BRATTLEBORO-For the Brattleboro voters, the March 4 ballot is about more than just a symbolic pledge, it's about whether Brattleboro will support a divisive and misleading political statement.
Article II asks voters to approve a pledge declaring the town an "apartheid-free community." It specifically targets Israel, accusing it of apartheid, settler colonialism, and military occupation.
As a Jewish resident, I am alarmed by the rise in anti-Israel sentiment disguised as human rights activism. A pledge like this does not help anyone; instead, it spreads misinformation and deepens hostility. Why should the town take a stand that ignores Israel's right to self-defense and emboldens narratives that fuel antisemitism?
We should be working toward solutions that promote real coexistence, not taking sides in an international conflict with no easy answers. Please vote no on this harmful pledge.
Karen Shapiro
Brattleboro
This letter to the editor was submitted to The Commons.
This piece, published in print in the Voices section or as a column in the news sections, represents the opinion of the writer. In the newspaper and on this website, we strive to ensure that opinions are based on fair expression of established fact. In the spirit of transparency and accountability, The Commons is reviewing and developing more precise policies about editing of opinions and our role and our responsibility and standards in fact-checking our own work and the contributions to the newspaper. In the meantime, we heartily encourage civil and productive responses at voices@commonsnews.org.