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 routine business and then moved to public comment on the standing agenda item for recent hate incidents. Multiple speakers urged restraint and dialogue rather than escalation when community members are offended. Serial public commenter Alan Hirsch urged a framework of de-escalation, saying, “Gandhi says peace is not the lack of conflict but how we hold the conflict,” and suggested the commission emphasize mediation and repair rather than immediate public shaming.

Several speakers identified themselves as Jewish community members and urged stricter action against what they described as antisemitic incidents. One speaker who said she is an attorney called for censure or other consequences for the person who made accusations about a commissioner at City Council, calling those remarks “hate speech” and saying the commission should take disciplinary steps. Another commenter, who identified herself as a member of Davis Jews for Justice, described meeting the author and defending the book as a firsthand, humanitarian recommendation.

Commissioner Dima Tamimi addressed the audience and repeatedly denied the antisemitism label being attached to her: “It is racist to say because I care about Palestinians that I am therefore anti Semitic,” she said, adding that her activism opposes killing of innocents and that she “has no love for terror.” Tamimi told the commission she stands by her recommendation of the book and asked critics who label people as antisemitic to point to specific evidence when making such charges.

Other public commenters described personal experiences of intimidation and fear, including parents and students who said they have observed increased harassment on school campuses. Speakers also raised concerns about the potential chilling effect when accusations are aired in public forums rather than pursued through private complaint channels.

Commission and staff response

Commissioners discussed next steps but made no formal disciplinary motion during the meeting. Several commissioners asked that interpersonal concerns be raised directly among commissioners first and then, if needed, taken to staff or the city council. City Council member Linda Diaz, serving as the council liaison, said she would relay commission concerns to the council and noted her availability to commissioners.

Multiple speakers and commissioners asked the commission to clarify procedures for responding to alleged hate incidents, strengthen guidance on civil behavior at public meetings, and improve outreach about reporting channels. Commissioners said they will continue work on related subcommittees (including work on reporting mechanisms and community education) and indicated an interest in coordinating with city communications staff and community groups to improve clarity and accessibility of complaint and support pathways.

Quotes

"It is racist to say because I care about Palestinians that I am therefore anti Semitic," Commissioner Dima Tamimi told the commission during public comments.

"Gandhi says peace is not the lack of conflict but how we hold the conflict," said public commenter Alan Hirsch as he urged de-escalation and dialogue.

"I would like to see the HRC actually censor the member who did this, at city council or suspend or whatever is possible," a public commenter said describing remarks made at the council meeting; that commenter identified himself as an attorney and called the council remarks “hate speech.”

What the meeting did not do

The commission did not hold a formal vote to discipline any member during the Feb. 27 meeting, nor did it adopt new complaint procedures at that session. Commissioners said they want to develop clearer, public-facing protocols and emphasized the difference between public comment (where any member of the public may speak) and formal complaint channels for alleged misconduct.

Looking ahead

Commissioners asked staff to share existing complaint and reporting pathways publicly and to consult with the city’s communications team before any web or reporting changes are posted. Multiple speakers asked the commission to consider creating clearer civility guidelines for public meetings and to coordinate with community organizations — including university and student groups — to reduce fear and increase participation. The commission scheduled follow-up committee work and indicated it would return to the issue at a future meeting.