California governor says state won't divest Israeli holdings

By Reuters

LOS ANGELES - California Gov. Gray Davis assured Israeli officials on Friday that he would not yield to any political pressure to divest the state's pension fund of its Israeli holdings.

Speaking on the day after an Egyptian gunman fatally shot two Israelis at the El Al ticket counter at Los Angeles International Airport, Davis pledged the state's ongoing economic support for Israel.

Davis, a Democrat who is running for reelection in November, made the statement at a meeting with Jewish leaders at the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles following a telephone conference with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

"To those critics in California that would have us divest our pension ... as long as the people of California want me to be governor, we will be doing business with Israel," Davis told Jewish leaders as well as reporters.

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Write to Governor Davis and tell him what you think about supporting apartheid in Israel:

Governor Gray Davis

State Capitol Building

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: 916-445-2841

Fax: 916-445-4633

governor@governor.ca.gov

Dear Governor Davis,

I am extremely disappointed that you feel Californians should continue to support the current apartheid in Israel. The racist and segregationist policies of Israel are in no way a positive example of successful democracy. Laws based on racist and religious exclusionism are dangerous and should not be financially supported or condoned.

Your choice that California not divest in its investments in Israel is just a further set back to democracy and peace in the Middle East.

Its really a shame you could not be courageous and stand up and say "no" to Israel.

Sincerely,

A voter