[Peace-discuss] Letter submitted to DI

[David Green]

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.
 
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.
 
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. 

 
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.
 
David Green


      
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