Though I live in Belfast, I am extremely grateful to the Portland City Council for the wisdom and courage to vote unanimously to divest from companies doing business in Israel. One of the companies on the divestment list is well known in Maine: General Dynamics, owner of Bath Iron Works and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems in Saco.

General Dynamics supplies artillery, ammunition and bombs used in Israel’s genocidal attack on Palestinians. It is the only company in the U.S. that makes the metal bodies for the MK-80 bomb series that Israel has used to bomb Gaza. It is also the only company in the U.S. that makes 155mm caliber artillery shells, which have been used extensively to attack Gaza.

For the last 11 months, President Biden, Secretary of State Blinken, Secretary of Defense Austin and members of Congress have ignored the Leahy Law, which forbids the provision of weapons to military units that are grossly violating human rights. In doing so, they are plausibly aiding and abetting genocide and may be held accountable. One wonders if the same will be true for General Dynamics and other weapons manufacturers that provide munitions for Israel’s genocidal assaults on Palestinians.

The action of the Portland City Council to divest from General Dynamics and other such companies made national and international news. May what the council members have done inspire others. They are certainly role models for our nation.

Connie Jenkins
Belfast