Regarding the article on January 6, titled “City Removes [Nakba] Day from Diversity and Inclusion Calendar,” I would like to share my thoughts. Firstly, the article cites an unsigned statement by the City of Concord that asserts, “The City of Concord does not support antisemitism or racism.” This statement is an unfortunate conflation of opposition to Israeli policy with antisemitism. It fails to acknowledge that a significant portion of American Jewry opposes certain Israeli policies while continuing to embrace their Jewish faith and identity.

Secondly, Concord’s decision to remove Nakba Day from the DEI calendar rather than revising its description to present a balanced perspective is unfortunate. The result? A missed opportunity to educate our community about the complexities of interpreting history, especially when it is well understood that implicit and explicit biases influence each side’s perspective on historical events.

Nakba Day commemorates the displacement of Palestinians during the Arab-Israeli War of 1948, a profound human tragedy for those who lost their land, homes, communities, and livelihoods, irrespective of the historical causes. At the same time, after centuries of antisemitism, pogroms and persecution culminating in the Holocaust, it is impossible to uncouple Israel’s existence from the long-held yearning of the Jewish people for a safe haven. It is also worth noting that Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day is not included in the city’s DEI calendar. Hence, recognizing both events would amplify the opportunity to educate and demonstrate a commitment to acknowledging all narratives and advancing the broader goal of fostering respect and empathy in our increasingly diverse community.

Scott Dickman

Concord