Somerville city council votes to divest from Israel as lone dissenter warns Jews feel targeted

Somerville City Council voted 10-1 to ban municipal contracts with companies complicit in humanitarian violations in Israel and Palestine. The lone dissenter warned the ordinance makes Jews feel targeted. The measure is final due to a veto-proof majority.

The Somerville City Council voted 10-1 on Thursday night to ban the municipality from contracting with companies that directly facilitate humanitarian violations, specifically naming those operating in Israel and Palestine. Councilor Kristen Strezo cast the only opposing vote, warning that the ordinance makes Jewish and Israeli residents feel targeted and unsafe. The ordinance, originally introduced in June by Councilors Ben Ewen-Campen and Ben Wheeler, follows a 2025 ballot question approved by 55.7% of voters. Mayor Jake Wilson's office stated the measure is final due to the veto-proof majority. During the vote, supporters from Somerville for Palestine cheered, while opponents from Shalom Somerville stood silently. The ordinance requires vendors to certify compliance, with exceptions for essential services deemed by the finance director.