The Israeli-Palestinian debate has taken its form in college student organizations such as the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). This group has a strong influence in many schools such as the University of California campuses, that attempt to maintain objectivity and the institution's values in its political standpoints, and usually don't lean one way or another. Educational institutions are also quick to control any situation of verbal harassment and simultaneously attempt to promote free speech. SJP should be given its right to advocate for the Palestinian people, but it looks more like this organization supports movements that attack the state of Israel and go against the foundation of free enterprise democracy, even in America. Considering the radical nature of the leaders and causes they implicitly support and the basic values their support goes against, should this group be banned as a hate group?
SJP's motives are in line with the movement to Boycott, Divest, and Sanction the state of Israel (BDS) in America, and asks schools like UCLA to divest from a large number of companies that contribute to Israel in any way. Additionally, SJP affiliates are vocally active in promoting "a ban of all Zionists" from various campuses like CUNY. Many Jewish students have reported they felt harassed and as if members of SJP were creating a hateful environment for Jews, consistently shouting racial slurs and hinting of another intifada, which refers to violent efforts against Israel.
And not only does the group clearly ask universities to take a very aggressive side on the issue, but it promotes violence and anti-democracy here in America. The group's founder, Hatem Bazian, in a rally against the Iraq war in San Francisco, indicated efforts need to become even more radical, and that "it's about time that we have an intifada in this country that changes fundamentally the political dynamics in here [America]." It is ok to disagree with actions taken by the Israeli government and advocate for the wellness of a people. But this is clearly taking a touchy issue and getting a free pass to discriminate and invoke fear.
Free speech is extremely important, especially to produce open young minds on campuses. But when a group contributes hate and promotes violence in schools in America, their membership as a student organization should be revoked.
This is a very interesting and important topic. I think rather than a question of if SJP should be banned as a hate group, this issue is a question of what universal policies can universities enforce to ensure all groups don't qualify as a 'hate group'. The views of SJP are entirely reasonable for a citizen of a free speech nation to posses and publicize. However, it is not reasonable to violate a students right to safety on his/her college campus. Any action taken by universities specifically towards SJP could be interpreted as politically biased. However, if colleges have a universal code under which all student groups are supposed to behave (e.g. no screaming slurrs at groups of students minding their own business), SJP and other political student groups will be able to exist and not immensely offend.
ReplyDeleteI think this topic is difficult to peg because both student groups are entitled to their feelings and reactions versus a very personal matter. Shutting one group up in order to protect the feelings of another group seems almost a little unfair to me. I can see when there is harm to students, but if students can't express their hurt regarding a situation because it makes others feel attacked or hurt, then we are not allowing students true free expression of self. As long as these students are not dominating public spaces to voice their opinions or are doing it in such a manner that other students are prohibited from expressing their hurts, concerns, and experiences, then it is okay. Sidenote: I transferred from a UC and the racial/ political action that takes place is much more rampant than those that take place at a private like USC because UC students protests, fight back, since somewhat of how the UC is handled by the government through state funding, voting efforts actually make an impact. It's exciting, but also frustrating because the global frustration is brought to one college campus, or area and is amplified.
ReplyDeleteI respect where you guys are trying to tackle the issue from and it could be very helpful to prevent hate on campuses. But first off, SJP vocally and legitimately inquires for a "ban on all Zionists" on UC college campuses. In this specific case, the safety threats and anti-semitic slurs that SJP students have been reported for throwing out against Jews numerous times call for some punishment, but might not yet justify banning them as a hate group alone. In my opinion, what does justify banning their affiliation with any school, is the combination of their harm to other students as well as the fact that their leader and founder, Hatem Bazian, literally tries to initiate an intifada (basically a violent revolution against the state) HERE IN AMERICA. This is SJP's founder. He can actually be quoted telling his followers efforts need to become "more radical" in America. If you look at the top news sources listed on SJP's website, they follow sites that simply bash Jews and Israel at every opportunity, calling them "settlers" and contributing to the worst of Jewish stereotypes. It's too much to go into in this comment but it's ridiculous. Like I said in the post, there can definitely be and I believe there are in fact groups that advocate for the good of the Palestinian people, and question the actions of the Israeli government, while completely leaving out anti-semitism and their predispositions towards Jews and Israel, and we should not "settle" for a group like SJP that doesn't even do a good job hiding it.
ReplyDeleteAs I am half Israeli, this topic is one of particular interest to me. I try to see all sides to disagreements, and too believe everyone should be given their right to free speech, including both sides to the Israeli-Palestinian troubles. However, I have also witnessed exactly what you are talking about in regards to groups similar to SJP who appear to focus on things like taking resources away from Israel in order to weaken them, rather than support their own cause and people, or promote a peaceful settlement. My cousin at the University of Michigan is apart of a support-Israel club, and was telling me last week about how people with the opposite view went up to the stands he and his club set up on campus, causing trouble and yelling offensive comments towards them. I am not saying that this is only the side other than mine that acts in extreme methods, I have simply only witnessed this side. Promoting violence or anti-democracy is unacceptable by any and all means, and when a group on college campus is doing such a thing, I absolutely agree with you that their membership as a student organization should be revoked.
ReplyDelete