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The Battle for Divestment from Israeli Securities in Somerville
Publication Date: September 2005
Publisher(s): Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
Author(s): Seva Brodsky
Series: Post-Holocaust and Anti-Semitism: Web Publications
Special Collection: Berman Jewish Policy Archive
Topic: Banking and finance (Investments and securities)
Culture and religion (Multiculturalism and cultural relations)
Politics (Political ideologies and movements)
Keywords: Community Relations; Communal Organizations; Political Behavior; Israel Advocacy
Type: Report
Coverage: Massachusetts
Abstract:
In the summer of 2003, the city of Somerville, in the metropolitan Boston area, became a battleground for a proposed municipal divestment campaign against Israel. The municipality set to divest from Israeli government bonds and any companies engaged with Israel in military business. The Jewish community of the metropolitan Boston area quickly mobilized to fight this divestment campaign. This article shares the story of this process of communal organization, its positive conclusion, aftermath, and lessons to be drawn from the experience.