As residents of San Jose, we are watching alongside the rest of the world as Israel has murdered tens of thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians. We as people of conscience refuse to be complicit in this crime against humanity. The people of San Jose demand that the San Jose City Council divest all funds from corporations with ties to Israel’s genocide against Palestine.

THE HUMAN TOLL
Since Israel began its unprecedented attacks on Gaza in October of 2023:
39,445+ murdered, 70% of them women and children
At least 186,000 deaths expected, including indirect causes, such as access to food, water, and health services
1.9 million forcibly displaced, or 90% of the Gaza Strip
1,102+ attacks on healthcare facilities, with 84% of all healthcare facilities in Gaza damaged or destroyed
No functional hospitals left in Rafah
1.1 million face imminent famine, experiencing catastrophic food insecurity
Israel continues to block aid, despite the International Court of Justice ordering them to allow its entry into Gaza

WE ARE WITNESSING A GENOCIDE
According to a preliminary ruling by the International Court of Justice, as well as dozens of U.N. experts and legal scholars, there is ample evidence to indicate that Israel’s assault on Gaza since October 7, 2023 may constitute a genocide. Israel’s violent conduct is not limited to Gaza, as settler violence surges in the occupied West Bank and the Israeli military instigates a wider regional conflict in Lebanon, Syria, and Iran.

U.S. CORPORATIONS’ ROLE IN ENABLING THE GENOCIDE
From weapons manufacturers who directly supply Israel with missiles and aircraft, to companies providing tech services to the Israeli government, the Israeli genocide against Palestine would not be possible without the complicity and involvement of U.S. corporations.

WHAT IS DIVESTMENT?
Divestment is the practice of withdrawing investments from companies that enable the genocide that Israel is committing against Palestine. Inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement, divestment is an effective way to exert pressure on Israel until it complies with international law by meeting three demands:
Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall
Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality
Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN Resolution 194

SAN JOSE’S ROLE
According to the City of San Jose’s most recent quarterly investment report, tens of millions of dollars of our City funds are currently invested in corporations with direct ties to Israel:
Caterpillar Inc. - $7,429,000:
Caterpillar Inc manufactures construction machinery and equipment which are weaponized for the Israeli military and are used in the demolition of Palestinian homes; in the construction of illegal settlement infrastructure, border walls, and military checkpoints; and in military assaults against Palestinians.
Alphabet Inc. - $15,000,000:
Alphabet Inc’s subsidiary, Google, provides software and cloud services to the Israeli government and military and discriminates against Palestinians.
Microsoft Inc. - $31,021,000
Through its fully-owned Israeli subsidiaries, Microsoft has provided services to the Israeli government, the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD), and cloud services to the Israeli military and security bodies in Israel.

OUR DUTY TO ACT
As residents of the diverse and multicultural City of San Jose, we refuse to be complicit in genocide. We have the responsibility to do everything in our power to put pressure on Israel, and on the corporations that enable Israel, to stop the genocide and end the occupation.

Our demand is clear: San Jose City Council, divest from corporations with ties to Israel’s genocide against Palestine!

Sources & additional information: https://bit.ly/sjdivestsources