Gov. Gavin Newsom makes a point at the opening of the San Quentin Learning Center on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026.
JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS
jvillegas@sacbee.com
Newsom’s candor on Israel
“Newsom dares Democrats to catch up by calling Israel a ‘sort of apartheid’ | Opinion,” (fresnobee.com, March 6)
Gov. Gavin Newsom is receiving strong pushback for referring to Israel as an apartheid state.
Notably, in 2021, two former Israeli ambassadors to South Africa, Ilan Baruch and Alon Liel, concluded that Israel had indeed become an apartheid regime.
They cited the two-tiered legal system in the West Bank and the forcing of Palestinians to live on smaller and smaller tracts of land.
For these former ambassadors, this forced displacement is reminiscent of apartheid South Africa, in which large numbers of Black South Africans were forcibly relocated onto enclaves called homelands.
When even former Israeli diplomats acknowledge the crime of apartheid, it should be seen as neither extreme nor controversial for an American governor to say so. Governor Newsom’s candor deserves praise, not condemnation, and his words should prompt reflection on whether our nation’s silence serves justice or merely shields oppression.
Terry Hansen
Grafton, Wis.
Latino voters rethink Trump
“Latino voters in California and beyond have become a force in elections | Opinion,” (fresnobee.com, July 11)
Conservative Latinos are abandoning President Donald Trump’s conservative agenda and reshaping arguments over immigration, economy and education. This is spreading throughout Texas and Florida, where a less-aggressive, more pragmatic approach is recommended.
Across party lines and economic strata, conservative Latinos are increasingly running for office and participating in state, county and city debates over social issues, which are impacting platforms.
The perception of lawlessness amongst U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Republicans have flipped many neutral and conservative voters against Trump. Televised scenes of detention camps in the swamps of Florida and Texas and the forced deportation of individuals to El Salvador have had lethal impact upon the hearts and minds of formerly conservative Latino voters.
Jorge A. Martinez
Newman
Boycotts work
“From Bad Bunny to Amazon, boycotts mean nothing if nobody really cares | Opinion” (fresnobee.com, February 25)
There are plenty of Americans who care about DEI, ICE raids, loss of healthcare, the increased costs of living and now the cost of war in lives and spending. Why would any citizen give their business to a company that supports politicians or governmental demands that harm its people?
While I understand that the number of boycotts can be overwhelming, money talks. For example, in 2025, Target scaled back its DEI initiatives. A sustained boycott reduced foot traffic and sales. That caused a significant drop in stock values and the eventual resignation of the CEO, Brian Cornell. That is just one example.
We have the power to force change and boycotts are a formidable tool available to everyone.
Julia Garland
Folsom
Who is ICE protecting?
“Trump Scores Win Over California ICE Mask Ban,” (fresnobee.com, Feb. 20)
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement claims its officers need masks for their protection, but aren’t they supposed to be protecting us?
John Heinsius
Modesto
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