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Rebecca L Fishman, School of Arts and Sciences 2004
I hope through education and a broader understanding of the unfortunate political and sociological conflicts in the middle east, people will determine that a divestment campaign against Israel would effectually punish a victim of terror, place unfair blame and pressure on Israel, while supporting violent and dishonest terror groups. Negotiations for peace should be made on the premise that both sides will maintain peaceful conduct. Unfortunately there has been no consistent effort for peaceful coexistence by the Palestinian Authority.

Robert J Levy, MD, School of Medicine Faculty, Department of Pediatrics
I am strongly against the movement to force the University to divest holdings related to the state of Israel. The movement to divest is politically motivated, and is openly anti-Semitic.

Richard D. Taub, Wharton, 02
The irony is that if we were to base aid on human rights alone, US payment to Israel would increase, while we would cut off some completely countries encouraging divestment.

Saul Fox, Law School '78
I am responsible for the largest sum contributed to the University of Pennsylvania, over its entire history, to establish a professorial 'chair' ("The Saul A. Fox Distinguished Professor of Business Law"). I would certainly reconsider any further contributions to the University should the despicable divestment petition be in any manner adopted by the University or otherwise influence its investment policies.

Jonathan Schottenstein, Wharton
Try to get this website more public so more people can sign.

Saul Rosenthal, Wharton, B.S., 1990
Thank you for spearheading this important initiative. I am sickened by the anti-Israel, anti-Semitic divestment petition, and compliment you for your fine work in opposing it.

Rear Admiral Jeremy Taylor, USN (Ret)
Israel is a true democracy in a region of dictatorships and theocracies that are the enemies of the United States. Support Israel. Thank you.

Murray Gerstenhaber, Mathematics
While I was not present at Chomsky's talk (having a class to teach at the same time), I understand that he claimed that the map of lands Israel agreed to cede under the Oslo agreements was secret. His implication was that they were not contiguous territories capable of being the basis for a viable state --in effect "bantustans". In fact the map was published as the front page of the magazine section of Ha'aretz for Friday, September 14, 2001. It took no effort to find and shows precisely the opposite.

David Markowitz, Wharton
It is disgraceful that any University, especially Penn, with a diverse student body and what I believed to be high moral standards, would entertain the idea of deligitimizing another country by allowing the debate of ending investment in Israel. Free speech and debate still shouldn't allow people to yell "fire" in a crowded theater.

Julia A Rubalevskaya, Wharton and College, 2006
I would be lying if i were to say that I hold an impartial opinion about Israel, but I would also be lying if I were to say that I agreed with their policies completely. Through argument comes understanding and, throughout the lifetime-long argument that I have had with my friends regarding Israel, I have learned that we, too, are culpable. But, in the end, either you support the existence of the state of Israel or you don't. That's how PennPAC puts the question and, honestly, I think that that's largely how it stands. Israel does not have the luxury of many established countries to revise its policies regularly to fit the niceties of the current political climate, Israel is fighting for survival. In the end, you stand for Israel or you stand against it. I, and PennPAC, stand for it.

Herb Denenberg, Arts & Sciences 1962
Divestment from Israel would sanction terrorism, mass murder and genocide. It is an outrageous proposal that should not be taken seriously by any fair-minded citizen.

Adam Rosenbluth, College of Arts & Sciences
Please keep strong ties with Israel and support her in any way the University can!!!

Avi Goldenberg, UPenn Law 2001
This is yet another misguided attempt by brainwasher liberals to shower their stupidity and cupidity on unsuspecting impressionable students!

Matthew S. Finberg, Wharton '79; Wharton G. "80
Stand strong with Israel.

Hillary Barr, 1980
The University of Pennsylvania is an excellent academic institution who such not succumb to the biased pr against Israel. If you are to divest from countries with human rights abuses there are HUNDREDs, many in the fundamentalist Islamic world, that should be targeted.

Harry P. Grossman,, Dmd, Univ. of Penn School of Dentistry - 1971
It is EXTREMELY important to be supportive of Israel's actions. They are entitled to an independent, safe country, just as we all are. By hurting them, we are hurting any/all of our important Democratic relationships in that area of the world. I strongly urge Penn, my alma mater, to support Israel's policies, and I support the Univ. of Penn's decision to repudiate divestment petition.Thank you,Dr. Harry P. Grossman

Douglas Stambaugh, Wharton 1998
As usual, the divestment from Israel petition reflects a misguided moral equivalence between Israeli national defense and Palestinian terrorism. Only a fool really believes that Arafat truly wants peace.

Dr. Lawrence Greenwood, undergraduate, 1955
I am most disappointed in this turn of events and hope that my alma mater would oppose this divestment. It makes me ashamed.

Keren Ebel-Frommer,, MD, CAS 1996
Israel is the United States' only true ally and voice of freedom and democracy in the Middle East! Do not divest and act on all the propaganda!

James C. Saunders, Dr., currently Professor of Research Otorhinolaryngology, Physiology, and Neuroscience
A truely misguided effort.

Beth Mlynarczyk, School of Arts and Sciences
Divesting in Israel is simply anti-Semitic. If the real reason for divesting in Israel were for human rights violations, those in support of divesting from Israel would claim that there are many many other nations that should not be invested in.

Amanda Elliott
Arab and Muslim organizations keep on showing their true colors through Anti Semitism and hatred toward Zionism. Thank you PennJustice for supporting Israel as we all in many colleges and universities are working hard to fight bigotry and hatred toward Jewish people.

Rena Steinbach, College of Arts and Sciences/2006
I stand with Israel!

Isaac Gefen
Thanks for your most worthy initiative and Good luck with your petition. The rot must be stopped before it pollutes Academia beyond repair.

Mitchell Litt, SEAS Bioengineering
I strongly support the petition statement to repudiate the divestment attempt. The latter is a reprehensible attack on the core principles of both the U.S. and Israel, as well as an attack on everything that Penn does and should stand for.

Andrew Rechtschaffen, 1999 Undergraduate, 2000 MBA
I hope that Penn will have the wisdom to ignore this ridiculous divestment petition. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and has repeatedly lost lives of its soldiers in attempts to kill as few Palestinian civilians as possible during military operations. I am unfortunately convinced that people who have signed the misguided petition for divestment would likely not support a similar policy for true human rights violators such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Sudan and scores of other countries from that region who routinely torture and kill their own population and their enemies. Let us never forget, as well, which country-Israel-mourned with America on 9/11, and which people--Palestinians adn others from that region--danced in celebration as the Towers fell and 3,000 Americans died in what was a large scale suicide bombing demonstration of what palestinian murderers routinely do to Israeli men, women and children.

Alan C Horowitz, Esquire
I am appalled at your obvious double standard. Do you support divestment in Zimbabwe, where white farmers are discriminated against, Syria or other Arab countries that harbor and foment terrorism? Shame on you. Alas, liberal elitist insitutions such as Penn have fallen into an abyss of unintellectual and morally reprehsible pursuits. Incidentally, the last time I checked, Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East.

Rabbi Jacob Herber
As a committed Zionist and member of the Board of Directors of Hillel of Greater Philadelphia I strongly oppose the divestment effort at the University of Pennsylvania.

Stephen Galowitz, CAS '86; WH '86
I am dismayed by the notion of singling out Israel, among all the nations of the world, for divestment. This is nothing more than antisemitism, plain and simple. Larry Summers, President of Harvard, has exposed this divestment proposal for what it truly is. I am horrified that this level of antisemitism seems to have become acceptable conduct among the "intellectual elite" of the ivy league.

Patricia Werthan Uhlmann, Graduate School of Social Welfare
I applaud this strong statement.

H. William Rautenberg, WHARTON '51
Israel is clearly our staunchest ally in the Middle East, perhaps in the world. As the only true democracy in that area, Israel both needs and deserves Penn's support, not opposition.The best interests of PENN, it's people, and those of the U. S. are undermined by the divestiture petition.As a member of the board of the Gold Coast Alumni Club of Florida, I protest divestiture in the strongest possible terms.

Morris J. Dean, L'64; C'51
We have already written to President Rodin to comment on her less than courageous refusal to
Edward Kass
The divestiture campaign unfairly places the blame for the current violence on Israel and seeks to delegitimize Israel. Additionally, I looked at the pro-divestment website and see that it makes several false statements of fact. For example, they assert that Israel is in violation of UN resolution 242 when in fact, it is in full compliance. The authors of UN Resolution 242 have repeatedly and publically said that Israel's reading of the requirements of 242 is the correct one and that the Arab world's variant interpretation is false and represents requirements that are contrary to their intent in writing the bill and contrary to the bill's meaning as written. Israel's settlements are also not a violation of the Geneva convention, not illegal (and the USA government has maintained that the settlements are not illegal), and are NOT illegal under the Oslo accords. Under Oslo, the PA agreed to put off any negotiations involving the status of settlements until the end stages of a negotiated peace. And Arafat and the PA have refused to consider reaching any permanent and lasting peace.If there is to be public pressure to bring peace, it should be applied to the Arab side which deliberately targets civilians for murder. (Approximately 80% of all Israelis killed in the recent fighting are civilians killed by Arabs while only about 38% of the Arabs killed are civilians killed by Israelis. http://www.ict.org.il/ And PA textbooks, children's TV and radio programming, and summer camps indoctrinate hate and incite violence.
Join in the statement on On- Campus Anti-Semitism (published in the New York Times)

Edna Erez, Graduate school, Sociology, 1979
I have always trusted Penn to do the right thing. Currently, the right thing to do is to support and assist Israel in its struggle for survival.

Benzion Krupka, Penn Dental 1981
I am ashamed to be an alumnus of Penn,if they exhibit such biased ideology. Are you divesting from Saudi Arabia et al? Shame!

Richard K Breslow, W '80 WG '81
This sort of petition is a function of blatant anti-semitism and ignorance. I urge Penn Hillel to make available classes in combating this ignorance and I urge the Jewish community of Penn to actively repudiate this petition and its sponsers.

Paul E Pheffer, Graduate School /History -- 1975
The misguided divestment petition decreases chances of peace by encouraging terrorists, many of whom actually aim at genocide in their wish to destroy Israel and drive out its inhabitants. Those who sign the petition for divestment are effectively partnering themselves with those terrorists.

Haim H Bau, SEAS/MEAM
I would like to see an action item condemning the Palestinian Authority for its support of terror and suicide bombings, and for violating the human rights of both victims and bombers. The lack of public outrage in the West sends a message to the perpetrators that suicide bombings and indiscriminate killings are an acceptable practice.

Caleb J Pollack, SEAS '90
Singling out Israel from among many other countries with political/ethnic/human rights "issues" is simply racist.

Michelle Miller
This is a not very subtle venue for expressing Jew-hatred.

Sol J Grazi, MD
I am appalled that Israel is being singled out among all the nations of the world

Leonard Kriegel
As a retired academic,I find the call to boycott Israel not only one-sided but as flagrant an example of the failure of Amiercan higher edication as I can think of.

Cantor Charles Segelbaum
Hashem will surely not allow "divestment" or anything else to hurt Israel. Beloved Israel will emerge triumphant, despite the arab murdering nazis and anti-semites and the obscenity of the UPenn divestment campaign.I hope that tens of thousands will sign this petition in spport of eretz yisrael. Am yisrael Chai.

David M. Stillman,, Ph.D.
What a dignified, effective response to the bigoted divestiture petition that has so disgraced the University of Pennsylvania.

Sheldon Stohl, School of Medicine, 2003
I strongly urge our University President to sign this petition as well. Without taking sides in a complex conflict, her signature on this petition would send the clear message that hypocritical double-standards do nothing to promote peace and mutual understanding.

Herb & Sissie Lipton, Wharton & Pre law
Both of our children graduated from Wharton and Pre law. It is so important not to allow lies and deceit to rule over the basic truths that we live our lives with. Thank you for your understanding of this important matter.

Marc Vermut, Wharton 1994
This action would make me seriously reconsider EVER giving funds to the University. I doubt there would be much reconciliation after such action.

Donnella Whitacre
This is misguided, if you would fight against terrorism instead and send a clear message that suicide bombings and murdering of civilians would not be tolerated, then perhaps the terrorists who seem to think they have the sympathy of the world would go back to the negotiation table and settle this in a peaceful manner. After all, they have been offered peace many times and refused it.

Ted Rosenbaum, SAS 04
I fully support the universities decision not to 'divest' in Israeli arms corporations. I am grateful to those companies that produce arms for Israel since they help insure the security of millions of people.

Howard Hodes
Israel remains a beacon of hope and, especially today, a symbol for the world of how good can and must triumph over evil. It is surrounded by hate and the constant threat of annihilation. Now more than ever is the time to show support for Israel. Shame on all the Noam Chomskys that bask in the security of our freedoms and deride their ancestors and all who died for those freedoms!!

Jack S Balser, Wharton '55
As an alumnus and father of three alumni I am very disappointed that President Rodin did not participate in NY Times ad.

David Shalom Crystal, CAS '99
Penn/Rodin should be ashamed of itself for giving an honorary doctorate to PLO terrorist Nabil Shaat in 1996.

Leonard and Susan Getz
It is disappointing Penn President Judy Rodin did not sign the anti-divestment petition published in the NY Times, along with other clear-thinking university presidents. Her refusal to take a pro-active stand against anti-Semitism infers there is some legitimacy for the pro-divestment view. The divestment campaign is an act of anti-Semitism. And anti-Semitism must be repudiated immediately. It is not a subject for intellectual debate, an excercise that is so much a part of the Penn culture. She needs to think outside the box and understand that actions against Israel are acts of ANTI-SEMITISM. Pure and simple. And anti-Semitism is not a matter for debate. She should have reputdiated it immediately. The NY Times petition was on point and Rodin's argument that the NY Times petition was not "balanced" is, at best, misguided, at worst immoral. Her refusal to sign the NY Times petition was cowardly.

Jessica C. Adelman, Wharton 2001
The divestment campaign is nothing more than poorly disguised anti-semitism. The leadership of Penn shopuld emmulate Larry Summers of Harvard, who took a stand and said as much. Such a campaign is a disgrace to a body that purports enlightened thought.

Erik Mass, College/Wharton 1993
Please publish the names of those people calling for divestment and circulate it.

Gamaliel Isaac
Why hasn't penn divested from Arab countries that support terror?

Steven L Horowitz, MD, Col of Arts and Sciences 1971
The muslims and arabs have no right to kill Jews or suggest it. There are 23 Arab nations and only 1 Jewish state with about 5 million Jews. Let the other arab nations absorb their refugees just as Israel did with the Jewish refugees. The 1 billion muslims world wide are trying to take over the world. When they suggest not investing in Israel, they are causing hatred and discrimination that Americans do not tolerate.

Alexander Barenboym, Wharton MBA 2004
To avoid any stronger language, the calls to divest from Israel given the behaviour of her neighbours are nonsense.

David P. Steinmann
Goor for Penn for knowing the difference between friend and foe, right and wrong, morality and anti-Semitism.

Paul J Rosenberg, SAS 2002
Now more than ever we should be supporting Israel.

Hilel B. Salomon,, Ph.D, 1959
To harm Israel at a time when its civilians-old people, women and children-are being victimized on a daily basis is obscene. The divestment and similar movements are merely efforts to mask the self hatred among some Jews and the extreme anti-Jewishness which revels is overjoyed at the opportunity to appear as something other than what it is.

Samuel Lehrer, Law 1954
If the U of P trustees cannot stand firm against this and other intimidation, their only honorable course would be to resign.

Ronni Gordon Stillman, Ph.D.
The carefully orchestrated campaign to encourage universities to divest from Israel is, as Harvard President Lawrence Summers suggests, anti-Semitic in effect if not in intent. The promoters of the deceptive divestment petition slander and demonize Israel by singling it out as responsible for the violence in the Middle East and for human rights violations. Scheming to incite hatred of Israel, they seek to delegitimize the Jewish State. But they will not succeed because independent thinkers will not be misled. The support for the oppose divestment from Israel petition reflects the overwhelming support for our position in the Penn community and among the American people.

Ronald D Balser, Wh '60 Wharton Undergraduate Board, Executive Ed Board
Judith...you need to step out like Harvard President did. Your voice needs tro be heard on this issue.

Michael Oren Epstein, School of Arts and Sciences 2000
I applaud President Rodin for her anti-divestiture response, however, I wish she would come out more strongly against the hate filled anti-semitic divestiture campaign.

Bery Richman Dean
We have already written to President Rodin to comment on her less than courageous refusal to join in the statement on On- Campus AntiSemitism (published in the New York Times).

Edgar R Goldenberg, Senior Associate
To divest is out and out wrong.

Shlomo Troodler, Penn Law class of 2004
It is very important to invest in Israel, culturally, financially and intellectually.Do not divest -- it would be a tragic mistake.

Ed A Bell
The Israeli govenment offered these peoples a state, they refused. Let's instead divest from Saudi companies, which have (according to the US government) a direct link to terror!

Bob Guzzardi
Israel is facing an existential threat from uncompromising killers and it is only the U.S. that stands with the Jewish State without which no Jew anywhere is safe.This is a time for investment in Israeli technologiy which has created so many productive inventions benefitting the U.S. and the world. The Arabs living in Israel have the highest standard of Arabs of anywhere in the Middle East.

George Shore
The university should address campus anti-Semitism with the same vigilance that it tackles racism.

Alan Richter, Wharton Graduate '75
Dear University of Pennsylvania, If the University of Pennsylvania divests its investments in Israel, I shall refrain from ever making a contribution to the University forever. Sincerely yours, Alan Richter

David A Fink, BS78
Are you nuts?? Israel declared a day of mourning for us after 9-11. The Arabs danced in the streets all over the Middle East. Have you no pride? Have you no shame?

Joseph L Puder
With all the Arab-Muslim dictatorial regimes in the Middle East, to pick on the only democracy in the region-Israel is obscene. Moreover, if the leftist and Arab/Muslim students and faculty seek a cause, let them fight for democracy and human rights in the Arab/Muslim world. I urge Penn to increase investment in Israel.

Iris B Sitkin
The petition to divest is blatantly biased against Israel and does not recognize that Israel's record on human rights far exceeds that of any of her neighbors. Israel promotes freedom of speech and allows Arabs to sue the government in its Supreme Court. In fact, there have been numerous cases decided in favor of the Arab petitioners and against the government. Where else do you see this in the Middle East? Egypt? Saudi Arabia? Yemen? Iraq? Iran? Give me a break. At best the proponents of divestiture are sadly misguided. At worst, they are anti-semitic or if Jewish they know very little about the history of the Middle East conflict.

Len Feldman
Divestment from Israel is morally abhorrent.

Sheldon Schlaff, M.D., Dep't of Medicine, PA. Hospital
Thank you for your response to Islamist terror and a failed Western value system.

Jack S Balser, Wharton '55
As an alumnus and father of three alumni I am very disappointed that President Rodin did not participate in NY Times ad.

Elkan Gamzu, PhD in Psychology 1971
Should the Universtiy support this political blackmail, I will do everything in my power to contact all my former and current colleagues to ask them to stop supporting Penn.

Nelson M Wolf,, MD, College 1964
Divestment is clearly anti-semitic or it would be offerred as a "solution" to the myriad of tyrannies extant in the Islamic world.

David Kotok, Wh '65; Grad '01
If Chomsky is the driver of a Penn policy, the Univ. should hang its head in shame.

Amelia Welt Katzen, Law 1981
The fact that the divestment petitioners do not call for divestment from such true human rights violators as China, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Syria or Saudia Arabia demonstrates that the driving force for this movement is in fact anti-Semitism.

Andrew H. Cohn, College 1966
I do not wholly endorse the positions adopted by the Sharon Government, in particular the misguided furtherance of indefensible settlements. However, divestment is too blunt and instrument and unfair to the democratic forces in Israel working for a more balanced set of policy initiatives.

Henry Wilf, wharton
If this goes thru ---FORGET MY HARRISON PLEDGE !!!!

Charles J. Hyman, MD
This divestment drive is Anti-Semitic, Anti-Jewish and not just Anti-Zionistic. A Palestinian state was created in the 1940's.The Arab states except Jordan to a degree has kept the Palestinians a nationless group purposefully as a ploy for the destruction of the State of Israel. Israel absorbed an equal number of refugees that were thrown out of Arab countries. There is no mention of this refugee problem. I agree that the Palestinians are an oppressed people, but how can anyone ignore the fact that Arafat and his cronies have extorted over 1.5 BILLION DOLLARS that was to go to the people. The worthless organization called the UN whose people give funds to terrorist organizations instead of the people and who sell food for sex and other acts of abomination is equally blameworthy.

Paul R. Greenwald
To consider divestiture is totally outrageous. What should be considered is divestiture of investments in countries which portray Israel as terrorists and the opposition as anything but terrorists.

Vel Werblowsky
Israel is the only democratic ally the U.S. has in the Middle East. Trying to undermine Israel is a vote for terrorism. Israel, like the U.S. must be supported in its fight against terrorism.

Steven B Levine
Israel is perhaps, the most moral of nations in the entire universe. Stop the anti-Semitism.

Joseph Reinman
As events all over the world prove: Israel is the only true democracy in the Middle East and goes to great lengths to preserve life. It is the radical Moslems that seek to destabilize legitimate governments with no regard for human life even their own people.

Samuel J. Savitz, Senior Associate
To single out Israel, alone, for divestment would be a flagrant act of anti-Semitism, an act that no fair-minded person would tolerate.

Michael Agus,, MD, CAS '90, MED '95
This is a misguided attempt to single out Israel among all nations and to simplify to an absurd degree an extremely complex set of issues in Israel and the entire Middle East.

Norris D. Wolff, Wharton, Class of 1966
I was sickened, shocked and outraged by the anti-Israeli petition being ciculated on campus. Norris D. Wolff, Wharton '66

Brad J. Finkelstein, Wharton 1991
You can forget about future contributions if Penn divests from Israel.

Glynis Gerber, 2004
I support U of P's osition not to divest.

Samuel Hurwitz, Dental '56
If you divest the University from Israel, I will divest myself of my U of P diploma. I will return it to you in shreds as a momento of your arrogance.

Thomas Freund
Israel is a country that has always supported diversity in views, backgrounds. It is also a consistent supporter of peace with security and justice for all. This is not a time to attack a democracy in a sea of intolerance and demagogues. We need to support peace and democracy.

G Gerber, 2004 Med School
I support U of P's position not to divest.

J. Harvey Karp
ONE LESS COLLEGE FOR MY CHILDREN TO DECIDE WHERE TO GO

Ira Born
Divestment would harm our single dependable ally in the Mid-East, the only functioning democracy in the area.

Aaron Glatt,, MD, Associate Dean, NY Medical College
I most strongly support the University of Pennsylvania's decision to repudiate the divestment petition and to continue to invest culturally, financially, and intellectually in Israel and its future, in order to ensure the endurance of our shared values and freedom.

Marjorie Glatt,, Esq.
I most strongly support the University of Pennsylvania's decision to repudiate the divestment petition and to continue to invest culturally, financially, and intellectually in Israel and its future, in order to ensure the endurance of our shared values and freedom.

Ephraim Glatt
I most strongly support the University of Pennsylvania's decision to repudiate the divestment petition and to continue to invest culturally, financially, and intellectually in Israel and its future, in order to ensure the endurance of our shared values and freedom.

Margo Itskowitch
It is appalling that in response to the tragic situation in the Middle East some universities choose to associate their names with a distorted position that ignores the history of the last few years and revives rhetoric long discredited by its use among extremists as code for the destruction of the Jewish State.

Carol Kort
"Singling out Israel, among all the countries in the world, for divestment, is an action which is anti-Semitic in effect, if not intent. Please note that Jordan killed more Palestinians in a single month (Black September) than Israel has between 1948 and the present. Nor is Israel the only country that is occupying lands claimed by others. China, Russia, Turkey, Iraq, Spain, France and numerous others control not only land, but people who seek independence. Israel is the only one of those tha has offered statehood, first in 1948 when the Palestinians rejected the UN partition and again in the year 2000 when Palestinians rejected a state and employed terrorism." --Professor Alan M. Dershowitz, Harvard Law School

Sherine Levine
Please don't believe the Arab propoganda against Israel.

Ronnie Beth Bush, undergraduate 1956
This is a misguided response to pressure from anti-Israel factions. If the US needs a friend in the middle east, Israel is our only support.

Elissa Lipcon Kramer, CW '73
It seems to me that there are a number of countries that ought to be targetted way ahead of Israel. Israel is a democracy - as imperfect as ours, but it is a democracy and they are attempting to defend their borders. Is this any different than the U.S. in Afghanistan?

Jay Newman
It is becoming clear that opponents of Israel are engaging in a subterfuge that only thinly masks rabid anti-semitism. Efforts to encourage divestment are nothing more than anti-semitism in a thin cloak. As such they must be opposed with vigor.

David Hirschorn,, MD, SEAS '92
I am now at Harvard Med School, and I am glad to say that the University president has publicly rejected this misguided idea.

Abe Sultanik
There is no good reason to divest from investments in IsraelI oppose the divestment petition

Harrison W. Kimbrell
Sanity please!

Ari M. Berman, SAS 1996
Where's Judith in all of this?

Michael S. Epstein
I fully support the efforts to combat these Anti-Semitic petitions.

Irving Kaufman, School of Social Work 1963
Will there be a demonstration to protest Desmond Tutu at the Graduation ceremonies or will there be other ways to protest his presence on campus?

Bobbie Ghitis
The misguided divestement petition is aimed at nothing else but the destruction of Israel, the only Jewish state in the world -and consequently that of the Jewish people. Israel offered the Palestinians land for peace. Israel only received in return land for terrorism. Any attempt to deligitimize Israel will never succeed.

Benjamin Rubin, 1997
I think it is blatant anti-semitism to suggest Penn should divest all investments related to Israel. Penn should divest all investment with the U.S. since they are both fighting a war against terrorism.

Gerald Schubert, Gerald S. Schubert, Esq.Irvine, CA
Please do not go forward with your plans to divest from Israel. There are 2 sides to the story and you only seem to be considering the Palestinian side. I expect you to be fair. Any planned divestment represents either anti-Semitism or what appears to be refusal to consider both sides of the argument. I suggest that anyone in favor of divestment spend 1 week in Israel and 1 week in the West Bank. Also, please ask yourself where all the money goes that is sent to the Palestinian Authority and why the Authority has not apparently taken any steps to tear down the refugee camps in the last 50 years. Also, take the time to look up the PLO Charter on the Internet. You will see that despite Arafat's repeated promises, the PLO's goal remains the destruction of Israel. Also, please ask yourself what steps, if any, have the Palestinians taken to stop suicide bombers from attacking Israel. By the way, the Palestinian argument that Israel has taken away their means to do this is ridiculous--Not only have I never heard of any plans by the PA to stop the attacks, during any Israeli incursion, the Palestinians always seem to have enough arms to attack the Israelis. And finally, as reported by Public Broadcasting recently, please explain why the Palestinians are destroying every vestige of Jewish archeological remnants while digging under the Temple Mount.

Jason Klein, Law 1998
Israel has a strong track record for technology development and innovation -- Israeli companies should be a significant component of any diversified portfolio.

Michael Feldsher
Israel is the only democracy in the Middle east. America needs to stand up against Islamic terror. Divestment in Israel is not only anti-semetic, but it is turning our back on democracy and our only true friend in the middle east.

Alan Baldinger, C. '74
To the originators of the divestment petition: Perhaps you should remember what Ben Franklin said..."The learned fool writes his nonsense in better languages than the unlearned, but still it is nonsense."

Marcy Landesberg, senior associate student
Chomsky is a disgrace to all believing in human rights and peaceful resolution in the ME

Harold Moskowitz
We are tired of the canard that it is somehow Israel's fault that it wishes to protect itself from the Arab world who still wishes to destroy Israel in general and jews in particular. A better petition is to divest ourselves from any investments in or commerce with or gifts from the Arab world which seeks the destruction of Western Civilization.

Stuart Isgur, University of Texas
Who is heading your divestment campaign against anti democratic,anti gay,anti women,Saudie Arabia?

Sven Roos
Being a Swede old enough to have experienced the anti-semitism in my school during WW2 I think it is a shame that something like that happens today in the US

Richard L. Benkin,, Ph.D., GSAS 1976; BA (school of liberal arts) 1973
Penn--as all fair-minded people-- must continue to oppose these one-sided and biased attempts to de-legitimize and ultimately destroy the State of Israel: the only nation in the Middle East that honors and supports the values of democracy and free inquiry and debate, essential to Penn's mission.

Tamar And Kurt Simon
We are opposed to any divestment which is totally biased against Israel and not in keeping with the facts of the Mideast situation.

Sydney Heyman,, MD, Radiology
Professor Emeritus, Penn School of Medicine, Dept. of Radiology

Arthur Feldman, Wharton 1980
The divestment petition is nothing more than an extension of the continuing Arab Boycott of Israel. Do not reward terrorism. INVEST IN ISRAEL!

Tsivya Larson
Israel, the only democracy in the Mideast, our ally, and an inspiration in the humanitarian way it has handled this terrible situation, should be supported fully and completely.

David M. Mizrachi, College '88
The Red and Blue most support the White and Blue

Brett Studner
It would be a disgrace to even think of punishing Israel for the EXACT same thing that America is fighting for. A black eye to Philadelphia's finest learning institution!

Judah D. Aber, SEAS 1980
It's important for the University community to be open to all perspectives and opinions. However, there is a difference between allowing diverse opinions on campus, and having university campuses across the nation be used as a political pawns to spread hatred and anti-semitism. There must be a way to keep these types of speakers and petitions off campus. If there is anything that I can do to help, please let me know.

Elliot And Maxine Rosen
There is only one democracy in the middle east(Israel) and she needs all the support she can get including financial. To divest only gives aid and comfort to totalitarian regimes who support, foster and encourage the terror campaign that threatens the free world. Shame on any institution that would support divestment.

Julien Halfon, Wharton School 2003
Excellent initiative. I am very happy people mobilize.

Mollie Horowitz
We must continue our relationship with Israel, one of the best friends this country has!

Gemma Blech
Turning against Isarel - aprt from being morally wrong - will bring a 'judgement' on you, which you least expect

Amir Cohen, The College/Class of 1996/Psychology
Please help support Israel!

Ellis Mass, Col / WH '92
It is misleading and wrong to use the rhetoric of freedom and human rights to condemn Israel, which is literally struggling for its very existence, its very life, in the face of a well-organized campaign of terror. Israel's response to this ongoing attack has been far more even-handed than one might expect even from "enlightened" nations such as the U.S.

Earl Weinstein, College of Arts and Sciences, 1997
Noam Chomsky is a true idiot.

Eytan Bar-Chama, CAS/History/'92
The mere thought of the divestment petition is revolting to everything i was taught regarding "diversity" and tolerance at Penn. What a shame.

Florence Silvers, School of Education -June "48
I cannot believe the hatred against Israel going on at Penn!

Asaf Cohen, CAS 1996
It would be a disgrace for Penn to allow divestment and I would be personally extremely offended by such an action!!!

Ira S. Hofer, SEAS/WHARTON 02
I am appalled that this is even being considered

Robert A Greenberg, Wharton 1949
It is sad that there are disgusting efforts such as the above that need repudiation

Steve Feldman
People who call for divestment in Israel should be ashamed of themselves. Israel and its people are engaged in so many humanitarian efforts in the United States and the world that investment in Israel should be encouraged, not threatened.

Gilad J. Gevaryahu
Enough with disguised forms of Antisemitisem. Wasn't Germany lesson already forgotten?

Steve Winick, wh '71 moore '72
it is outrageous that this could even be raised as being thought about

Daniel Glass
6 members of my family, including both parents are alumna

Joel H. Yohay, Cpa
Israel tries to be just and is an open society with a free press and democratic institutions. Israel's regard for life including that of her enemies is to be applauded and is much more focused than that of any other country including the USA. We in the US did in fact use the atom bomb, napalm, and blanket bombing of civilians when we felt it would help our war effort and save American lives. I applaud what the US stands for and understand what she did but Israel has sacrificed her own blood numerous time to safeguard "innocents". There are many regimes who should be boycotted. Israel should be on or near the bottom of the list of all countries in our not so peaceful world who don't give life the respect it is due. Don't denigrate a great institution lif the U of P by going along with a divestiture plan which hurts our only true friend in the Middle East.

Allan M. Shoff,, Ph.D., GSAS 1971
It is absurd that my Alma Mater, the great University of Pennsylvania is even considering coming out against the only democracy in the Middle East, the only country which is a true friend to the United States, and the only country where scholarship and questioning are highly valued. I am appalled that it has gotten this far!

Bonnie Freundlich, Annenberg School of Communications
I wish Judith Rodin had come out strongly against this petition instead of equivocating.

Joel Goldman, CAS 1997
This is a disgrace. The University should firmly oppose such a one-sided egregious petition.

Sarah Davies Cohen, SAS 1998
Thank you for the continued repudiation of the divestment petition. It makes me proud to be an alumna.

Richard L. Freundlich, Wharton-'59
I support without reservation the University of Pennsylvania's decision to repudiate the divestment petition and to continue to invest culturally, financially, and intellectually in Israel and its future, in order to ensure the endurance of our shared values and freedom.

Martin Shandling
What a sad commentary that there should even need to be this petition drive. Are certain people's thinking so warped that they cannot tell right from wrong and good from evil?

Linda Hepner
Misguided, led by the nose. The end will be collapse of our civilization and won't they be sorry then.

Joshua A. Cohn, College '05
Let's all stand up and support the most horribly misrepresented country in the world.

Allan Saxe
Penn should be divesting from anything to do with Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, Iraq and any number of regimes. Israel is the only democracy in that part of the world. It is not perfect, but much, much preferable to any countries surrounding it. The students and faculty that wish divestment from Israel are hypocritical and anti-freedom.

Gabriel Posner, JD 2004
I stand with Alan Dershowitz, Tom Friedman, and others who have publicly stated: Divestment is anti-semitic in effect if not intent.

Ruth D. Shapiro
The simple-mindedness of the push for divestiture makes a mockery of Penn's posture as a center for intellectual development and growth.

Edward Raice, w78
i am a big supporter of penn and give alot of money. policies like this are a big concern.

Marjory Abrams
How disgusting that divestment from Israel would even be a consideration for an institution such as UPenn.

Joel Eigen, Graduate School/ Arts and Sciences '77
It is hard for me to believe that Penn would consider singling out Israel for this action. Such moral myopia is ill-fitting a premier academic insitution, and one with whom I have been proud to be associated. I certainly could not continue any relationship with Penn were this plan to divest to go forward.

Brian Grobois,, M.D., College of Arts and Sciences, 1978
You can only make peace if you have a partner who is also interested in the same goal. Hamas and Hezbollah are clear in their message: the only Palestine they want to establish occupies the entire State of Israel. Where is the peace partner for Israel?

Sarah Eisen, CAS 1998
Unless the University maintains its support for Israel, a country that welcomes people of all nationalities, religions, and ethnic groups to become citizens of its county; a country that is filled with churches, synagogues, mosques, and ashrams--unlike any Muslim country in the Middle East; a country who houses and provides citizenship to the only Muslims in the Middle East who enjoy basic human rights, including freedom of speech, dress, expression, voting, and press, I will no longer support Penn. And I know I am not alone in that assertion.

Jason S. Aschenbrand, C' 96; L '99
Bravo, Judy Rodin. Your stance is correct. May many more follow your example here.

Chay Rivka Schiloni, Have facilitated workshops for Penn Students
Investing in Israel, the Mid East's only democracy furthers the rights of not only Jews but Muslims and Christians in the region. This is an important Human Rights issues.

Emilio Bassini, W'71,Col'71,WG'73
Should Penn ever make the decision to divest from Israel, our charitable giving to Penn will cease.

Ethel Schwartz Bock
We must continue to support the only DEMOCRACY in the Middle East.

Sasha Trump, College ('95) and Ed School ('96)
Thank you for setting this up

Jason Gaffner, WUNG 1998
I am in complete agreement with the petition and very upset with the recent behavior of Penn

Dafna Yee
Any move against Israel's economy only hurts the working people - Jewish, Arab, and Christian together while it supports the 'cause' of the murderers of Israeli innocents.

Itai Baron, College/1996
This is a travesty that I should even have to sign a petition for something so shameful and sickening.

Gilbert Ross, MD, Cornell Arts & Sciences'68-- daughter is Penn alum.
The hypocrisy of analogizing Israel and S Africa's apartheid is nauseating. I am not a supporter of "settlements" and do not agree with Sharon's policies as a rule; but this is anti-semitic at its core.

David Graff, FAS '79, WG '84
I am appalled that Penn would even consider a divestment from Israel. Having traveled all throughout the Middle East and know first hand the rampant anti-semitism that exists there. If you divest your Israel investment, I will divest from Penn.

Yetta Heynick
Israel the only democracy in the Middle East needs our support. Why not divest from all those authoritarian regimes in that same neighborhood.

Adam Tuckman, Wharton undergraduate 1996
Oppose Desmond Tutu as speaker.

Eve Rice
peace will not come to the middle east until the arabs learn to abide by the rules and not just use them to destroy the democratic way of christian and jewish life

Steven M. Bernstein, Wharton 1958
As a Jew and a Penn alumnus I am outraged at the possibility that UPenn would consider any action harmful to the people of Israel

Arthur I Gordon, Penn '89
This kind of action against Israel would reward the terror campaign of Arafat.This situation is much more complex than the South Africa crisis and the two can not and should not be equated.

Louis Shamie, Wharton 2006
No nation can tolerate terrorism and give up it's security, why selectively demand it of Israel?

David Nanus, Cornell University, 1996
My fiancee is an alumna, 1998.

Trudy Gefen
Thanks for your most worthy initiative and Good luck with your petition. The rot must be stopped before it pollutes Academia beyond repair.

Gary Sigel
as a penn parent i am concerned that the university would consider such a position. has the university considered boycotting investments in the arab world, which has made war on israel since 1948 ?

David Brown
It is tragic to see institutions of higher learning showing such flagrant disregard for justice and honesty!

Grace Freed Muscarella, CW 50
A strong statement by the President that Penn intends to continue cultural, intellectual & financial ties with Israel, if not yet made, would be a proper rebuff to those who support the divestment petition.

Barbara Freedman Sassoon, College for Women 1962
Outrageous. Over the years, there have been many overt anti-semitic words and actions by Penn. It is about time there is some even handed treatment of Jews and Israel. If Israel is not the ideal society in the world, imagine how one would have to describe the despotic, cruel, and vicious regimes in her neighboring countries. I am appalled and dismayed that this could even be seriously considered by Penn.

Linda Korsin
Daughter, Melissa, graduated from The College in 1998.

Jay Litman, RISD 1976
Philadelphia native. It's time for UP to think logically and not cow-tow to intellectual fashion.To coin an older pun, today's political correctness is the opiate of the intellectuals!WAKE UP!!!

Moshe Pinchover
Justice and freedome will prevailsupport the stateof Israel which stands for itthank you

Max Sher
Why would anyone strike a blow to destroy the only democracy in the mideast?

Judith Shapiro
As one who appreciates the great democracy in which I live, I support the right of Israel, a sister democracy to protect hercitizens.

Gideon Romm, SEAS/EE/98
I would hope to see Penn continue to invest in Israel, a country that continues to herald those same values represented by the Red and the Blue.

Adena M. Goldman, School of Dental Medicine Dept. of Orthodontics '01
I strongly oppose the divestment petition. I am very disturbed that this should even be an issue. Sincerely,Adena M. Goldman, D.D.S.

Daniel Amiram, Arts and Sciences 2001
It is disgraceful that there are a significant number of people at Penn who hold such hateful views of Jews and Israel that they encourage divestment from companies that do business with Israel, yet ignore the real human rights abusers such as Saudi Arabia, Syria, China, etc.

Gary Holland, Wharton Undergraduate 1980
There are dozens of ruthless, bloodthirsty, human rights violating dictatorships that we includes most of the Islamic nations. Let's start divesting from those swine before we think about democratic freedom loving allies.

Rabbi Jay C. Shoulson
Why are we picking on the one democracy in the middle east? What about the dictatorships and murdering regimes there?

Fay Shatzkin, UCLA, Sociology, 1973
This is similar to the boycott against the Jews in Germany after Crystal Nacht. After divestment will you attempt to ban falafel or matzo ball soup? I know where it started from, now I am wondering where it will end. Fay Shatzkin

A. M. Goldstein
The misguided initiative at Harvard, of which I am a graduate, was shot down. Harvard president Summers stood firm. Penn should do the same.

Alexander C. Kleinman, Wharton MBA Class of 2001
This would be a big mistake.

Mark S Zucker, Wharton and college undergrad 1983
Unbelievable that a school such as Penn with such notable, knowledgeable and cosmopolitan administration, faculty, student body and alumni could even consider such an unbalanced and wrong idea. The Palestinian leadership has had no other agenda but the destruction of the State of Israel. G'd willing that may have and/or be changing. Israel will be the only State ever to allow for a neighboring state that has never existed before and whose leadership has demonstrated time and time again their desire for its neighbor's, Israel's, destruction. Relative to the U.S.'s response to Sept 11 and Russia's response to the Chechen rebel's siezure of the theatre in Moscow, Israel's responses have been quite measured. For instance, at great threat to their own soldiers they went house-to-house in Jenis versus carpet bomb after the multiple terrorist events by Palestinian suicide bombers including the Passover massacre where poisonous chemical agents were even detected but thank goodness, not released. Israel should be applauded as a "light unto nations" instead of reprimanded. And, the PLO leadership should be reprimanded as a terrorist group instead of being rewarded. Penn should remember Israel's absolute and continuous solidarity with the U.S. and that this is part of the reason it indures the hardships it suffers. Penn should also remember that Arafat ordered the killing of two U.S. diplomats and the CIA has it on tape as well as the fact that the Palestinian and many others in the Arab world rejoiced over Sept 11.

Nina Kaleska, CGS 1984
It is painful to believe that the world has learned so little from the horrors of of history in the past sixty years. We are surrounded by so many misguided and misinformed hate mongers. Where do these misfits come from and who is financially supporting their hateful cause?

Frederick Cohen, Wharton 57 and Law 60
I am incensed that the University would have permitted such offensive action.

Richard Zitelman, Wharton 1977
Israel is the only democratic country in the middle east.It is unconscionable to compare Israel to South Africa.We need to support Israel to support the peace process in the Middle East.Divestiture is totally inappropriate solution.

Jon Wine
Let's support democracy.

Sara Miller
Stop demonizing Israel for merely trying to exist against endless Arab terror!

Michael Rochester
The motives behind this petition are a disgrace. Any involvement by Penn, its faculty and its students is a sign of the decline of the University

Deena Sigel, ucla
as a penn parent i am concerned that the university would consider such a position. has the university considered boycotting investments in the arab world, which has made war on israel since 1948 ?

Jessica Putterman Haller, Wharton Ung 97
I am appaled that Penn would support such a blatant anti-Israel stance.

Rachel Weinstein
Why the double standard? Why do you not ask for the same of all those companies that supply the PLO with all the money and equipment to kill innocent civilians in Israel as well?Is jewish blood cheaper?If you are a humanitarian then you would apply the same standards to both countries and learn their histories well to know who began this whole problem of land occupation. Which country teaches and drills their children to become great heroes by blowing themselves up? which of the two countries teaches hate to their youth?It is easy for you sitting here in USA to want to make these decisions for Israel, go enlist fight for the cause you believe and check out the real truth from the front lines and then make a decision. do not sit behind you desk or computer and send out these petitions when your relatives, brothers sisters and parents have not fought and will not fight in this war!!!!

Jonathan Bloomberg, WG 01
No support for Israel = No support from me to the Univ. of Penn. PS. There is currently a scholorship in my name.

Arlene Peck, graduate
I am extremely disturbed by the anti-Semitic behaviour at our institutions of higher learning today. The muslum community has over run the campuses with their hatred and violence. It must not take hold in our universitites....or anywhere for that matter..

Stacey Landin
This is the equivalent to the segregation of the blacks.

Lisa Solinga
We are are very concerned about this.

Michael Serby, M.D.
Divestment would be clear evidence of blatant Anti-Semitism. Israel is struggling for its survival. Should Israel collapse, where will millions of Jews go? Back to Germany and Poland? Back to Iran, Iraq, and Ethiopia? Perhaps to Pennsylvania?

Eveie M. Wilpon, College 1997
Divestiture is a completely ignorant and hypocritical action and hope Penn, an institution that I hold in the highest regards and in my heart does not take part as it is a misguided approach.

Neil J Katz, SEAS Daniel Katz 2004
Thank you for continuing to support Israel.

Nicholas Saidel, CAS/Political Science/1998
Universities are not supposed to take political stances! That undermines their purpose as an objective academic institution which allows its students to think for themselves when presented with an issue.

Eli Kaufman
Initiatives to foster peace cannot take sides, but need to advance constructive problem-solving for mutual benefit.See: www.ipcri.org etc.Respectfully,Eli Kaufmangrowseed.org

Rose Seidman
As a parent of two children who attended and graduated fromthe University of Pennsylvania, I have always beenimpressed by the collegiality and understanding thatcould be felt among the different groups on the campus.Please let keep it that way and not take side in a conflictthat few understand and that can be resolved only bythe willingness of the parties involved to live in peace.Why not divest from Saudia Arabia, so many of itscitizens attacked us last year? Why not divest fromChina where human rights are abominable?

Lynn Champion
My daughter was looking at coming to your college. If you support anti-semitism then we will not look at your college. Israel has a right to protect herself from terriorists just like we do. Just because they are Jews doesn't take away their rights as human beings. I'm sending all of my friends this letter so they can see where you stand. Thank You Lynn Champion

Joseph Neustein,, MD, School of Medicine Class of 1977
Israel is a democracy in the truest sense of Western tradtion and deserves both moral and financial support of the university community

Cheryl Wilpon
Outraged is what comes to mind.

Paul Kessler
Does anyone have the courage to support the only democracy in the Middle East. Do you scholars listen to the daily rhetoric of hate from Arab countries? To stand against Israel is intisemitism and support of today's nazis. Pure and simple.

Adam Kolom, Wharton 04'
Read Rafael's article in First Call!

Jay Reisbaum
Oppose divestment of Israel

Douglas Segal
To hold Israel to an obviously higher standard than the rest of the world, not to mention the the rest of the middle east, begins to smell like racism (I know of no divestment efforts with regard to Saudi Arabia, Iran or Syria, all brutal regimes). Please preserve the reputation of the University of Pennsylvania as a fair, just institution, and don't let it be highjacked by racists and anti-semites.

Allan Lieberman
Do not let Arab influence dictate the policies of our estemeed American institutions.

Ruth Spergel
As a parent of two Penn graduates, one from the College of Liberal Arts and one from the Law School, I was disgusted and dismayed when I learned about the blatantly antisemitic actions of students on campus. I always thought a college education improved a person's outlook on the world.

Ethan Falkove, Wharton Undergrad 1994
Penn should continue its program to invest in Israel, the only true democracy and friend to the United States in the Middle East.Israel is striving for peace and has a right to defend itself against terrorism.

Yael Bergknoff
medical student, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Rebecca Baum
I support UofP's decision to repudiate the divestment petition and to continue investing in Israel and it's future. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. It is the only country being held accountable to such a high degree. When will the other countries in the area be held to such accountability.

Bennett J. Bergman
It is obscene to consider divesting from Israel, a country that is a democracy, where Arab citizens - men and women - can vote freely, in favor of an entity that promotes murderteaches Jew Hatred, is committed to the conversion or murder of non-muslims and considers the presence of Jewish residents to be incompatible with peace.This is the emerging anti-semitism - Penn should not be a part of it.

Elaine Silverberg, ccny
I support Israel. I oppose what is being done to Israel.

Marc Gelman
Oppose Divestment from Israel

Seymour Kanoff
Pehaps we [the United States and Israel] should stop sending money to the Palestinians since the request to divest from Israel.

Arlene T. Grossman
My husband and daughter graduated from U. of P. I feel that my family would be most fairly represented by repudiating the petition for divestment. We would appreciate very much for Penn to continue investing culturally, financially, and academically in Israel's future and stability. Thank you very much.

Alexander Rasin, Brown University/CS/2005
It is amazing how misguided the people can be (like the ones who started the anti-Israel petition).If you want to do fight against atrocities and feel so strongly about military occupation, start checking out Afghanistan first. Oh, wait, Taliban in Afghanistan are bad people... they kill and terrorize civilians... not like Palestinians or anything.

J Berman
I don't think I could add any more than what's been said except to express my alarm of the attitude that is being displayed in support of PA and the surrounding Arab countries. If they really wanted a "solution" they would not have created the problem and continue to support "terrorism" and no true desire for "peace".

Rafael Maya
Investment in Israel Bonds is good for both the consumer and mostly for the STATE OF ISRAEL... OUR ONLY REAL ALLIED IN THE MIDDLE EAST!!

Ira Parness
this is an affront to all fair-minded people and a glaring example of the sort of anti-semitism that has become rampant on american campuses. Penn should clearly reject this anti-Israel and anti-Semitic drive vigorously.

Len Lipton
Please do not give in to the anti-semitic views and propoganda which would lead to a suspension or termination of investment in the state of Israel. In all of Middle East Politics there is but one truth: If the Arabs were to lay down their arms tomorrow there would be lasting peace. If the Jews were to lay down there arms tomorrow there would be NO Israel.

Boaz Hepner, UCLA / Liberal Arts 2001
Things like this are going on all over the country, and we can't be silent and watch Israel suffer.

Melvin L. Snyder, Wharton '51
Thanks for repudiating the divestment petition.

Etta Heller
Divestment petition is sponsored by those that are anti-Israel and anti-semitic

Sj Lief
divestiture is absurd; have Penn sell it's oil stocks!

Joseph Strapp
Shame on those who favor and support Arafat's murderous regime over the only democracy and America's only true ally in the Middle East, Israel

Stanley Morantz, Univ of Ks Law 1948
Put my name on the anti-divestiture petition. This attitude could be present on any campus. I hope it is not present at KU.

Ty Steinberg
Americans do not "cave in" to blackmail

David N. Seidman
To divest in Israel would be a classic example of a double standard. If one is to divest in Israel then the question arises as to why isn't Penn divesting form Saudia Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, China,Sudan, Egypt, Algeria. None of these countries are democracies and they have no respect for the rights of their citizens.

Michael Studner, Wharton '57
Congratulations to our University President for standing up against the petition.

Linda& Ilan Kaufthal
We are long-time supporters of Penn and the parents of three Penn grads. We think that Penn's repudiation of the divestment petition is the only ethical and moral decision the University could have made in this matter. Bravo! Bravo!Bravo!

Gil Marder
My father and a number of other relatives of mine have attended Penn - I graduated from Temple University.

Gabriel (Gary) Lampert, C 65
I often oppose policies of the government of Israel, but I think that such an extreme measure as divesting Penn's investments in Israel is uncalled for.

Terri Auerbach
thank you for this petition. As a mother of two boys at Penn, I have heard that Judith Rodin does not support this but the petition shows HER we support her! Thank you.

Talia Golubtchik, SAS 2000
I am strongly opposed to divestment from Israel and hope that an institution such as the University of Pennsylvania would recognize that now is a time to support peace.

Adam Kaplan
The anti-Israel divestment petition is nothing more than anti-semitism cloaked in free expression. Shame on all who support it!

Marilyn Satlof
It is hard to believe that an institution such as U.Penn would lack any understanding of the precarious position that Israel is in.

Fredric A. Rollman, Wharton Undergrad, Class of 1977
I strongly oppose any divestment from Penn from the State of Israel.

Laura Liebman
The movement to divest is simply wrong. It is merely about hatred of Israel and the desire for the destruction of Israel as a Jewish state on the part of those involved in the divestiture campaign. It is not about peace.

Alan M. Kohn
My father, R. Reuben Kohn, graduated from the UofP with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1917.

Judith Davidson
Divestiture will fatally hurt the one democracy in the middle east.

Michele Hanley
Divesting in Israel would continue to weaken Israel's already poor economy. Divestment would show support for Palestinian terrorism.

Pincus Shain, YORK COLLEGE 1983
Since I left college it has become anything but the free and open ideas and opinions. If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel.

Irving Reinstein
Am Yisrael Chai

Benjamin Rochester
As an employee and educator at a fellow university and teaching institution (Cleveland State University) I am sickened to think that Penn is actually considering this. It is apparent that this effort is a cloaked attempt at supporting the efforts and message of the suicide bombers. While there are some actions of Israel that I don't condone this divestment effort. Just say no to support of Hezbullah, Islamic Jihad and AL Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. Say Yes to the Peace process by seeing through this fraud!!!

Robert L. Felix
Both my son (Michael S. Felix) & daughter-in-law (Karin A. Plotkin-Felix) are graduates.I am certain that divestment of investments would be a total contradiction of all that the UNIV stands for and likewise contrary to the principals of it's founders.

Marvin, Sara, Rhonda, Steven Ebert, U.Penn, '92, '95, Law '95, "00, Fels '98
Penn would be the last university in the U.S. that I would expect to hear about a petition like this. Makes me sad that my children are graduates.

Joyce Kane, Social Work 1966
Oppose Divestment of Israel

Allan David Leinwand, WH '53
If such an initiative goes foward, I will sever all ties with my alma mater, including attendance at my 50th reunion in May '03. Shame, Shame, Shame

Ronald Rudolph, Father of Penn graduate Randi Rudolph 1992
The only democratic country in the Middle East deserves our support.

Jeremy Baran, Engineering 2006
I believe Penn should not divest any support from Israel.

Susan H. Shaw
We must stand with one of our greatest allies, Israel, during these extrememly difficult times. Israel is not only our friend, but the only democratic nation amidst terrorist states.

Bernard M. Cohen
Please follow the leads of the University of Michigan, Harvard and other such universities in rejecting this blatant anti-semitic diatribe.

Don Burak, FAS 81
There will be peace in the Middle East when Palestinian terrorists love their children more than they hate Jews.

Sharon Gutman Gutman
We support this petition in the strongest possible words.

Daniel B Lidawer, Wharton Undergraduate 1981
Divestment=Anti-Semitism

Jacob Zakaria, UCLA, Political Science, 2003
Divestment from Israel is unjustified and does not help the conflict.

Jonathan P Steinsapir
The divestment campaign is, at best, hypocritical and ignorant and, at worst, blatantly anti-semitic.

Sari Stein
I'm a grad of Concordia University in Montreal, where there's also serious problems on campus with racism against Jews and anti-Israel rhetoric. We must fight this on all fronts.

Inna T Samuelson
Any University is a place of open learning and open minds. It would be a shame for Penn to lead the way to ignorance and bigotry.

Michael Neuman
Israel is the ONLY democracy in the Middle East and our best permanent ally.

Kalanit Kleinen, BA in Music and BS in Engineering
Please, the powerful people who are engaged in countering terrorism and protecting the freedom of the human race, must punish those who have as their only TARGET IN THEIR lives destroying Israel, and taking over their assets.

Kenneth Moskow
A university that claims to support freedom of thought, speech, assembly and action should stand in solidarity with Israel--a nation that also values, supports and defends these freedoms--and not the dictatorial Arab slave states that deny their people these same rights.

Michael H Sinoway, BA, 2001
I support Israel

Steven Solinga
My wife and I are very concerned about this.

Maureen L Fonken
The move to delegitimize Israel is nothing more than an attack on legitimate democracy and freedom. The state of Israel has a right to exist, as much as any country does.

Wilma Melamed
This is stupid! ISRAEL HAS A RIGHT TO EXIST!

Martin S Gometz
I submit this as a concerned resident of Bucks County in The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Ralph B. Rothstein, Wharton '45
Israel wants to live in peace with all of its neighbors. It is difficult to do if homocide bombings continue unabated. Israel has to defend its citizens as would any other democracy that is backed into a corner. Rhetoric that is filled with unthruths only tends to inflame the minds of the uninformed. Israel should not be criticized for taking measures to prevent homocide bombings.

Florence Weinberger
I am appalled that such a petition is necessary.

Fymat Robert
I am shocked and utterly revolted that this institution can promote this stupid misguided,ignorant position.I thing that U Penn should rid itself of fomenting elements,racism,radicalism and islamist students or faculty who do not see beyond their stupidity

Howard N Madris
Israel is the only multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious country in the entire region; surrounded by 22 Nazi-like Arab countries who print articles in their censored press about how Jews make Matzah from Christian and Moslem blood, and who want to create Holocaust II, to wipe out all the Jews. But of course, the Arab students and the left want to divest from Israel, not the Arab states!. They are a bunch of Jew-hating racists.

Robert Skaler, Architecture 59
I am getting fed-up with Penn, especialy if this anti-Isreal petition is sanctioned by the University.If it is, you can bet Penn will never see one dime from from this alumnus, and I am e-mailng my fellow classmates to do the same. Obviously this is the only thing left-wing Penn now understands. Penn can go to campus leftist and its extreme Muslin sympathizers from now on for gifts, better yet open let them open an office in the Gaza and see how much you get.

Burton Sukhov
I hope you will NOT hop on the "blame the victim" bandwagon that is intent on punishing Israel. May I remind you that, since its founding, Israel has fought 3 wars for its survival? Also, the present German government has made apologies and paid reparations to Israel for the activities of the Third Reich; no such things have been forthcoming from any of the Arab nations that attacked Israel. In fact, they continue their efforts, by terrorism, to complete the old German process of "endlosung" [final solution] under the euphemism of intifada. Please bear these facts in mind when thinking of divestment.

Allan Koven
Excellent response!

Benjamin Simhon
We will never let the Arabs destroy the State of Israel. Any human being has the right to exist in his own state free from any kind of terror, they will be time ( in the near future ) wherby the Arabs will beg for freedom from terror.

Michel Selva
The misguided individuals who advocate divestment fail to recognize that weakening the Israeli economy will WORSEN conditions for Arabs as well as Jews throughout the middle East. A strong economy in Israel, on the other hand, is the "last, best hope" for peace and democracy in a region governed mostly by dictators and tyrants.

Jodi Adler
Support freedom, not fascism!

Ira H. Berkowitz
I respect and support Israel. It is blatantly hypocritical of those who falsely discredit israel. the league of nations granted israel full right of settlement upon all lands west of the Jordan River. That right is unassailable! The Palestinians never had any dominion over any land. if there will be peacefully concluded negotiations that produce an end to the conflict over the disputed lands, then Israel will retire from those lands, per the terms of a negotiated agreement. Oddly enough, had the Arab nations opted to accept the Uunited Nations partition of those lands in 1947, there would today be a Palestine on even more land than the Arabs now demand. The Arab and Muslim nations chose to make war then, as they do now, using the Palestinians as a proxy fighting force. Tragically, the supporters of the Arab cause who see the Palestinians as undeserving victims only empower the myth that Jews took land that they have no right to. It is the Arabs who have stolen so much land through conquest. It is the Arabs who spread Islam from 7th century Arabia throughout North Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, where they remain to this day, and even Europe. It is the Arabs who are stealers of land. It is the Arabs who hate Israel and seek to destroy Israel, because Jews were able to get back the lands that Arabs stole from them.

Brian W Schiller
Good work...we need more of this...

Annette N. Steinborn
I support the University of Pennsylvaniaís decision to repudiate divestment.

Ariella Borman
Israel needs support!

Sharon L. Johnson
To think that anyone would even think otherwise is beyond me. GoOooooo Penn! I used to livein PA, so I hope you continue to uphold the rights of the Israelis so that I'm not embarrassed to say so.

Bonnie Stein
outragous

Gwen M Goodman, Ed/1957
Repudiate the petition for divestment!

Dr. Alvin H Arzt
The University of Pennsylvania is becoming more of a fascist university than ever. And they call it free speach.

Sharon l Goldstein
My brother and friends have gone to Penn and received wonderful educations.

Marilyn Cytryn
We have to work to stop racism against Israel and the spread of the type of Islam that is out to conquer the world.

Guily Hanono
God bless you!

Edward Grad
Congratulations for taking a stand contrary to the rest of academia

Shawn P Remak
I was embarrassed when my friends notified me of the divestment motion and its support among the school. I would hope that the University absolutely separate themselves from this motion!!

Edward Grad
congratulations for taking a stand contrary to the rest of academia

Cher j Singer
I haven't seen Israelis doing any suicide bombings.

Gladys B. Bernstein, BSEd Class of '48
As a loyal alumna I am appalled that such a petition should have been allowed to get this far.

Gregory Vistine
The blatant politics of this movement are both saddening and repulsive. With Occupation in Northern Ireland, the Sudan & Tibet to name just a few why do these actions seek to set Israel apart from all other nations? The answer is obvious and contemptuous. I hope PA has the morality to rise above the fray and stand up against the politics.

Elkan D Levy
I entirely support the opposition to divestment

Saul P Heller
We know divestment and singling out Israel is being orchestrated and we hope that the University administration condemns those who are perpetrating the injustice! They should follow the lead of Harvard's Lawrence Summers.

Betty w Heller
Why doesn't the administration speak out against those who single out Israel?

Eric S Sternberg
As a Jew I am the one to say, "We ,as a people, will never wither, will never tremble, will never ever shudder from our national Zionist goal!"

Adam Jessel
I'm currently studying in Israel, and I find that the people here have a strong desire for a lasting peace. It's just that there are no good, simple solutions. Israelis need support and encouragement, not rejection.

Karen M Rosenbaum
I support the University of Pennsylvania's decision to repudiate the divestment petition and to continue to invest culturally, financially, and intellectually in Israel and its future, in order to ensure the endurance of our shared values and freedom.

Bruce Lewis
I have no sympathy for terrorists. The USA cannot be blamed for the actions of terrorists taken against this country on September 11 and in other areas of the world.The terrorists must be held accountable.Divesting from Israel supports terrorism.

Janet R Mesirov, 1964 CW
I wish President Rodin would behave with a greater degree of honor - her reasons for not doing as she should were apologist in the extreme.

Laura N Nussbaum Solomon, Penn Law 1992
I consider it an unbelievable act of anti-semitism to suggest divestment from Israel. Israel is a democratic country defending itself from terrorism. Perhaps the rest of the world should divest from the U.S., so that those in favor of this divestment proposal would understand the lunacy.

Tova Y Epstein
Israel is a country that has had to protect herself from Arab hatred for years. This began prior to 1948. It is ignorance and baseless hatred that is causing people to focus their energy on anti Israel propaganda such as this campaign.

Steve Keen
This petition takes a one-sided view of the problems between Israel and the Palestinians, and does not recognize the terror that the Israelis have been forced to live under and their right to self-defense.

Mordechai Geisler, SAS 1998
God help us all if this works in Penn of all places. Prove just how progressive Penn is and don't capitulate to ancient anti-Jewish hatred.

Renee A Glazer, Mrs
Keep up the good work; get out the true history of the land of Israel; read the book Myths and Facts of the Middle East; and get to the biased media and tell them to report accurately and fairly.

Herve Seligmann
Thanks for doing this.

Stacia Friedman
Divestment with Israel would be equal to book burning. Academic, scholarly relationships between the University of Pennsylvania and other democratic nations should not be influenced by politics, religion or ethnicity.

Jeanette F Bressler, Ph.D., MSW '83; Ph.D. GSFA '92
Divestment from Israel is wrong! Israel is not South Africa - the situation there is far more complex and ambiguous than apartheid. Withdrawing financial support from Israel will just exacerbate an already horrible situation.

Shamir G Caplan, 2002
former Hillel employee at Penn

Betsy Bogdansky
Do not divest yourself from the State of Israel.

Joshua Atlas
It's about time this anti-Semitic furvor stops. All peace-loving members of civilization should unite behind Israel and hope for democracy and individual rights throughout the Middle East.

Jonathan W. Stein, Mr.
Family member of current Penn student and two Penn alumna

Shira Gross
I oppose the misguided divestment petition calling for punitive actions by University of Pennsylvania against the State of Israel.

David R Schlesinger
Bravo!

Sydney M Heller
Let's inform the misinformed!

Zach D Miller, SAS, English, 2001
I believe the University should support Israel, both emotionally and financially.

Henry Klein, Col '40, also MA
Let these anti-Israel students give up their financial aid contributed by alumni.

Roy Taylor, M
I, the abovesigned, who support peace in the Middle East, oppose the misguided divestment petition calling for punitive actions by the University of Pennsylvania against the State of Israel. PLEASE CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THE STATE OF ISRAEL, Show independent strength for PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

Janice L. Booker
I have just retired from the faculty of the College of General Studies and am appalled that this University would consider this course of action.

Sonya K Binstock, grandparent of Penn students
I'm very disappointed in Penn's position on this issue.

Al & Vivian Best
Re: Israel:
GOOD FOR YOU

Lawrence A Post, Wharton 68
The anti-Israel petition is insane!! I am ashamed to have gone to Penn. Wait until I tell some BIG alumni. You'll be up the creek without an endowment.

Gary Fitleberg
I WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT AN OP-ED ARTICLE ON THE TOPIC OF DIVESTMENT ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES IN YOUR SCHOOL NEWSPAPER.
PLEASE PEOVIDE ME WITH CONTACT INFORMATION ASAP!!!

Benjamin S Freedman, SAS/2002
Kudos to Dr. Rodin for doing the commonsensical thing in rejecting such ridiculous divestment campaigns. Perhaps we should divest from the U.S., too!

Alex Binson
Stop the anti-Israel activity!

George E Ehrlich
Adjunct Professor of Medicine

Ray & Roslyn Berrin
This is a wholely unfair inititive to condemn Israel and to punish the Country and its people. Surprised that so-called intellectuals would resort to this means to harm a nation that has been striving for a solution to the reign of terror aimed at its innocent population.

Yafa M Lamm
I do not support divestment from Israel, boycotts of Israeli scholars and scientists, or any effort to stifle the free expression of diverse ideas and opinions about the Middle East conflict by our faculty and students.

Dennis A Stokes
Israel has been faced with the same problem that threatens the USA. Religious fanatics that take the lives of innocent civilian to forward their cause. Only after the Palestinian Authority controls the action of their most militant people, will peace be possible.

Sari Stein, Concordia University, Montreal
We must support Israel in this time of crisis. There were/are similar problems going on at Concordia here in Montreal, and it has to stop. Am Yisrael Chai!

Gil Y Melmed, MD, SAS '95
This statement says it all.

Leon Wechsler
We, our family, and friends support Israel and its rights to live in piece. We believe the academic personnel and students are misled and missinformed as to the real trouble-makers in the Arab world.

Yehudah L. Werner
I feel associated with UPenn through having spent a sabbatical and having long-term scientific cooperation.

Dena S Brody
My son and daughter-in-law graduated from Penn 11 and 10 years ago. I am shocked that Penn would even think of doing such a thing!

Andrea Hyatt
It is outrageous that a University of such prestige would engage in such hateful and anti-semitic behavior!!
The people heading up the divestiture campaign owe their Jewish constituents a huge apology!!

Harry S. Gross, W'44
i am an active fund raiser for Penn and my class president.

David & Norma Fischbein
Besides having a excellent football team, we are delighted to see that common sense prevails at Penn State.

Herschel Schlussel, MD
Withdraw invesment from Syria , Sudan, Egypt. Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Mauritania and Palestinian Authority for abysmal human rights records.

Paul H Simons
The constant denial of wrongdoing by Arab forces , in the face of literally daily terrorist attacks around the world, but most frequently against Israelis and Jews, and the malevolent nature of the divestment scheme, is appalling and must be defeated.

Edward Karan, W/95
Israel should be praised as the only country in the world to engage in house to house urban combat to root out terrorist as opposed to carpet bombing.

Seth Friedman
Seeing as Israel has been under the gun since the day of its inception, it has done an exemplary job in maintaining a moral stance. Not so the Palestinian side.

Hillel Maresky, Life Sciences, graduating 2003
Anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism. period.

Norman Leavitt
It seems to me that anyone who is so against the State of Israel is, indirectly or perhaps directly, against the USA and everything we stand for. Israel & the USA have basically the same standard of ideals, decency, democracy, religious freedoms, etc. - none of which are allowed in any Arab/Moslem country. These Muslems/Arabs and all the rest that call for such means of trying to harm Israel surely have to also be against the United States of America. I question why they want to continue living here in this wonderful country. I sense that they want to bring to this country their awful brand of HATE. I hope it will not be too late before this becomes transparent to all.

Cindy Bergman
For a Univeristy with as fine a reputation as you have, this is a disgrace.

Seth Pransky, College 1976; HUP 1984
The divestment petition is outrageous. We must not permit this to go forward.

Anat Taggart, Sonoma State University
If Israel will terror win it will spread to other nations as well... Oh wait... TERROR DOES WIN AND IT DOES SPREAD. Help Israel stop it before it will reach your friends and family like it did mine.

Paula Monheit
We support Israel and we must have the state for our people.

Vincent Neuman,, Member, State Bar of California,
As soldiers are brutally lynched; as holocaust survivors are massacred while sitting at their traditional Passover meal; as whole families are killed or wounded while enjoying pizza in a downtown restaurant; as soldiers and innocent civilians are burned alive in the bus that was supposed to take them home - all these actions that, according to the polls, are supported and acclaimed by more than half of the Palestinian people; Israeli politicians show their utter moral bankruptcy by still offering part of God's holy land, promised to Israel, to this "nation" of killers, lynchers, and callous snipers of infants, children and parents.This is the height of absurdity. No nation in the world would ever do such a thing!

Sheila Rudoltz
WE SUPPORT ISRAEL AND ITS FUTURE.

Michael Braten
LETS divest INVESTMENTS IN SAUDI ARABIA TOO!

Doron Glazer
Disgusting !!!

Daniel Kantor,, MD, SAS 1998, SEAS 1998
I think President Rodin has made it clear -- the University does not and will not support the misguided divestment campaign. This petition is simply supporting that view.

Melvin A Fechter, N/a
I recommend a Chomsky divestment program for M.I.T., or wherever he teaches.

Michael Bayer
Divestment is hyocritical and WRONG!

Steven M Weisberg
I was a student at Penn from 1974-75 and left with a very good record.

David Ross
How can any intelligent person consider Israel the aggressor?

Richard Hanouka
Do not divest from Israel.

Ira Somach
Israel is the only hope for democracy in the region. Let it exist as dream for all nations. Do not be ruled by the law of the gun.

Ron L Nienhouse
This divestment act seems only one sided.

Reuben R Moskovitz, Mr
My signature to the petition says it all.

Rabbi Dr. Michael L Samuel
I am the Rabbi of a very large Synagogue in Upstate NY, and I will encourage all of our graduates from your university to cut off all financial support should your university support this wicked measure. Moreoever, all the rabbis of the US will do the same. Shame on you and your myopic leadership for not showing any moral backbone.

Jodi Magness, GR '89
I most strongly support this petition. Penn's divestment would be an outrage.

Morris A Sutton
Thank you !!

Gilat Cutler, Wharton MBA
I completely oppose divestment from Israel as it is completely unjustified.

Marsha Wasserman
We have four children who are graduates of Penn. We have served on the Penn Parent Committee. We are appalled at the idea of divestiture.

Meir Shinnar
Former Penn faculty 1989-1995, School of Medicine

Hedy S Smith, College 1996
As a parent who paid full tuition for my son the entire time he was at Penn, I find this narrow, anti-Semitic (call it what you want, that's what it is) behavior disgraceful.

Adrienne A. Price, W 78, FAS 78, Grad Fac 78
Thank you for circulating this important petition. Israel receives disproportionate scrutiny for its actions. As the only democracy in its region, offering freedom of religion and press to all its citizens, we should be supportive of its safety and right to exist. We must remember that the last true peace plan offered was by the Israeli government. It was countered with violence by the Palestinian Authority. Finally, let us not forget the 850,000 Jews of Arab countries who where forced to flee their countries to safety in Israel.

Alexander M Light, NA
As an excellent University, you should be aware of the Real History of the Middle East and the dynamics at issue. Itis entirely indefensible and morally reprehensible for any responsible Institution to advocate divestment from the State of Israel.

Mira Epstein
Continue to invest culturally and financially and intellectually in Israel and its future in order to ensure the endurance of our shared values of freedom.

Fern Siegel
Penn should divest from EVERY investment in the Arab world. This world supports misogyny, religious intolerance and political tyrants. The Arabs are not "moderate" nor are they just. They are anti-Semites and Penn should denounce any people or country that engages in hatred and violence.

Ellen F Zipin, CW '64
Noam Chumsky should be ashamed of himself.

Nathan Fisher
As a native Phildelphian I am counting on Penn to do the right thing!!!

Judith A Klein, Mrs, College for Women, class 47
Thanks for your effort.

Ira Jaffe, 1954
Your disingenuous attempt to hide your anti-Semitism is baffling. Wake up -WW lll is here.

Evan M Geller, SEAS 1990
Do that, and you will never ever receive $1 of my money.

Neeli Ben-David, Penn Law '96
Dr. Rodin: Thank you for taking such a strong and public stance against this latest flurry of poorly disguised anti-semitism. I am proud to have attended an institution that does not shy away from sensitive issues, and is willing to address them with courage and conviction.

Orman Yerusalim, Drexel 1958
Israel is important to the USA.

Lesley L. Israel
Both parents, most of family went to Penn

Jennifer Phillips
Criticism of Israel is fine. Criticism of Israel exclusively when the surrounding countries' human rights abuses are egregious and their populations do not have democratic regimes is anti-semitic and vicious.

Barbara Katch
Israel is suffering economically from the unsolicited, unwarranted terror imposed upon its innocent citizens!

Michael S Lattman
Father of Hayley Lattman C'97, Matthew Lattman Wh/SEAS'04

Harold Bernstein
Having read the petition I believe it contains false premises. For example, it ignores all of the abrogations by the Palistinians of accords and promises that it's own leadership signed and committed to, it ignores Arafat's rejection of the plan for peace offered by Prime Minister Barak which would have given the Palestinian people the territories they claim Israel has denied them, it presumes the legitimacy of the U.N resolutions it recites and it ignores the leadership sponsored activities of terror that result in the activities Israel complained of.

Carol Hirsh
We are ardently in favor of the State of Israel. We are equally ardent in opposition to the news of the University of Pennsylvania's student community's movement toward divestment with regard to the State of Israel. Furthermore, we will discourage any young people we know from applying to a school such as yours who would allow for such abhorrent, hate-filled agitation and negative behaviors such as this. In the end, it is you who are clearly responsible for welcoming hate-filled agitators to speak at your school just as it is you who are responsible for disseminating the Truth. When will you begin to do this?

Wilfred Rose
Israel's right to exist is implied without the permission of the U of Penn. And it has a right to defend itself by any means possible.

Emily S Weintrob
Israel is the only true friend the US has in the Middle East.

Madeline Sturm
I am a concerned citizen.

Kaplan S Bernard, MD
I subscribe to Judith Rodin's views on this subject and hope that she will adhere to her laudable principles. ALMANAC BETWEEN ISSUES October 18, 2002 On the Divestment Debate: Countering Hatred and Intimidation with Knowledge.

Linda Schorr
I have two sons who are graduates of Penn, the College '95 and Wharton '98.

Aaron Shapiro
Son in law went and is active at Penn.

Naomi J Berman
As a Cornellian, I hope that you do not give the Ivy League a bad name!

Selma Dubrow
REPUDIATE THE DIVESTMENT PETITION!!!PENN IS TOO IMPORTANT AND PRESTIGIOUS AN INSTITUTION TO GIVE CREDENCE TO DIVESTING FROM ISRAEL!!!

Sam Saal
If you don't divest from China (because of Tibet), Spain (for the Basques), Sudan (for the Animists), etc, but only focus on Israel, it is antisemitism and racist.

Brian Kopinsky
I respect Penn's moral stand against racist hatred. Palestinian crimes and murders should not be further encouraged.

Faith Schames
This is important!

Yitz Liker
While I COMPLETELY disagree with any position to disinvest in Israel, I believe your desire to do so would have more support if you were true to your beliefs - and first disinvested in ALL the non-democratic (and oppressive) Arab countries. Then, at least you could show that you are truly committed to the values you espouse when it comes to Israel.

More Comments from Signatories

Adrienne A. Price, W 78, FAS 78, Grad Fac 78 Thank you for circulating this important petition. Israel receives disproportionate scrutiny for its actions. As the only democracy in its region, offering freedom of religion and press to all its citizens, we should be supportive of its safety and right to exist. We must remember that the last true peace plan offered was by the Israeli government. It was countered with violence by the Palestinian Authority. Finally, let us not forget the 850,000 Jews of Arab countries who where forced to flee their countries to safety in Israel.

Richard K Breslow, W '80 WG '81 The divestment petition is a function of blatant anti-semitism and ignorance. I urge Penn Hillel to make available classes in combating this ignorance and I urge the Jewish community of Penn to actively repudiate this petition and its sponsers.

Paul E Pheffer, Graduate School /History -- 1975 The misguided divestment petition decreases chances of peace by encouraging terrorists, many of whom actually aim at genocide in their wish to destroy Israel and drive out its inhabitants. Those who sign the petition for divestment are effectively partnering themselves with those terrorists.

Laura N Nussbaum Solomon, Penn Law 1992 I consider it an unbelievable act of anti-semitism to suggest divestment from Israel. Israel is a democratic country defending itself from terrorism. Perhaps the rest of the world should divest from the U.S., so that those in favor of this divestment proposal would understand the lunacy?

Ronald D Balser, Wh '60 Judith...you need to step out like Harvard President did. Your voice needs tro be heard on this issue. Ron Balser, Wharton Undergraduate Board, Executive Ed Board

Robert J Levy, MD, School of Medicine Faculty, Department of Pediatrics I am strongly against the movement to force the University to divest holdings related to the state of Israel. The movement to divest is politically motivated, and is openly anti-semitic

David R Schlesinger Bravo!

Raphael M Barish, Concerned community resident These actions are simply a highly sophisticated version of the anti-semitism of the 1930's and 1940's. The world appears to be entering a new dark age.

H. William Rautenberg, WHARTON '51 Israel is clearly our staunchest ally in the middle east, perhaps in the world. As the only true democracy in that area, Israel both needs and deserves Penn's support, not opposition.The best interests of PENN, it's people, and those of the U. S. are undermined by the divestiture petition.As a member of the board of the Gold Coast Alumni Club of Florida, I protest divestiture in the strongest possible terms.

Sydney M Heller Let's inform the misinformed!

Zach D Miller, SAS, English, 2001 I believe the University should support Israel, both emotionally and financially.

Melvin A Fechter, N/a I recommend a Chomsky divestment program for M.I.T., or wherever he teaches.

Rebecca L Fishman, School of Arts and Sciences 2004 I hope through education and a broader understanding of the unfortunate political and sociological conflicts in the middle east, people will determine that a divestment campaign against Israel would effectually punnish a victim of terror, place unfair blame and pressure on Israel, while supporting violent and dishonest terror groups. Negotionations for peace should be made on the premise that both sides will maintain peaceful conduct. Unfortunately there has been no consistant effort for peaceful coexistence by the Palestinian Authority.

Sidney C. Rabin, M.D., Retired (former member of Medical Staff) This Divestment idea is ill conceived and a departure from the interesats of Western Civilization !!!

Lauren E Moldawer, CAS '97 (Math) Why does the school with the most Jewish students in the Ivy League have such anti-semitic practices?

Jay C Horrow, MD, SOM '77 It is time for President Rodin to show courage similar to that of the President of Harvard.

Merl F Kimmel Israel is defending itself from Islamic and Arab terror. The targeting of civilians by Islamic terrorists is so unmanly and disgusting. To encourage divestment from Israel makes no sense.

Michael Bayer Divestment is hyocritical and WRONG!

Marvin s Goldklang, Wharton '63; law '66 Objectivity and fairness in presentation has never been one of Mr. Chomsky's strong suits.

Roman Khabinsky We need support Israel. On every way we can. I came from Russia. I know better then many people here in USA what is real anti-Semitism is. Today a lot of people from Islamic world joint with hate against infidel Jew and America.

David Ross How can any intellegent person consider Israel the aggressor?

Janet R Mesirov, 1964 CW I wish President Rodin would behave with a greater degree of honor - her reasons for not doing as she should were apologist in the extreme.

Richard Hanouka, n/a Do not divest Israel

Ira Somach Israel is the only hope for democracy in the region. Let it exist as dream for all nations. Do not be ruled by the law of the gun

H Schoenfeld, Wharton Grad '47 Divestiture is the mask of anti-semitism, a weapon of mass destruction that must be destroyed like other WMD. Keep fighting the demons. Ron L Nienhouse This divestment act seems only one sided.

David A Fink, BS78 are you nuts?? Israel declared a day of mourning for us after 9-11. The arabs danced in the streets all over the middle-east? Have you no pride? Have you no shame?

Reuben R Moskovitz, Mr My signature to the petition says it all

Karen M Rosenbaum I support the University of Pennsylvania's decision to repudiate the divestment petition and to continue to invest culturally, financially, and intellectually in Israel and its future, in order to ensure the endurance of our shared values and freedom.

Bruce Lewis I have no sympathy for terrorists. The USA cannot be blamed for the actions of terrorists taken against this country on September 11 and in other areas of the world. The terrorists must be held accountable. Divesting from Israel supports terrorism.

James C. Saunders, Dr., currently Professor of Research Otorhinolaryngology, Physiology, and Neuroscience A truely misguided effort.

Susie Bruch It would be refreshing to hear the administration speak out as clearly as has larry Summers form Harvard. Our university should be no place for anti-semitism.

Tova Y Epstein Israel is a country that has had to protect herself from Arab hatred for years. This began prioe to 1948. It is ignorance and baseless hatred that is causing people to focus their energy on anti Israel propaganda such as this campaign.

Steve Keen This petition takes a one-sided view of the problems between Israel and the Palestinians, and does not recognize the terror that the Israelies have been forced to live under and their right to self-defense.

Mordechai Geisler, SAS 1998 God help us all if this works in Penn of all places. Prove just how progressive Penn is and don't capitulate to ancient anti-Jewish hatred.

Renee A Glazer, Mrs Keep up the good work; get out the true history of the land of Israel; read the book Myths and Facts of the Middle East; and get to the biased media and tell them to report accurately and fairly.

Herve Seligmann Thanks for doing this.

Stacia Friedman Divestment from Israel would be equal to book burning. Academic, scholarly relationships between the University of Pennsylvania and other democratic nations should not be influenced by politics, religion or ethnicity.

Jeanette F Bressler, Ph.D., MSW '83; Ph.D. GSFA '92 Divestment from Israel is wrong! Israel is not South Africa - the situation there is far more complex and ambigous than apartheid. Withdrawing financial support from Israel will just exacerbate an already horrible situation

Meryl A Griff, CAS 1992 I am distressed to find such divestment efforts underway at the place where I learned intellectual history. Is no one thinking there now?

Joseph L Puder With all the Arab-Muslim dictatorial regimes in the Middle East, to pick on the only democracy in the region-Israel is abscene. Moreover, if the leftist and Arab/Muslim students and faculty seek a cause, let them fight for democracy and human rights in the Arab/Muslim world. I urge Penn to increase investment in Israel.Joseph Puder

Sharone Levy, CAS 1996 The divestment petition makes me sick and I am shocked and appalled that there is even a need for this oposition petition. I will have to rethink any contributions to Penn.

Shamir G Caplan, 2002 former Hillel employee at Penn

Betsy Bogdansky Do not divest yourself from the State of Israel.

Joshua Atlas It's about time this anti-Semetic furvor stops. All peace-loving members of civilization should unite behind Israel and hope for democracy and individual rights throughout the Middle East.

Jonathan W. Stein, Mr. Family member of current Penn student and two Penn alumna

Shira Gross I oppose the misguided divestment petition calling for punitive actions by University of Pennsylvania against the State of Israel.

Rabbi Dr. Michael L Samuel I am the Rabbi of a very large Synagogue in Upstate NY, and I will encourage all of our graduates from your university to cut off all financial support should your university support this wicked measure. Moreoever, all the rabbis of the US will do the same. Shame on you and your myopic leadership for not showing any moral backbone.Rabbi Dr. Michael Samuel

Jodi Magness, GR '89 I most strongly support this petition. Penn's divestment wouldbe an outrage.

Ed A Bell The Israeli govenment offered these peoples a state, they refused. Lets instead divest from Saudi companies, which have (according to the US government) a direct link to terror!

Morris A Sutton Thank you !!

Dr. Penny Resnick, Penn Dental I see the radicals are taking over the university, similar to what occurred in Nazi Germany by the Hitler Yuden. I suggest you put a halt to it or a great University will be brought down. This is a very serious issue and has absolutely nothing to do with first amendment issues and freedom of speech.

Gilat Cutler, Wharton MBA I completely oppose divestment from Israel as it is completely unjustified.

Marsha Wasserman We have four children who are graduates of Penn. We have served on the Penn Parent Committee. We are appalled at the idea of divestiture.

Meir Shinnar former Penn faculty 1089-1995 School of Medicine

Hedy S Smith, College 1996 As a parent who paid full tuition for my son the entire time has was at Penn, I find this narrow, anti-Semitic (call it what you want, that's what it is) behavior disgraceful.

Alexander M Light, NA As an excellent University, you should be aware of the Real History of the Middle East and the dynamics at issue. Itis entirely indefensible and morally reprehensible for any responsible Institution to advocate divestment from the State of Israel.

Mira Epstein Continue to invest culturally and financially and intellectually in Israel and its future in order to ensure the endurance of our shared values of freedom

Leonard Kriegel As a retired academic,I find the call to boycott Israel not only one-sided but as flagrant an example of the failure of American higher education as I can think of.

Caleb J Pollack, SEAS '90 Singling out Israel from among many other countries with political/ethnic/human rights "issues" is simply racist.

Fern Siegel Penn should divest from EVERY investment in the Arab world. This world supports mysogyny, religious intolerance and political tyrants. The Arabs are not "moderate" nor are they just. They are anti-Semites and Penn should denouce any people or country that engages in hatred and violence.

Ellen F Zipin, CW '64 Noam Chumsky should be ashamed of himself.

Nathan Fisher As a native Phildelphian I am counting on Penn to do the right thing!!!

Judith A Klein, Mrs, College for Women, class 47 Thanks for your effort

Ira Jaffe, 1954 your disingenuous attempt to hide your anti-Semitism is baffling. Wake up. WW lll is here.

Evan M Geller, SEAS 1990 Do that, and you will never ever receive $1 of my money.

Neeli Ben-David, Penn Law '96 Dr. Rodin: Thank you for taking such a strong and public stance against this latest flurry of poorly disguised anti-semitism. I am proud to have attended an institution that does not shy away from sensitive issues, and is willing to address them with courage and conviction.

Paul J Rosenberg, SAS 2002 now more than ever we should be supporting israel...

Jack S Balser, Wharton '55 As an alumnus and father of three alumni I am very disappointed that President Rudin did not participate in Times ad.

Orman Yerusalim, Drexel 1958 Israel is important to the USA

Lesley L. Israel both parents, most of family went to Penn

Gerald d Horowitz the concept is ill conceived and totally improper relative to the FACTS

Stanley P Steinberg While I do not agree with all the points made in President Rodin's statement on divestment, I agree with her stance and her basis for taking this position. I believe that President Rodin is to be complemented for treating a most unfortunate situation in a rational and even-handed manner, and I want to complement her in not giving in to what I believe must have been considerable pressure by certain groups within the University of Pennsylvania community and our society in general.

Marjorie E Greenfield, U P Law School 1969 Disinvestment in Israel would be a terrible mistake, short sighted and supportive of efforts to resolve issues by terrorism instead of negotiation. Israel has made mistakes, but none warrants disinvestment. It is still the only democracy in the region.

Myra K Goldman, MS Israel has tried to make peace wih the Arabs since its acceptance as a state by the UN in 1948. It has been the Arabs/ Palestinians who have refused to negotiate a lasting peace. Israel has a right to exist and the people have a right to protect themselves from terrorist. I don't see Israeli's blowing themselves up in any Palestinian or Arab section.

Charlotte Mrs. Wilen The divestment petition is a travesty of justice and is completely unethical.

Leonard J Rautenberg, Wharton '42 My daughter, Ellen and my son Thomas, both Penn grads. also join with me.

Diana R. Podolsky Support Israel!!!!

Randi J Lipkin This is a horrible display of racist/anti-semetic behavior which I stongly oppose.

Howard Bruch, wharton grad '85 It would e refreshing to hear the administration speak out as clearly as has larry Summers form Harvard. Our university should be no place for anti-semitism.

June E Brott I'm glad to support this petition. The divestment hoards should be ashamed of their blatant hatred and prejudice.

Maurice E Schweitzer, PhD, OPIM, Wharton School I strongly oppose the misguided divestment movement.

Yisroel Goodman Have the decency to show some honesty! With the human rights violations in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, the kidnapping of children into sexual slavery in Sudan, why is Israel chosen as the whipping boy under the guise of "human rights?" Can you name a single Jew in the parliament of any of the 22 Arab countries? There are 7 Arab members of the Israeli Knesset. Can you name a single Israeli suicide bomber? Be honest and admit the real reason for this action! It has nothing to do with human rights.

Judith Bron Israel has the right to exist and it is not up to a group of students and misled faculty to decide her fate based on innacurate history and prejudice. Judith Bron

Genna b Gurkoff i go to Lhigh university-but support this petition.

Rivy Abramson The warning signs are here---ALIYAH is the only answer!!

Deborah Litwack Lived in PA for 10+ years. Appalled to hear this news!

Mark H. Schwartz, Esq. I strongly oppose disinvestment and see it as a code word for bare antisemitism. Penn should have no part in supporting disinvestment.

Gloria A. Einstein, Ms., Recreation Dept. instructor--1973-78 Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. Penn should support it, not its violent attackers.

Matthew Stein Given the truth and complexity of this conflict, divestiture is outrageous and immoral.

Shlomi Yedid I am appalled by the thought of divesting any financial or any other relationship with Israel. Lets remember that Israel is the victim to ruthless terrorist acts by a regime that sponsors and harbors terrorism. This regime should be forced to resign so terrorism could end and peace negotiations can start. I urge University of Pennsylvania to continue to foster its financial relationship with the state of Israel.

Yehudah Younessian Israel unlike many arabs states it is surrounded by are true friends of America and freedom and liberty, and as such you must take a stand of solidarity with them, and not give into pressure by those who foolishly beleive Israel is to blame for the Middle East problems.

Moses Feldberger Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and it is our duty to help continue its survival

Frank E Litwin, CAS 1985 I support the decision of the University of Pennsylvania to continue to invest in our democratic free ally in the Middle East, namely Israel.

Lela Kay Israel is the only democracy in the Mid-East and has l.2 million Arabs that live and vote and have equal rights in the country. Further, there are wonderful and innovative discoveries and medical/technology research and inventions coming out of this small nation that are a terrific investment and should be held in the portfolios of all Universities

M. Alan Sickles, Wharton 1950 Unfounded and incorrect bias against Israel has no place at Penn.

Sivanne T Mass, Pennsylvania State University/2005 Thank you for all of your work!

Debbie L Israel It is terrible that anyone should divest from a country that supports the US in a region where everyone else is anti-US. It is terrible that especially in a time of intense financial need in a tiny country fighting for its life, you are choosing to remove your support.

Michael Rosenberg Israel is our good friend and the only democracy in the Middle East.

Lynda Sussman i do not wish to receive any other info about pro or anti Israel activity at Penn.

Jonathan Z Brahms, Mr. Thank you.

Max And Betty Steinmetz We strongly denounce the divestment petition.

Andrea M Rosenblum, Ms., GSFA/Fels 1996 Also former employee. (1990-1996)

Guy R Rosenschein Such a policy has no room in a teaching and research facility, it shames whoever came up with the idea. If Ar