On Wednesday, students from various organizations stood in
opposition to the Israeli Establishment Celebrations.
One speaker remarked that Israel is the only democracy in the
Middle East and stands as a model for others to follow, and that
the Israeli people would like to assume an active role in bringing
peace to the region.
It is ironic that peace can be derived from what the Human
Rights Watch Web site defines as systematic discrimination,
segregation and home demolitions.
Any group is entitled to hold a celebration, but false
advertisement is not very professional.
For instance, Hillel’s Web site states, “Israel has
turned its desert into fertile land.”
According to the Palestinian Centre for Human rights,
“Israeli occupying forces have stolen sands from the
agricultural land that was razed and transported them to Israel,
which may contribute to the desertification of the Gaza
Strip.”
Hillel is also celebrating “a constant flow of
immigrants” into Israel. Under Zionist principles Israel
welcomes these immigrants as a means to create a Jewish homeland,
rousing sentiments through Jewish diaspora.
A majority of the illegal settlements established throughout
Palestine are composed of immigrants. By supporting the
“constant flow of immigrants,” Hillel in turn supports
settlers. Supporting these illegal establishments means supporting
one of the many obstacles Israel has set up as a deterrent to
peace.
Yet Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller for Hillel said Israel brings
peace to the region.
There was not one incident during Wednesday’s events
incited by the Students for Justice in Palestine’s silent
activists, and I commend every single one of them. We didn’t
have to resort to lies or the advertisement of myths, which
constantly hinder any communication between the two groups.
Not only was the celebration offensive, but it can be considered
a mechanism for alienating Palestinians and their sympathizers on
campus.
Sarsour is the vice president of Students for Justice in
Palestine.