Correction Appended
It would be great if, for once, a week dedicated to an awareness
of Palestinian people had something to discuss other than
Israel’s attempts to root out terrorists within the
Palestinian community.
Surely there are other issues, like how groups are working
intently on both sides to move the peace process forward, or how
art and culture continue to come from this region despite the
hardships of living under the shadow of Hamas or the Palestinian
Authority.
Instead, it seems the intended focus of this week will be, as it
has always been, an attempt to delegitimize the very existence of
Israel, while trying to downplay the terrorist cancer which has
penetrated the Palestinian communities.
The guests invited to campus this week include representatives
of the Palestine Right to Return Coalition, a radical group focused
on maintaining one of the greatest obstacles to a peace agreement
between Israel and the Palestinians.
Also, Professor Hatem Bazian will be joining the discussion,
coming down from Berkeley, where he is known for making
anti-Israeli remarks. These speakers and others will perpetuate an
ugly cycle of hate and lies.
I am currently a graduate student in Tel Aviv studying Arabic
and Middle Eastern history. I just got back from a visit to Egypt
last night.
Palestinian Awareness Week could draw attention to the hope that
still exists with those of us that believe in a two-state solution.
As I crossed the border into Egypt, I realized that bitter enemies
can one day set their guns aside.
As soon as terrorism stops holding the Palestinian and Israeli
communities hostage, as dreams of the destruction of Israel once
held Egypt hostage, both communities can find a happier, more
peaceful coexistence.
I hope the students at UCLA will be able to look beyond the
myopic view some will try to present to them this week. I hope they
can learn what it means to be a Palestinian, aside from just
opposing Israel.
From living in the Middle East, I have realized that there is a
great deal more to my Arab neighbors than that.
I hope instead that they will support the efforts of those
living and dying to make the Middle East a place free from terror
and tyranny ““ whether it be the U.S. soldiers or hostages in
Iraq. I hope they will support the countless victims of senseless
terrorist atrocities and those that survive them in Israel and the
many suffering Palestinians whose leadership refuses to let them
seek a peaceful future with their neighbors.
Lazar is a UC Berkeley alumnus. He now studies in Tel
Aviv.
Correction: Oren Lazar’s submission
incorrectly stated that UC Berkeley Professor Hatem Bazian would
speak on campus this week. He will not be speaking at UCLA.