[Peace-discuss] Letters in DI

[David Green]

It's just perfect that my letter and Schwitzer's letter were printed together today. It reveals Hillel's hypocrisy. I doubt that his characterization of what happened at Allen Hall is accurate, and of course I disapprove if it is. From what I understand, Gross was given the mic for 5 minutes. At any rate, I doubt that he experienced the intense hatred that I did, and he received criticism from fellow students, not from professors and other alleged adults. By the way, I found out later that Fred Gottheil shouted at me "We'll bomb you just like we bomb Hamas."
  I can't wait to see Schwitzer's response.
  On Monday I will give a short talk prior to a showing of a film at the Nakba, Mumford Hall 103, 7 p.m.
  DG 
  Campus needs civil dialogue
  Posted: 4/10/08
  Last week, Allen Hall hosted the Cafe Intifada program, which was billed as a free-speech, open-mic event. After listening respectfully, Jeffrey Gross was singled out as a Jew and marginalized by having his microphone cut off when he tried to speak. He later described being driven from the room. 

The events of that evening left him feeling unsafe on this campus and deprived of freedom of speech at a campus event that ironically was supposed to have been a forum to engage differing viewpoints. I haven't heard anything denying that this happened; however, there have been numerous attempts to justify it. 

Clearly there are different viewpoints on issues connected with the Israel-Palestinian conflict. But when reasoned discussion and exploration of these issues spills over into words and actions that sacrifice the ability of students to feel safe within our campus community, then truly we have crossed a line which I firmly believe is destructive for all of us. 

Next week, our campus will experience both Israel Week and Palestine Awareness Week. It will be important for anyone attending these events to be ready to listen to whatever is said with respect for the speakers. Meanwhile, all of us who do speak need to be mindful of the effects of our words and actions. The narratives that frame the perspectives on these issues are meaningful to a great many people on our campus. What we all must agree on is that no one should be made to feel unsafe because of their religion, race or political opinions.

In the coming weeks, may civility prevail over incitement. 

Joel Schwitzer

Executive Director

UIUC Hillel

Editor's note: Gross is an Illini Media Company employee.  
  _______________________________________________ 
  Bad experience at local event
  Posted: 4/10/08
  On April 1, David Makovsky, a Zionist think-tanker, gave a half-hour public talk at Campus Hillel, which consisted of twisted invective against Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims, and self-promoting insider politics. He then entertained four non-controversial questions, responding to each with a rambling 10-minute answer. He decided to end after an hour and fifteen minutes of what had been announced as a two-hour event. There was no moderator to promote fair audience participation or civil discourse.

At that point, I interjected an alternative perspective regarding Palestinian resistance to Israeli occupation. My comments were substantive and not personal. 

I was immediately shouted down, told to shut up and told to leave by several members of the local Zionist element, including professors Fred Gottheil and Ehud Yairi. 

A physical altercation subsequent to this event, not initiated by me, led to a visit to my house later that evening from a police officer, telling me that I was henceforth banned from Hillel.

I was not aware that Hillel is a private residence owned by the Zionist element whose right is to determine who can speak and who must leave. I was not aware that Jewish perspectives are limited to those that support Zionist militarism, racism, occupation and apartheid. I am, however, aware that local institutional Jewish leadership of all types has facilitated an atmosphere of arrogance and condescension in response to opponents of Zionist bigotry. 

They are ultimately responsible for the repressive and intimidating atmosphere that pervades and corrupts the local Jewish community.

David Green

Academic Professional 
   

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