Martinez is good for Richmond
I am a resident of Richmond, California. I see there have been people who do not live in Richmond chiming in on Mayor Eduardo Martinez (“Richmond mayor’s supporters, opponents speak out at meeting after antisemitic posts,” Jan. 7). I am Jewish. My mother was a Holocaust survivor. I support Israel, but I am opposed to what the current Israeli government is doing in Gaza.
Mayor Martinez has done a fabulous job as mayor of Richmond. He has turned things around so that it is a much safer and more welcoming city. He has held Chevron’s (and other polluters’) feet to the fire for their pollution and the illnesses their pollution causes in Richmond. In my mind, Mayor Martinez is not antisemitic. What he did is quite naive, and he should have consulted with the Jewish community to discuss how he felt about Israel and Gaza. He has sincerely apologized and plans to meet with the Jewish community and discuss how he can make amends and become more enlightened.
Jeannette Kortz | Richmond