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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri>On November 1st, Students for Justice in Palestine hosted a courageous young Israeli woman at Noyes Lab who has refused to serve in the Israeli occupying army. It was reported at the conclusion of the event that SJP received threats that attempted to undermine the event. I would hope that these threats would be specified, publicized by the DI, investigated by University Police, and addressed by University administration.</FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri>The event was well-attended, including a couple of dozen Zionist students. Their questions were straight out of what is called the "hasbara" (Zionist propaganda) playbook. These students asserted that Palestinian hatred for Israel is so stubborn that nothing that Israel does could possibly do would do anything but endanger the safety of Israelis. These assertions were competently addressed by the speakers, including a Palestinian student who spoke during the question period. The Israeli speaker correctly asserted that the Israeli government is the worst terrorist in the Middle East; but actually, it would be more correct to say that the U.S. government is the worst terrorist in the region.</FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri>For the record, it's important to note that students who support and rationalize Israeli atrocities are no different than German youth in the 1930s who supported the Nazi Party. Yes, they are young. Yes, they are brainwashed. But given the information available, these are not valid excuses. These ugly and hateful students show us that in 2010, on the "diverse" UI campus, it is still acceptable to support perpetrators and blame victims, however obvious that distinction is, with all of the racism that that such willful ignorance implies. </FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Calibri>This occurs partly because University administration tacitly equivocates between social justice and political evil on issues of war and peace in the Middle East. At that level, we all ought to be ashamed of ourselves.</FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>David Green</FONT></o:p></P></DIV></DIV></div><br>
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