(This is the article I wrote for "The Stentor" Newspaper on it's October 20th publication)
Juan Perez
On Saturday October 7th we all woke up with the bad news of more blood being spilled in our world. This time, an unprecedented event occurred in the Gaza border with Israel. Missiles were launched from Hamas into Israel, triggering a retaliatory response from the Israeli military, which reciprocated with missile strikes on Gaza.
As of today October 12th, the official death toll from the ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas has passed 2,617, with over 1,200 killed and 2,900 injured in Israel and at least 1,417 people killed and 6,268 injured in Gaza, according to Palestinian and Israeli health services. And this is the entire story —or not quite. This conflict has been going on since 1948. Yes, I'm acutely aware that I might sound like a broken record, slipping into that age-old rhetoric while addressing this matter. But alas, there's just no getting around it: It is much MUCH more complex than that.
In writing this article, my aim is not merely to provide you with information about the issue at hand. Rather, my goal is to offer a firsthand account of how this matter unfolds within our campus community, along with the essential resources to empower you to form your own perspective on the issue. Where people on this campus stand on this issue does not concern me at the moment. What deeply concerns me is the risk of individuals, in a world inundated with both genuine information and misleading narratives, opting for ignorance when faced with an ongoing humanitarian crisis
Today at 2:30 pm, a group of pro-Palestine students embarked on a mission to amplify their voices, staging a compelling demonstration right in the shadow of Brown Hall. As I arrived at the scene, my eyes were met with a sea of flags and vibrant posters, all standing as staunch testaments to their unwavering support for Palestinian lives. The event was organized by the Social Justice Alliance Group whose president I had the chance to interview earlier in the morning.
Dima Muamar was the first person I interviewed, she is Palestinian born and raised in Gaza strip. At the age of 15, she left on her own to study abroad a year in the United States and then later on two years in the Netherlands. When she was there, her family successfully managed to move outside of Gaza Strip after four years of trying and they managed to reunite in Belgium.
Muamar’s passionate words resonate with urgency as she explains that the event, she’s coordinating stands as a swift response to bring attention to the situation in Palestine. She underscores the necessity of this action, particularly when the reality on the ground is often obscured by Western media coverage. In her own words, she shares, "I had a conversation with my professor, and he was keen to understand the situation. So, I turned to the New York Times, and I saw all the headlines that were there, and I was like, well… that really does not represent what is actually happening.”
She wants people to see the other side of the issue that western media is not covering “we're just here to educate, to shed light on what is actually happening. If a student wants to take it. This is amazing. If they don't want, then this is up to them”. She says that she is expecting few back lashes from other students on campus.
In my conversation with Muamar, we delved into a topic that deeply concerns her: the coverage of the Palestinian situation by Western media outlets, which, as she points out, form the bulk of our news sources here in the U.S. The issue at hand is the prevailing bias, with seemingly consistent narratives across major networks like CNN, FOX News, BBC, and NBC. This raises a fundamental question for LFC students: Where can we find alternative, more diverse sources of information?
Posters used at the demonstration -Photo courtesy of Sisi Wattanagool
Muamar’s perspective on this matter is straightforward. She suggests steering clear of mainstream sources such as New York Times, CNN, and BBC. Instead, she leans toward Al Jazeera in English as a relatively more reliable option. But her most compelling recommendation is to engage with the experiences and perspectives of those directly affected—the Palestinians themselves.
Muamar underscores the importance of following Palestinian journalists and influencers on the ground. These individuals dedicate their lives to sharing the harsh realities they face daily, particularly in Gaza. Through platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, they provide firsthand accounts, even in English, so that the world can truly comprehend the gravity of the situation. “You will be watching the video hearing the bombs, hearing everything.”
Muamar’s recommendations for alternative media sources include Al Jazeera in English, Electronic Intifada, Eyes On Palestine, Craving Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace. These outlets offer a more nuanced and multifaceted view of the Palestinian narrative, allowing for a broader and more informed perspective on this complex issue.
2:20 PM, Time for the Demonstrations
As the clock approached 2:20, the atmosphere on the campus held a palpable sense of anticipation. I'm not exaggerating, while I skipped the first 15 minutes of my class, my fellow students were discussing how they found it nearly impossible to concentrate on the professor with the ongoing events outside the classroom. Heading down the stairs of Brown Hall, the steady hum of voices began to reach my ears, a rising crescendo of determination and readiness. To my surprise at 2:25, and a significant gathering had already formed in the open space, taking shape in a large, purposeful circle. Among the assembled, a diverse blend of students had converged, some motivated by curiosity, eager to uncover the unfolding events, while others bore a resolute message, they were intent on sharing with the world. Ah, I almost forgot, public safety was walking around the event too.
Muamar took the floor as the first speaker, her voice resonating with strength and conviction. With unwavering resolve, she began to read a passionate speech, one that underscored the critical need for genuine decolonization approaches, a path that holds the promise of eventual freedom for Palestine. In no uncertain terms, she laid bare the grim reality: what’s unfolding is nothing short of a genocide, what she referred to as “ethnic cleansing.”
Muamar felt compelled to communicate to her fellow students the alarming humanitarian crisis that the Israeli government had imposed on Gaza. She highlighted the dire consequences of the deprivation of basic necessities like water, electricity, and internet, a situation that had pushed the region to the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. (This information has been verified and corroborated.)
“As we are speaking right now, families are being massacred…As we’re speaking rockets are being drop over Palestinians in Gaza…This has all just been three days… Imagine if this lasts for longer”
Muamar’s speech passionately implores LFC students to take action in the face of injustices in Palestine. She stresses the importance of speaking up. "Contact your state representative and demand that your tax dollars should not support ethnic cleansing and genocide," she urged. Muamar emphasized the need to engage with family and friends and use social media to ensure that the Western narrative doesn't overshadow the truth. Even if governments fail to support Palestinians, she insisted that they should never accept or normalize the occupation of Palestine.
In a heart-wrenching revelation, Muamar shared that, while preparing her speech, she received distressing news about the murder of two of her relatives. Tragically, her family wasn't even aware of this loss due to the lack of communication. She pointed out that while some were fleeing the land they had taken (Israelis), her family in Gaza was fleeing from one bombed house to another, fighting to stay alive.
Raneem Samman, a senior from both Jordan and Palestine at our college, was the second speaker of the day. In a later interview, he articulated the core objectives of his speech. Firstly, Samman aimed to provide LFC students with essential context surrounding the events in Palestine. His second goal was to reiterate the significance of the Palestinian cause. Finally, he sought to convey actionable ways for students here in the U.S. to contribute meaningfully.
Samman during his intervention at the demonstration- Photo courtesy of Sisi Wattanagool
In the spirit of this mission, Samman told me that the LFC Arab Association is committed to providing valuable resources that shed light on the experiences of Palestinian people. These resources would include narratives and firsthand accounts, enabling students on campus to engage with the stories and perspectives from Palestine, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of the ongoing situation.
The Israeli perspective…
In the midst of the loud voices of the pro-Palestinian demonstrators, a powerful counterpoint emerged. Just beside the big Palestinian gathering, an unmistakable white pamphlet adorned with a blue Star of David, the Israeli flag, had a clear message: “We stand with Israel.” This guy holding this sign, without a microphone or an orchestrated speech, managed to captivate my attention. This juxtaposition raises a compelling question: Could this lone pro-Israeli demonstrator represent the very backlash that Muamar had spoken of earlier?
Zimbelman standing right next to the Palestinian protest- Photo courtesy of Sisi Wattanagool
It turns out that this guy was also showing his stand for what he believes is the right cause. He introduced himself as Ido Zimbelman, a sophomore at the college, from Israel, and pursuing a major in Politics with aspirations to go to law school. And I mean… I can see the lawyer in his speech. I couldn't help but notice the eloquence in his speech, which seemed reminiscent of a skilled attorney presenting a compelling case. In a captivating narrative fashion, Zimbelman proceeded to share the motivations that led him to stand alone in front of a gathering comprising over 30 people, whose beliefs and convictions starkly differed from his own.
He says that it was the night before at 10pm when he found out that there was going to be a protest against Israel, so he did not have much time to prepare:
“They were ready. And they invited people so that I wasn't aware about that. I had a soccer match and then a night class. So basically, after the night class was over, then I opened my phone and I saw that a lot is going on. And we just established a new Hillel Club, which represent the Jewish community and Israelis. And so, we're pretty new on this field.”
My curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn't help but ask why Zimbelman stood alone in his stance. He explained that many members of the Hillel group, which represents Jewish students, were unaware of the event, and he simply hadn't had the time to inform everyone.
However, his primary motivation for taking a solo stand that day stemmed from tragic news he had received earlier. Zimbelman learned that a fellow student from his high school had lost their life during the attacks. He passionately conveyed his belief that doing nothing in the face of such loss would be a disservice to their memory. He felt a deep obligation to honor the memory of those he considered to be like family. He shared with conviction, “I couldn't just sit, watch how people are protesting against my people against my country, and in some sort of way, violating the memory of the victims, and I would do nothing? no way.”
So, does Zimbelman think the media is right in this case?
Zimbelman thinks that is very hard to tell the accuracy of media reports, emphasizing the importance of considering the sources of information. While acknowledging the existence of media bias, he contended that the international support for Israel stemmed from the perception that the attack had targeted civilians in a particularly brutal manner. “Hamas didn't target soldiers. They didn't attack military bases. (Fact checked) They targeted babies, they targeted citizens. And that's something that I don't think that any normal person can justify. How can you justify cutting off the head of 40 babies? (This claim was corroborated initially but later it turned out to be false) How could you justify something like that? You know what, let's say everything they're saying (pro-Palestinians) is right, maybe we the Israelis are terrible people. In that case… Attack soldiers, why are you raping women, raping little girls. Why are you kidnapping all people why murdering children? So, I could assume that pro-Palestinians are saying that media is wrong because now the media is covering this information in a way that they don't like”.
So what is the school’s stand on this issue:
While crafting this article, a college-wide email from President Baren underscored her concern for the ongoing issues and extended the resources available through the institution. Yet, the question lingers: is this response sufficient?
From a personal standpoint, it's notable that the college, as an academic institution, has adopted commendable practices, including promoting free speech and striving to be a neutral and inclusive platform. Nevertheless, there remains room for improvement. Without taking a stance, it is imperative that the school engages in self-reflection regarding its role in this complex matter. The college should actively promote and facilitate intellectual discourse and debates that provide a platform for the academic presentation of diverse ideas and perspectives.
Muamar, reflecting on her experience, mentioned that she received a few emails checking on her well-being and offers of therapy options that she believes she may need. However, in terms of her interactions with professors, the responses varied. Some faculty members did not provide support, failing even to respond to her emails. In contrast, others proved remarkably helpful, offering accommodations like project extensions, excused class absences, and a listening ear if required. President Baren had mentioned that support for the Palestinian movement would rely on student initiatives, as the college is federally funded.
Muamar expressed gratitude for the space provided to host the event but remains cautious about the extent of forthcoming support in the days to come.
Samman expressed a desire for the college to facilitate the donation of resources to actively champion the values of equity, justice, and diversity that the institution stands for.
Zimbelman, on the other hand, reported receiving numerous emails from professors and faculty members, some from previously unknown offices. He noted that the college had offered resources such as the Health and Wellness Center, although he hadn't utilized them. He felt a sense of support from the college community at large.
Final thoughts
So, my fellow readers, if you've journeyed with me through this article to its conclusion, I extend my gratitude for your commitment to being better informed about this critical issue. Let me reiterate, my intent here has not been to sway your opinion or tell you who's right and who's wrong. Rather, it has been to introduce you to the perspectives of our fellow students on campus and equip you with the tools to become well-versed in this matter.
A common thread among all those I interviewed was a resounding plea: emphasize the significance of being informed before sharing videos or arguments, merely for the sake of picking a side. Dive into the conflict's history, engage with your peers, be inquisitive, explore varied sources, and, most crucially, refuse to remain indifferent in the face of this ongoing humanitarian crisis.
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