Posted on 06/28/2002 7:06:53 AM PDT by SJackson
Hatred of Jews in Israel is alive and well on American college campuses. I saw it with my own eyes. On May 7 I spoke at the "We Stand With Israel" rally held at Malcolm X Plaza at San Francisco State University.
The facts about that rally and the events surrounding it have been described by virtually every Jewish newspaper in the world. In the local mass-circulation press, the San Francisco Examiner headline read, "Jews blast State hate Poster is just latest example, students say" ((May 17).
On April 8 a rally was co-sponsored in Malcolm X Plaza by the Associated Students, the Muslim Student Association, the Women's Islamic Association and the General Union of Palestinian Students. The poster/flyer promoting the rally had the picture of a child with caption "Slaughtered according to Jewish rites under American license." University president Robert A. Corrigan responded to the flyer: "I write in disappointment and dismay after seeing the flyer promoting the April 8 campus rally... The flyer contains a particularly repellent example of anti-Semitism.... This is no political statement. It is hate speech in words and image."
A counter rally on May 7 was organized by SFSU pro-Israel students with the help of the director of San Francisco Hillel Seth Brysk.
The rally was sponsored by the Associated Students, Hillel and the Israel Coalition. The flyer promoting the rally stated four objectives: Join in solidarity with the people of Israel Condemn terrorist acts by Palestinian extremists Speak out against growing anti-Semitism on campus and Support peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
Throughout the rally those opposed to these four objectives chanted and attempted to interrupt the proceedings. When I reminded the crowd of John Lennon's classic refrain, "All we are saying is give peace a chance," the anti-Israel forces responded "No peace! No peace!" Signs were carried that read "Zionism = racism" and "Jews = Nazis."
One counterdemonstrator yelled "Hitler did not finish the job" and "Get out or we will kill you." A flyer distributed at the rally entitled "Zionism is Racism" read in part "The time has come for S.F. State students, and for students in general to band together and build a united front opposing the Zionist and the Zionist controlled administration." The flyer also accused the Zionists of "active collaboration with the Nazi leaders themselves." Attacking Zionism, the flyer states, "so far these measures have entailed the wholesale genocide of the indigenous population of Palestinian Muslims, and the destabilization of other Middle Eastern countries."
This flyer was produced by the Pan African Students Union at SFSU "in respect to the millions of people affected by the evils of Zionism." Dr. Laurie Zoloth, director of the Jewish Studies Program, wrote eloquently about the fact that "the hatred coalesced in a hate mob." She quoted one student as saying, "I have read about anti-Semitism in books, but this is the first time I have seen real anti-Semites, people who just hate me without knowing me, just because I am a Jew."
As I left the rally I passed a "peace table." I greeted the woman seated at the table. I extended my hand. Her response was, "I don't shake hands with Zionists." She turned away.
WHAT IS the real long-term lesson to be learned from the events at SFSU?
The anti-Israel demonstrators all live in the United States, where many of them were born and grew up. Most of them are students at SFSU, a truly outstanding university. Despite all of that, these students are still carriers of bigotry and hate. The irrational look in their eyes and the sentiments of hate that passed from their lips and literature were clear and uncompromising. No rational argument, no facts, no clear statement in favor of peace would serve to change the expressions of those committed to the destruction of Israel.
What happened at SFSU is not unique. We can expect more demonstrations and protests like these when students return to campuses across America in the fall. What must we do to respond?
We must recognize that the anti-Israel forces are vocal and effective in presenting their case.
While it may be true, as some argue, that they are small in number and are completely out of step with the student mainstream, their voices are loud and they are heard. It is also sadly true that if you repeat a lie often enough it may soon be believed.
Our goal must be to marginalize these well-organized groups by exposing their shocking public rhetoric and isolating them through that exposure. We must reach out to the overwhelming majority of students with the positive message that Israel represents. We must point out that the enemies of Israel are the enemies of the US.
Students on campus must build coalitions with faculty, administration, student government leaders and campus groups across the political spectrum.
Jewish communities must give Jewish student groups, Hillel and Israel Action Committees across the country the tools to do battle on campus. Speakers, printed materials, teach-ins and campus organizing conferences must be provided. Necessary funding must be a priority of Jewish communities and organizations throughout the United States. Leadership-training seminars in Israel for campus activists provide a vital link in preparing students to respond effectively.
The time has come to be pro-active. We need to make the case for Israel to the entire campus community. We need to reach out to campus newspapers, radio and TV stations, and the latest technology must be used in our efforts.
This is a battle that we cannot afford to lose. Jewish students on the campus must have our support. The general campus community cannot be left to a well-organized cadre of bigots, hate mongers and their hate speech.
The message of SFSU is that we had better get our act together without delay.
The writer is a talk-show host on the ABC-affiliated KGO Newstalk 810 AM in San Francisco. He has been involved in pro Israel campus activism for 35 years.
On the other hand, S.F. State has about 25,000 + students, many of whom attend part-time. Tuition is inexpensive and even foreign students (illegals) may qualify as 'resident students' after providing some form of 'proof' that they have lived in Calfornia for the required time.
The campus has always been hot bed of revolutionary activities. Frankly, I cannot imagine what it might be like to be on campus today .... With Rainbow coalition groupies, gays and lesbians, blacks from the inner city, Chinese just off the boat learning basic English, Islamics from over 30 countries, and illegals from Mexico, South and Central America, Russians, Serbs, Croats, Chinese, Koreans, and students from over 50 nations, including many Honor Students studying engineering, computer science and pre-med ....
It must sound a bit bazaar while walking on campus while on the lookout for muggers, rapists and drug dealers.
(Yes the Nazis were socialist which makes them closer to democrats than anything else)
God Save America (Please)
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