Davis Human Relations Commission meeting centers on public dispute over book and accusations of antisemitism

The Davis Human Relations Commission on Feb. 27 heard more than an hour of public comment and commissioner discussion about recent local disputes over a book recommendation and allegations that a commissioner’s social-media likes and a book she recommended were evidence of support for terrorism. The meeting did not produce a formal disciplinary action; commissioners and dozens of speakers urged better procedures for airing grievances and called for civility while sharply disagreeing about whether comments at a recent City Council meeting crossed a line.

The issue dominated the commission’s public-forum item on “recent hate incidents” after several residents used their allotted time to defend or criticize comments made about Dima Tamimi, a Palestinian American member of the commission, and about the book They Called Me a Lioness by Ahed Tamimi. Supporters described the book as an account of life under occupation and defended Tamimi against public accusations; others said the exchange at City Council constituted harassment and should carry consequences.

Why it matters: commissioners said the dispute risks undermining trust in the commission and in local government and may chill community participation. Speakers on both sides said they want the city’s human-relations apparatus to protect vulnerable residents while preserving free expression and transparent procedures for handling complaints.

What happened

Commissioners opened the meeting with…