The Oregonian/OregonLive article on college divestment failed to include key context on calls to disinvest from companies that are supporting Israeli violations of Palestinian rights, (“Students in Oregon and across U.S. call for divestment. It’s not so simple,” May 8). It silences protesters’ voices.

The article brings up vandalism in the Portland State University library, ignoring days of peaceful outdoor tent encampment and protests. Some witnesses at PSU believe independent anarchists, rather than students, were at least partly responsible for vandalism in the library. Meanwhile, Israel has destroyed most Gazan infrastructure, including its universities, and killed almost 100 faculty members and administrators.

College investments may be a small portion of national investing, but this ignores disinvestment’s symbolic importance. College students often take the lead in protesting disasters like the U.S. invasion of Iraq, climate change and neoliberal policies that shattered American industry. The Oregonian/OregonLive article only quotes people who downplay disinvestment. But supportive voices are abundant at PSU, where many groups co-signed a detailed statement explaining why PSU and other universities should cut ties with Boeing.

Yes, dealing with index funds is tricky, because individual investments are hidden in large packages. But this may be why universities turned to index funds following successful 1980s campaigns to get universities to divest from apartheid South Africa.

The article also refers to rising antisemitism on campuses without any specific examples. There is no doubt antisemitism has occurred, but we have to drill deeper so we can separate true antisemitism from criticism of Israeli policies.

Marc Rose, Portland

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