Open up dialogue
by Marian pinsky
What is the objective of the university? It is to provide a space for the enlightened exchange of ideas, in which complex issues can be debated in an informed manner, a forum where a diversity of perspectives are granted space, where no single personal or political agenda stifles others.
Israeli Apartheid Week, a week dedicated more to singling out and delegitimizing Israel rather than seeking to tangibly ameliorate the situation, is the antithesis of what should take place in an institution of higher learning. With such a complex, politicized and emotionally-laden issue, it’s crucial that a multitude of perspectives be granted space, without labelling such efforts as “apologism” or “censorship.”
Appropriating and decontextualizing the spectre of apartheid and aligning it with Israel in the title frames the debate in a way which effectively closes any endeavours for discussion. Leaving little room for dissent or debate, this imposes ideas onto students, many of whom are far removed from the complexities of the conflict.
Israel, like all other countries, has not had a perfect track record. However, it should be granted the dignity of being evaluated on the same, as opposed to utopian, standards as others. Emphasizing technological and medical contributions, including the Save a Child’s Heart foundation—which provides cardiac care to Israelis and Palestinians alike—is a more tangible way of addressing the Palestinian situation than the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign. There is no mention of social justice or peace in the BDS, and rather than ameliorate the issues, it seeks to pressure Israel into making concessions, ignoring the fact that a boycott would equally harm the many Palestinians employed in Israel.
One of the most disturbing problems about IAW could be seen in last year’s Gender Advocacy event at Concordia. In response to a question directed at one of the 2005 IAW founders, the speaker retorted, “I don’t have to answer your question; we’re not in an interrogation!” In what way is this opening up dialogue?
If the premise of IAW is to provoke discussion and promote social justice, students should be exposed to a variety of dissenting perspectives without being accused of contributing to the suffering of the Palestinians. It should not be the voice which is loudest or the poster which has the most emotional appeal, but a true effort to bring about dialogue and a reconciliation of the situation. As Khaleb Abu-Toameh, an Arab-Israeli journalist who has worked with both the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Jerusalem Post said, “using the language of apartheid only makes things worse on the ground for everyone. If you truly want to help Palestinians, do something positive for them.”
—Marian Pinsky,
Sociology
The Link Volume 31 Issue 01