Posted: 1/29/2015 8:10:00 PM
Author: Dr. Yaffa Weisman, President
THE ASSOCIATION OF JEWISH LIBRARIES’ STATEMENT REGARDING THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION
“On ALA Divestment from Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard, and Motorola Solutions”
The Association of Jewish Libraries is an international professional organization that fosters access to information and research in all forms of media relating to all things Jewish. The Association promotes Jewish literacy and scholarship and provides a community for peer support and professional development.
The AJL is an affiliate of ALA and stands firm in its opposition to any attempt to politicize the ALA through bigoted and hateful targeting of the State of Israel and its citizens, through veiled threats against any American company doing business in Israel. The AJL also condemns the blatant censorship exercised by the Council in denying members of ALA from participating in this discussion.
The AJL believes that the mantel of “broad social responsibilities” is crucial to the spirit of ALA, and therefore should be applied responsibly and equally to address issues such as suppression of religious freedom, genocide, terrorism, denial of equal rights and free speech to women and LGBT citizens– all travesties practiced by many Arab countries BUT NOT BY THE DEMOCRATIC STATE OF ISRAEL!
AJL membership is a rainbow of political convictions vis-à-vis Israel, but we firmly believe that Israel’s right to exist is not debatable, and that the work of our colleagues in Israel promotes professional librarianship, literacy and innovation, coexistence and peace. We proudly stand by our tradition of pursuing justice and seeking peace, and respectfully ask the Council to reject the divestment resolution before it.
Dr. Yaffa Weisman, President,
And the Executive Board of the Association of Jewish Libraries.
