Proposition W Loses In San Francisco

By Abram V. Martin

Proposition W on the San Francisco ballot called for "US recognition of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and statehood in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza side by side with the state of Israel, with guarantees for the security of both states."

On the morning of November 9, the vote stood at about 63,000 in favor; 134,000 opposed; and about 50,000 absentee votes still to be counted.

Several public opinion polls have found that at least 60 percent of Americans who have opinions on the question favor an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza. Nevertheless, the politicians of San Francisco were all but unanimous in their opposition to Proposition W.

At least 60 percent of Americans who have opinions on the question favor an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza.

The exception was Simeon White, a member of the Central Committee of the San Francisco Democratic Party. When a roll call of the committee's 24 members was taken on a motion to support the "No on W" campaign, White was almost the last person called and until then every member had voted against Proposition W. "I'm black," White told his fellow committee members. "I know what oppression is, and I don't like it. The Palestinians are being oppressed. I will vote yes on W."

A heavily funded campaign was waged against Proposition W.

Among those who signed a full-page advertisement in the western edition of the New York Times in support of the proposition were former Congressmen Paul N. (Pete) McCloskey and Paul Findley, and former Undersecretary of State George Ball. The advertisement, titled "End Political Intimidation In America," provided information about the American Israel Political Action Committee (AIPAC) and included a statement which George Ball had made on an expose of AIPAC activities on the CBS program "60 Minutes" a week earlier: "Practically every congressman and senator says his prayers to the AIPAC lobby. They've done an enormous job of corrupting the American democratic process."

Abram V. Martin is a free-lance writer based in San Francisco.