FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2024

Joint Statement Issued By Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Bay Area, Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and American Jewish Committee (AJC)

While we are grateful to San Francisco Mayor London Breed for taking the rare public step of condemning a non-binding resolution on Israel and Hamas, passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors last week, our community believes it is critical she go further by formally issuing a veto.

Given the unprecedented harm this charade has caused the Jewish community, a veto would send a strong message in support of our safety and belonging in San Francisco. The resolution created a deeply toxic atmosphere, and we agree with the Mayor’s statement that the circus at City Hall did not reflect San Francisco’s values. We anticipate hearing more from her, on both the resolution and rising antisemitism, in the coming days. Our community needs her leadership in these challenging times.

While municipal resolutions have absolutely no impact on the state of affairs in the Middle East, they are engendering hate and creating deep divisions between Bay Area communities. Antisemitism continues to surge in San Francisco, with unprecedented targeting of Jewish businesses, students, and congregations. The Supervisors in support of the resolution have given license to provocateurs to spew lies and vitriol in city hall and far beyond, retraumatizing the Jewish community. The three Supervisors who opposed the resolution, Matt Dorsey, Catherine Stefani, and Rafael Mandelman, understand this clearly.

The Mayor traveled with JCRC to Israel last year as part of the San Francisco-Haifa Sister City delegation to better understand the lives and complexities of both the Israeli and Palestinian communities. Our organizations will continue to advocate for meaningful change, including the release of the hostages, humanitarian aid to Gaza, removing Hamas from power, and pushing for lasting peace and security for the entire region.

– Tyler Gregory, CEO, Jewish Community Relations Council Bay Area
– Marc Levine, Regional Director, Central Pacific Anti-Defamation League
– Oleg Ivanov, Deputy Director, American Jewish Committee San Francisco

About JCRC
JCRC Bay Area is the largest collective voice of Bay Area Jews, working in pursuit of a more just world where Jewish identity is embraced and all people thrive. By building bridges and working in coalition with diverse ethnic, faith, political, and civic communities, we foster partnerships, provide meaningful educational and engagement opportunities, and build consensus for actionable solutions to real-world challenges. www.jcrc.org.

About ADL
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all. More at www.adl.org.

About AJC
AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 offices across the United States, 14 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.