Debate Over Israel Divestment Bill Continues

Berkeley’s ASUC president may have vetoed the senate’s divestment bill, but the struggle continues: “ASUC President Will Smelko vetoed a bill Wednesday-passed by a 16-4 vote in the senate a week before-that called for the ASUC and UC to divest from General Electric and United Technologies because the companies, according to the bill, provide Israel with the technology used to attack civilian populations in Lebanon, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. While some senators said they will seek to override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote, other senators are reconsidering their support for the bill. A possible senate vote to override the veto will likely not take place until on or after April 14. The bill had drawn national attention, spurring more than 2,000 e-mails to senators from proponents and opponents worldwide. Some senators said the additional input may lead them to vote against overriding the veto.”