Letter to the editor: Our tax dollars shouldn't fund war crimes

As a Jewish resident of Pittsburgh, I support the Not on Our Dime campaign to demand accountability in city policies and ensure our public resources reflect our shared values.

Not on Our Dime is gathering signatures for a referendum to align Pittsburgh finances with residents’ moral standards by divesting from entities complicit in genocide and apartheid (e.g., Israel), promoting ethical investing and increasing transparency, making the city’s values legally enforceable as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals.

Funding Israel remains unacceptable as its mass killing in Gaza nears 16 months, with Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International classifying its actions as genocide. The true death toll, including over 15,000 children, vastly exceeds the official count of 47,354. The Pew Research Center shows a majority of Americans believe Israel’s military operation has gone too far, with CBS polling revealing most Americans oppose sending more U.S. weapons to Israel. Since the ceasefire was agreed upon, Israel has killed over 100 Palestinians in Gaza and incited mass pogroms in the occupied West Bank.

As a proud Pittsburgh resident, I believe our city must ensure our tax dollars don’t fund war crimes but instead support peace and safety for all.

As a Jew, I believe each life is a universe. I know Jewish liberation is bound to the liberation of all oppressed peoples. “Never again” means never again for anyone. Genocide feeds on indifference, and I refuse to stay silent. That’s why I support the Not on Our Dime campaign.

Allie Levin

Squirrel Hill