Note: Co-sponsored by 8 out of 11 Aldermen, this resolution is now before the Board of Alderman, who will vote on it on December 9^th, 2004. The Board will be accepting comments until December 1^st.

Whereas, Israel is currently militarily occupying land seized in the Six Day War of 1967, including the West Bank and Gaza Strip, in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 242; and

Whereas, during this occupation, Israel has, and continues to, violate the Fourth Geneva Convention on Rules of War of 1949, of which it is a signatory, by engaging in acts against Palestinians including

• Blocking humanitarian aid
• Engaging in collective punishment such as demolishing homes, destroying olive groves and curfews
• Using excessive force on demonstrators
• Acquiring land illegally across the Green Line
• Repopulating land in the occupied territories (settlements)
• Using Palestinian homes as army military stations
• Blocking ambulances
• Detaining individuals without charge
• Use of torture and ill-treatment of prisoners and

Whereas, the City of Somerville abhors and unequivocally opposes all attacks, by either Israelis or Palestinians, where civilian casualties are likely, whether the attacks are aggressive or retaliatory; and

Whereas, the Board of Alderman of the City of Somerville, in order to remain consistent with its commitment to human rights, is against contributing to and profiting from the above violations of human rights by investment in companies that sell equipment used directly in these violations, and by investment in Israeli Bonds, which are part of the funds from which Israel finances these violations;

Therefore be it resolved that:

1. The Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville urges all investors in the city to divest from companies involved with Israel's human rights violations and from Israel Bonds.


2. The Board of Alderman of the City of Somerville specifically recommends the divestment of funds currently invested in the following:


1. Israel Bonds, which help fund Israel's violations of human rights,


2. Caterpillar Inc., which profits from bulldozers that are used by Israel to illegally demolish homes


3. United Technologies, which makes the Blackhawk helicopter that is used for illegal attacks involving civilian populations


4. General Electric, which produces parts used in Apache helicopters that are used in illegal attacks involving civilian populations,


5. Boeing, which sells AH64 Apache helicopters used in illegal attacks involving civilians,


6. General Dynamics Corporation, which produces weaponry used on F16 fighter jets used in illegal Israeli attacks in civilian areas,


7. Northrop Grumman Corporation, which produces high energy lasers used by Israel in its military occupation


8. Lockheed Martin, which produces missile systems used by Israel

and all companies that manufacture military equipment used in Israel's illegal military occupation.