Hatred on Canadian Campuses Uncovered on Facebook
by Cantor Ari Isenberg

In just six weeks Israel will be celebrating its 60^th anniversary; yet, as I sit here in my study writing this editorial, I am quite fearful. 

I fear for what is increasingly alarming rhetoric in the world today questioning Israel’s legitimacy as a State and its fundamental right to even exist.  Don’t get me wrong – like any government on earth, Israel’s government may make bad choices and mistakes once in a while.  Frankly, Israel’s population is the first to speak out at its own government for mistakes made.  But there is a significant difference between questioning a government policy and questioning a country’s very right to even exist.  It is increased rhetoric about the latter that concerns me.

This topic seems to emerge almost everywhere, including on university campuses.  Indeed, even some very mainstream and educated Canadians support the notion that Israel is fully to blame for the suffering of the Palestinians and the demise of the entire region.  Moreover, they assert that the Palestinians’ tactic of launching rockets into Israel is a justified response.

I’m not sure how many of you have heard of an online social networking site called Facebook, but it is a site that has become immensely popular, particularly among the university demographic.  This past week, a Dalhousie University student posted an editorial suggesting that Canadian campuses tend to take a left-wing approach when it comes to matters of domestic and international politics and policy.  For instance, would the view of a student who staunchly supports the US war in Iraq be the minority view on Canadian campuses?   Responses were encouraged.

The discussion that ensued, though, was one on Israel and its surrounding territories.  In my capacity as both a fellow student and associate chaplain of Dalhousie, I was asked to intervene and monitor the message board.  Admittedly, I initially didn’t understand why my intervention was necessary, especially given the original topic of the editorial.  Then I read some of the online entries.  I honestly could not believe my eyes!  These are seemingly ordinary, educated, and comfortable students on Canadian campuses who have such contempt for Israel.  It makes me wonder just how many people out there actually have contempt but perhaps don’t always vocalize it – are both Israel and its supporters really up against such a huge hurdle?

Among the tamer yet still quite shocking entries are these:

One student wrote:

“of course the palestinians won't recognize israel's right to exist RIGHT ON TOP of where they used to exist, nor should they be forced to recognize Israel.” 

Yet this student goes on to say:

“I am not denying the israeli peoples' right to exist. I agree that the jews were persecuted and oppressed for years. I agree that they deserve a place to live after years of displacement.  Why not somewhere in Europe?”

Another student chimed in:

“I don't necessarily dislike israel. What i dislike is the nature of its creation, the many costs associated with its creation, and the military dominance that was necessary for such a place to exist. I don't think that years of oppression give a people the right to trample over others. Restitution is one thing, what happened in "palestine" is another.” 

Other statements included:

“Palestine actually just refers to the region between the Jordan river and the mediterranean, so yes, they (Israelis) technically are occupying palestine.”

When asked about that statement, this student wrote:

“alright, I agree. it was anti-israel. but what i know you are implying is that it was also anti-semitic. which isn't true. as far as i can tell, you believe that I dislike jews because i dislike israel. this is not the case… just because a british proclamation from 90 years ago says something doesn't make it the law anymore.   hm i wonder if people have ever considered, that the reason why israel is where it is now, is becasue maybe noone in europe wanted to keep the jews? in fact, segregating them in their own country seems extremely anti-semetic.”

Indeed, all very alarming!  Even Israel’s foreign minister noted her concern this past week (a general concern, not specific to Facebook) about escalating anti-Israel rhetoric.

It is never easy to go out there in the world as a minority and engage in discussions on this issue with people who have completely contrasting views.  Dialogue with like-minded people is a safe-haven of sorts.   Yet, we must force ourselves to engage in discussion with those who hold opposing positions.

I posted a response on the Facebook website – it wasn’t anything overly extensive, nor does it address every issue that I could have raised, but I needed to say something.  The following is what I wrote:

With over 100 comments on this forum in just a handful of days, it is clear that a nerve has been touched - maybe even a couple.  I hope these facts provide some insight.

Fact #1:
Mainstream media do not provide enough accuracy and clarity in their reports from Israel and surrounding areas, and we therefore should not rely solely on bits and pieces from news media to form firm positions.  Before criticizing and displaying extreme hatred towards something, be sure to go about a thorough process of critical analysis and do your best to discern fact from fiction.  For instance, given the hardships that many Palestinians endure, why are the twenty-two Arab states that surround Israel unable to provide some humanitarian support for their own brethren?  Why is Egypt unwilling to freely open its border with Gaza?  What role does the fighting among the various Palestinian factions play in their struggle as a nation?

Fact #2:
It is wrong to draw a moral equivalence between the work of Israel's military and the work of Hamas and Hezbollah. In chaotic and arbitrary fashion, Hamas and Hezbollah launch rockets into Israel and carry out suicide missions in Israel with the goal of striking at the core of Israeli civilian life.

Israel's Defence Forces (the recognized army of a recognized country) launches systematic and specific military operations aimed at dismantling terrorist outposts. Unfortunately, as a result of these operations, some Palestinian civilian casualties do occur. Perhaps a reason for this is that Hamas prefers to hide among its own civilians and use them as PR bait.

Fact #3:
Roughly only 78% of Israel's population is Jewish. It is a fully democratic country with many secular ambitions (artistic, technological, agricultural, and medical among them) that benefit the world.  Nevertheless, it is also at the core of the modern Jewish psyche. Judaism and the State of Israel have merged. There is no Judaism without Israel and there is no Israel without Judaism.  In this new era, to question the legitimacy of or be against the existence of Israel IS to be anti-Semitic.

That last point is something I firmly believe.  Today, I strongly believe that modern Judaism is dependent upon the existence of the State of Israel.  Many Jews in North America and elsewhere in the Diaspora no longer distinguish between Jewish mitzvot (deeds / obligations) and Zionist practices.  Giving tzedakah (charity) to JNF for agricultural sustainability in Israel is just as important as paying dues to a synagogue.  Singing the Israeli national anthem is just as important as chanting the Kol Nidre prayer on Yom Kippur.  Celebrating Israel’s Independence Day is just as poignant an event as celebrating Hanukkah – in fact, we recite Hallel (joyous hymns) on both occasions.  Defending negative rhetoric targeting Israel is just as important as defending negative rhetoric targeting Jews.  My Judaism today, in practice and ideology, is one that includes the current State of Israel.

So please, when you overhear hatred, try to find the courage within and do what you can to stymie it.  Eighteen-year-old Israelis enlist in the army to fight justly, to fight morally, and to defend.  Let us fight the verbal hatred of all forms.