Student Protester: I admire your empathy for Gazans, your concern for the world, and your moral ambition to make change.
But I'm curious about how peaceful protests can lead to the occupation of buildings, endangering graduation ceremonies, and what can be seen as unwarranted tolerance of anti-Semitism, disorder, vandalism, and extremism. I'm worried about what you're doing. I am concerned that more aggressive behavior is hurting the Gazans you are trying to help.
My thinking was shaped by the Vietnam War protests of the 1960s. The students who protested at the time were right. The war could not be won and was fought in a reckless and immoral manner.
But those students did not shorten that terrible war. In fact, it probably extended it. Left-wing activists in 1968 failed to achieve their goal of electing the peace candidate Gene McCarthy. Instead, the chaos and more violent protests helped elect President Richard Nixon, who vowed to restore order, and then prolonged the war, extending it to Cambodia.
I think this history is still worth remembering. Good intentions alone are not enough. Empathy alone is not enough. I think we can all agree that it's the results that matter. So the question I want you to ask yourself is that your encampments and sacrifices (more than 1,000 protesters have been arrested so far, and an unknown number suspended or expelled) are actually happening in Gaza. It's about whether you're helping people.
Since last fall, I have strongly criticized Israel's actions in Gaza and President Biden's support for unconditional war. So, while my heart is with the cause, the unrest on campus seems to be distracting from the crisis in Gaza rather than calling attention to it.
After all, what are we talking about now? There is no famine in Gaza. This is not a potential invasion of Rafah, which the United Nations humanitarian chief said this week would be an “unspeakable tragedy.”
Instead, we're discussing a Columbia University student leader who said in January that “Zionists don't deserve to live.” He was an extraordinary man who deeply discredited his cause, although he later apologized. I'm concerned that the fervor within the echo chamber of protesters will cause activists to make such horrible statements and excuses that will alienate people.
Thoughts: Humility is an essential tool for persuasion (I don’t always get it right!). The challenge is to take an unflinching moral stand while recognizing that you may ultimately be proven wrong. Maintaining that contradiction will suppress self-righteous tendencies and the urge to criticize others. Neither of them has ever convinced anyone at all.
While many students, with passion and humility, are peacefully calling attention to the injustices in the Gaza Strip, unnecessary violence by police is also unacceptable and calls for a resolution to this campus crisis. I think that makes it difficult.
still. According to the Yale Daily News, protesters set up tents at Yale University and cordoned off a “liberated zone” in public space, at one point allowing people only to enter if they were committed to “the liberation of Palestine” and related principles. is said to have been permitted. I find it ironic that one of its principles was zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind.
Let's also acknowledge that Hamas is a misogynistic, homophobic, anti-Semitic terrorist organization that is currently holding Americans and Israelis hostage. Hamas is a disaster for Gazans and I don't understand why anyone who supports Palestinians would condone Hamas and violence.
who destroyed Texas Republican Rep. John Carter's district office spilled fake blood and painted a “Free Gaza” picture. It certainly didn't help the people of Gaza and probably weakened support for them, but I was still shocked by the number of online commentators who sympathized with the vandalism. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is probably thrilled that such people exist.
Protesters are demanding the sale and severing ties with Israel. However, severing ties with Israel will not be of any use to the Gazans, and on the contrary, it would be beneficial for universities to have exchanges with a wide range of institutions, including those with which they disagree.
Meanwhile, asset sales will not hurt Prime Minister Netanyahu or help Gazans, but they could reduce the return on donations. So would students prefer higher tuition fees to compensate for this, or would they prefer less student aid for marginalized students? If the financial instruments were sold, would the university also have to sell all U.S. government bonds since the U.S. government is sending aid to Israel?
I don't mean to sound as sour as this probably is. Please protest!
Protests themselves are a good thing. Students can write letters to the editor, circulate petitions, hold peaceful assemblies, call their legislators (or flood the comments section of this column) can!). I support increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza, halting offensive weapons transfers until Israel complies with humanitarian law, and calling for a significant push toward Palestinian statehood.
In closing, I would like to offer two concrete suggestions for how we can meaningfully support the Palestinian people without occupying campuses, getting expelled from universities, or risking prolonging the war. think.
Start by raising money for organizations actively supporting Gazans, such as Save the Children, Gisha, and the International Rescue Committee. It may seem discouragingly modest, but it will help real people who are in desperate need of help.
Second, and this may sound crazy, why not raise money this summer to send as many student leaders as possible to live in the West Bank and learn from the Palestinians there? (interacting with Israelis along the way). Observers in the West Bank said Israel's recent crackdown on foreigners helping Palestinians, including denials of entry and deportations, has made this more difficult, but not impossible.
Student visitors must be cautious and cautious, but can study Arabic, teach English, or volunteer with local human rights organizations. Some Palestinians in the West Bank are under siege, regularly attacked by settlers, and in need of monitors and defenders.
Students who return at the end of the summer will have a deeper understanding of the problem and how to help. It will be life-changing and an education as rich as anything you get on campus.
There may also be activities that are not performative but actually help Palestinians live better and safer lives.
