Our leaders should praise BDS supporters, not punish them
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To the editor: I was shocked and dismayed at reading two L.A. City Council members tag-team a series of anti-Palestinian letters to the editor. (“Why anti-Israel BDS activism deserves special treatment by lawmakers,” Readers React, July 10)
Councilmen Bob Blumenfield and Paul Koretz express their dangerously unconditional support of the state of Israel. They demonstrate their propensity to stifle the 1st Amendment rights of Americans who lawfully advocate for the full civil and human rights of Palestinians via the nonviolent Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment movement.
The fact that lawmakers across the U.S. are pushing through legislation restricting the rights of those who support nonviolent Palestinian resistance to decades-long injustices just goes to show how concerned many in the Israel-first crowd have become.
Standing up for the oppressed and the voiceless is what is needed from representatives in leadership positions, not the continuation of pandering to the special interests of the elite and establishment classes. That is the American way.
Joseph Sarsour, San Mateo, Calif.
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