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Poll results

In a unanimous resolution opposing the war in Gaza, the Portland City Council last week said the city will divest funds from many companies doing business in Israel.

The resolution directs the city manager to eliminate any current holdings — and forego future investment — in "all entities complicit in the current and ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and occupation of Palestine.”

The resolution refers to a “divestment list” with dozens of corporations. They include technology companies, financial institutions, manufacturers and defense contractors such as General Dynamics, the parent company of Bath Iron Works.

Portland currently does not hold investments in any companies on the list, but has in the past, the city's finance director told the council.

The council's action has drawn massive outpourings of both criticism and support. They reflect the sharp divide in public opinion about Israel's invasion of Gaza — which has killed more than 40,000 people, and was sparked by the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack in which Hamas fighters killed 1,200 people in Israel and took some 250 hostages.

Some members of the business community also have responded to the Portland City Council's action.

Quincy Hentzel, CEO of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, criticized the council for its "choice to pursue a path that fosters division rather than unity."

In a written statement, she said, "Rather than focusing on pressing local issues, the Council chose to engage in a matter that has little bearing on municipal governance and, worse, risks deepening divides within our community. This proclamation does nothing to address the immediate challenges that Portland faces."

Do you support Portland's decision to divest funds from businesses in Israel, because of the Gaza War?
Yes (58%, 7727 VOTES)
No (42%, 5661 VOTES)
Undecided (0%, 21 VOTES)
Poll Description

In a unanimous resolution opposing the war in Gaza, the Portland City Council last week said the city will divest funds from many companies doing business in Israel.

The resolution directs the city manager to eliminate any current holdings — and forego future investment — in "all entities complicit in the current and ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and occupation of Palestine.”

The resolution refers to a “divestment list” with dozens of corporations. They include technology companies, financial institutions, manufacturers and defense contractors such as General Dynamics, the parent company of Bath Iron Works.

Portland currently does not hold investments in any companies on the list, but has in the past, the city's finance director told the council.

The council's action has drawn massive outpourings of both criticism and support. They reflect the sharp divide in public opinion about Israel's invasion of Gaza — which has killed more than 40,000 people, and was sparked by the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack in which Hamas fighters killed 1,200 people in Israel and took some 250 hostages.

Some members of the business community also have responded to the Portland City Council's action.

Quincy Hentzel, CEO of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, criticized the council for its "choice to pursue a path that fosters division rather than unity."

In a written statement, she said, "Rather than focusing on pressing local issues, the Council chose to engage in a matter that has little bearing on municipal governance and, worse, risks deepening divides within our community. This proclamation does nothing to address the immediate challenges that Portland faces."

  • 13409 Votes
  • 27 Comments
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27 Comments

  • September 10, 2024

    All the folks on here saying Israel should “finish the job” or justifying the level of brutality that Israel is using on a population that’s 50% children sound equally as violent and vengeful as Israel. Perhaps they’ve forgotten that there are rules of war, and collective population is illegal. Or perhaps they don’t realize that Israel is in violation of multiple existing US laws like the Leahy Law and Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, not to mention thousands of counts of international law. Continuing to supply weapons to Israel is literally illegal, not to mention a complete betrayal of the rules based order that was established after WWII.

    STOP MAKING PALESTINIANS PAY FOR A EUROPEAN HOLOCAUST.

  • September 10, 2024

    BDS is Anti Semitism. Vote against BDS!

  • September 10, 2024

    This poll clearly has outside influencers taking it. There’s absolutely no way all of these responses came from Maine people. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to take the poll multiple times. I heard that was happening and I tested it. You should throw this poll out.

  • September 10, 2024

    I am outraged by this resolution. If you want to stop the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, it’s very simple. Let the hostages go.

    All council members who support this resolution should be voted out of office.

  • September 9, 2024

    Globalize civilization not pre-civilization.