Middle East vigil unfairly accused Israel
By: Rachel Silverman
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: Letters
Last update: 2/28/08 at 6:31 AM EST
Last update: 2/28/08 at 6:31 AM EST
Thursday, Feb. 21 the executive board of Duke Friends of Israel was invited to attend a vigil for peace in the Middle East. Having been under the understanding that this was meant as a call to end suffering on both sides, we were deeply disappointed when the event served as a platform to accuse Israel of genocide as well as by the overall one-sidedness of the event's focus.
Following the peaceful words of the co-president of the Muslim Student Association, the speaker, Laila El-Haddad was introduced. Her words were deeply troubling.
El-Haddad referred to Israeli actions in Gaza as "genocide." Though it is perfectly acceptable to be critical of Israeli policy, it is wholly inappropriate to casually throw around the term genocide to describe Israel's activities in Gaza. Genocide is defined as "the systematic killing of, or a program of action intended to destroy, a whole national or ethnic group" (Webster's New World College Dictionary). No matter what one thinks of the Israeli blockade, these actions in no way constitute the widespread ethnic violence of genocide. Israel's actions are directed at terrorists, not civilians. Individuals like El-Haddad should exercise more discretion before levying such an accusation.
Another major point of worry was the lack of concern displayed for the Israeli victims of Gazan rocket attacks. Though the event was billed as protesting the suffering of all people, El-Haddad seemed intent on only discussing the Gazan victims of the latest crisis with little reference to the terrorist attacks coming from Gaza or the Israelis who have suffered as a result. We feel that the road to peace is a two-way street that requires us to acknowledge the responsible actors on both sides of the issue. Peace is not served by one-sidedness or choosing a single actor to blame.
We do not wish this to be an attack against Gazan citizens nor members of the MSA. In fact, we welcome the opportunity for friendly and constructive dialogue. That, however, requires all parties to be careful about the accusations we levy and our attentiveness to all victims, regardless of nationality. We are disappointed that Thursday's vigil did not accomplish this.
Rachel Silverman
President, Duke Friends of Israel
Trinity '10
Following the peaceful words of the co-president of the Muslim Student Association, the speaker, Laila El-Haddad was introduced. Her words were deeply troubling.
El-Haddad referred to Israeli actions in Gaza as "genocide." Though it is perfectly acceptable to be critical of Israeli policy, it is wholly inappropriate to casually throw around the term genocide to describe Israel's activities in Gaza. Genocide is defined as "the systematic killing of, or a program of action intended to destroy, a whole national or ethnic group" (Webster's New World College Dictionary). No matter what one thinks of the Israeli blockade, these actions in no way constitute the widespread ethnic violence of genocide. Israel's actions are directed at terrorists, not civilians. Individuals like El-Haddad should exercise more discretion before levying such an accusation.
Another major point of worry was the lack of concern displayed for the Israeli victims of Gazan rocket attacks. Though the event was billed as protesting the suffering of all people, El-Haddad seemed intent on only discussing the Gazan victims of the latest crisis with little reference to the terrorist attacks coming from Gaza or the Israelis who have suffered as a result. We feel that the road to peace is a two-way street that requires us to acknowledge the responsible actors on both sides of the issue. Peace is not served by one-sidedness or choosing a single actor to blame.
We do not wish this to be an attack against Gazan citizens nor members of the MSA. In fact, we welcome the opportunity for friendly and constructive dialogue. That, however, requires all parties to be careful about the accusations we levy and our attentiveness to all victims, regardless of nationality. We are disappointed that Thursday's vigil did not accomplish this.
Rachel Silverman
President, Duke Friends of Israel
Trinity '10
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Terrorist
posted 2/28/08 @ 9:17 AM EST
Terrorists are civilians.
"Fingers" Gherkin
posted 2/28/08 @ 1:59 PM EST
Duke, other top tier educational institutions, feminists, women's programs and other extremists need to reconsider their tacit or explicit alliances with pro-Arab terrorism. (Continued…)
Crazy
posted 2/28/08 @ 9:08 PM EST
The complaint I see here is that it was not Politically Correct enough for you.
(rolls eyes)
Way to focus on the negative.
Frankly, what the hell did you expect. (Continued…)
abyrdmanEE95
posted 2/28/08 @ 9:17 PM EST
Ahhh. I see you have been acquainted with the Muslim concept of taqqyia (spelled wrong I'm sure). This concept says it is permissible or laudable to lie to non-Muslims for the faith. (Continued…)
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