Jewish activists should abandon myths, open up to constructive dialog
To the Daily:
I found Fadi Kiblawi's commentary piece in the New Student Edition, Activist Manifesto: Divest from Israeli Apartheid, most intriguing and informative. Americans, especially Jewish activists in America, have long been accused of turning a blind eye to the atrocities that go on in the occupied territories. By publishing this article on divestment from Israel, the Daily has shown exactly the opposite.
We indeed are in favor of constructive dialog between Palestinian Americans and Jewish Americans and we want to provide ample opportunities for the two people to talk and communicate. However, while I think we have done our best to provide a means by which to promote dialog, judging by the responses to Kiblawi's commentary (Kiblawi's viewpoint 'appalling.' 'revolting,' proves he is 'delusional;' Daily should 'consider publishing the truth' if it wants to be credible, 09/04/02) I can safely say that the opposition to the divestment article is not taking advantage of the platform provided for dialogue very well. I urge Jewish American students at the University who disagree with divestment to please abandon the myths of "total destruction of Israel" and similar commonly promoted nonsense and make genuine attempts to carry on a dialogue with their opponents (in this case pro-divestment groups).
Israel has illegally occupied a land and has been brutalizing its people. Continuation of this situation is indecent and against all laws of nations and nature. No one is speaking of demolishing Israel. Everyone is however alarmed at the prospects of unresolved issues between Palestinians and Israelis. By dragging our feet and holding tight to myths about Palestinians and "threats to existence of Israel" we only prolong agonizing conditions for Palestinians and Israelis. Not to mention the possibility that we push our planet closer to an outright war between the Western powers and Eastern masses.
Mozhgan Savabieasfahani
The letter writer is a Research Fellow in
Environmental Health Sciences