HSI had Humanitarian, Political Message

To the editors:

The Crimson's coverage of the Harvard Students for Israel (HSI) and Society of Arab Students (SAS) events staged in Harvard Yard ("Jewish and Arab Student Groups Stage Rallies," Oct. 24) missed an important distinction between the two rallies. The HSI rally made two claims: one humanitarian and one political. The humanitarian claim was that we mourn the loss of all life in the Middle East--Israeli and Palestinian--and hope and pray for a just and lasting peace in the region. We also condemned mob violence by all people and called for the release of Israeli hostages taken by Hezbollah. On these issues, I think that the two groups pretty much agree. HSI certainly hopes this is true and our president, Jonathan M. Gribetz '02, welcomed the presence of the SAS silent counter-protest from the podium because we believed that all people in the Yard could agree to the humanitarian message that was being presented.

The two groups, however, disagree on the political message of our rally. No one disputes that more Arabs have died than Israelis in this recent conflict. The disagreement, however, is who is responsible for these deaths. HSI urges Americans to stand in solidarity with Israel because we believe that while Israel has made unprecedented efforts to create peace with its Arab neighbors, Chairman Yasser Arafat and his supporters have now responded with rhetoric and violence. In this situation, Israel has had no choice but to defend itself from these violent attacks. We too mourn the fact that youths have died in this bloody battle, but as the highly-respected Rep. Barney Frank '61 asserted at the rally, "It is wholly irresponsible to tell young people to destroy a nation--Israel--and then be surprised when their lives are taken." We are terrified by the loss of life at such a young age, but feel that if these Palestinians, whether of their own volition or at the urging of others, are out on the streets as a part of the attack on Israel, then Israel cannot be blamed for the loss of their lives as it defends its people. As the Israel Consul General exclaimed, "Keep the children away. They must be the seeds of peace, not the sacrifices of war."

On this political matter we recognize the fact that there are those on this campus who disagree with out statement. To maintain cordial relationships, HSI is actively seeking dialogue with SAS and other groups on campus and has proposed to hold a non-political, joint silent vigil together in the near future. At the same time, however, we feel that we have the right and imperative to present our understanding of the situation in a dignified manner and thank those who joined us at the rally--Jews and non-Jews alike--for allowing us to present our position within the ongoing campus dialogue.

Myles S. Brody '01

Oct. 26, 2000

The author is the vice president of Harvard Students for Israel.

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Rally Ignored the Humanity of Victims

To the editors:

Attending the "Rally for Israel" in Tercentary Theatre was among the most disappointing and depressing experiences I can remember. I have always hoped, believed and insisted that the Muslim and Jewish peoples would be able to coexist peacefully and harmoniously. We share a great deal of history and believe in many of the same prophets. In both Arabic and Hebrew, we greet each other with a phrase that means "Peace be upon you." And it is because we have so much in common that the partisan, accusatory and inflammatory nature of the rally was so disturbing.

To have a U.S. Rep. [Barney Frank '61] publicly declare that the mothers and fathers are responsible for their sons and daughters--some as young as 18 months old--being shot at by Israeli soldiers is an insult to our common humanity. Every one of us who has been loved and raised by our parents, and every parent who has sacrificed for the sake of his or her children should be outraged. To lay exclusive blame on the Palestinians for the current violence, after the United Nations, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, among others, have condemned Israel for the use of "excessive force" strains credulity.

The most disturbing statements centered around the myth that Israel has offered the Palestinians peace. This can only be considered true if you accept a demand for total capitulation as a legitimate peace offer. That "the most generous offer Israel has ever made" calls for Israeli military control over one of Islam's three holiest sites (the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem), the perpetuation of a system of apartheid where Palestinians and Arabs can aspire to be no more than second-class citizenship and the continued defiance of numerous U.N. resolutions says more about Israel's problematic commitment to peace than it does about the Palestinians.

I still very strongly believe that peace is both possible and necessary. A peace without justice in today's Middle East will have as much chance of success and perpetuity as did Chamberlain's "peace for our time."

Zayed M. Yasin '02

Oct. 26, 2000

The author is the president of Harvard Islamic Society.