Thank you for that insightful comment Asma! Of cou...

2008-04-15T08:38:00.000-07:00

Thank you for that insightful comment Asma! Of course, as long as I live I will always support Israel being that it's more of a home to me than almost anywhere else in the world.

I also firmly believe in any groups right to freedom of speech, in fact I greatly encourage people to exercise this right whenever they feel it to be necessary.

While at UCLA, I did find Palestinian Awareness Week rather offensive from the signs outside to some of the speakers brought.... I think my main problem with it was that I felt much of the ideas being conveyed were aimed at proving a point instead of trying to foment understanding. I think much more could have been accomplished, because I felt that Palestinian Awareness Week (even for highly pro-Palestinian Jews such as myself who are very critical of Israel), truly marginalized people who had any connection whatsoever to Israel.

I'm not sure if my article conveyed this, but a big part what I was trying to say was to encourage, not ignore, the study of the Palestian's version of history (because Lord knows we all have our own version).

Either way, glad to see some strong opinions being generated by the article :)

Great article, but I wanted to point out some thin...

2008-04-11T18:40:00.000-07:00

Great article, but I wanted to point out some things:

Since you admit from the get-go that you have a bias view towards Israel, it's not easy to ignore the fact that everything you write about afterwards is biased as well.

I took part in several Muslim Student Association (MSA) events at UCLA and I regret absolutely none, including protesting Israel Independence day. My views about having open dialog and constantly seeking for the truth despite what we've been taught and the environment we've been raised in, only encouraged me to take part in those activities at UCLA.

Your opinion on Palestine Awareness week is completely a gross, disproportionate and blatant generalization. No, Palestine Awareness week is not "breed Israeli hatred" week. It is more like "know the facts, then opine" week. I never encountered anyone during such programs breeding "hate," but simply informing the public of the much-ignored facts that directly impact the current situation in Palestine.

Perhaps there are people out there who are "breeding" Israeli hatred, killing right and left. But don't forget the numerous others who are breeding Palestinian hatred not only through words, but also by actions through house demolitions, murders, and a downright refusal of basic rights of life.

And as regards to protesting Israel Independence Day, I must say that the MSA has always conducted non-violent protests. After all, is it illegal to speak out against something, let alone a thing that was founded on robbing a people of their land? Thank God for freedom of speech.

This also reminds me of the protest I went to on Wednesday in San Francisco. I'm sure everyone was aware that the torch was passing through SF that day and there were thousdands there to protest the failed promises China had pledged to--especially those concerning Human Rights. My point is that the protesters found a big event to voice their opinion through--an occasion they were likely to get more media/public attention than anywhere else. And, that is precisely what the MSA does on Israel Idependence Day--protests, protests, protests! And why? Simply look at the history of Israel (of course, from an impartial source) and you'll know why.

History has many facets, and especially where Palestine is concerned. Let us not ignore the Palestinian version of their own history over others.

Comments on The New Era Blog: Politics ON the College CampusGilad Chudler

Thank you for that insightful comment Asma! Of cou...

Great article, but I wanted to point out some thin...