At Large
The Limits of Evenhandedness
At the London School of Economics, racism is in the eye of the beholder.
LONDON — While a unilateral Israeli cease-fire has at least temporarily brought some calm to the recent conflict in the Holy Land, the same cannot be said about the tensions on the campus of the London School of Economics.
Since students returned to campus to begin the Lent term earlier this month, supporters of the Palestinian cause have organized protests, rallies, and (hilariously) an occupation of one of the main lecture halls on campus. The Students Union also passed a resolution condemning the Jewish state.
The “Defend Gaza, Condemn the Israeli Massacre” resolution stipulated, among other things, that of the “The knowing endangerment of civilians is illegal, immoral and unacceptable and that our Union has a moral obligation to stand against such action whenever it occurs.”
The knowing endangerment of civilians is, of course, the modus operandi of Hamas. Anybody want to take bets whether the LSE Students Union has upheld its “moral obligation” to condemn that terrorist organization for its endangerment of civilian life? Or for that matter, how many resolutions has the LSE Students Union passed condemning the numerous dictatorships around the world that routinely brutalize civilians? It should be noted that the resolution does not mention Hamas rocket attacks against Israel even once.
Third-year international history student Joseph “Seph” Brown was the “proposer” of the Students Union’s anti-Israel resolution. Articulate, smart, and seemingly well read in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Brown is a member of the Palestine Society and the Anti-Racism officer of the Students Union. An impressive fellow, he is the type of politically active person LSE is famous for producing. While he won’t say that he plans to be a politician one day, you get the sense he hasn’t rule out the possibility. Unfortunately, Brown has a terrible propensity to explain away evil.
“I just want to make one very clear statement,” Brown tells me, taking some time away from his occupation of the Old Theatre to meet with me in an old pub. “I do not support Hamas’ tactics and I am not a Hamas sympathizer or a member.”
Okay. But as the Anti-Racism officer, I asked him, would he condemn an organization like Hamas, which has this genocidal clause in its constituting charter: “The Day of Judgment will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Muslims, O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him.”
Brown bristled at the clause and while he was happy to condemn it, he was not willing to condemn the organization that was founded upon it. “I would not condemn an organization which is founded primarily not on the destruction of Israel, not on the destruction of Jews, but on the suffering and the grievances of the Palestinian people.”
Brown continued rationalizing away Hamas’s charter, suggesting that it is no longer relevant, and repeating that while he disagrees with some of its statements, he cannot condemn the organization itself even as he ardently insists that he is not a supporter or a sympathizer of the terror group.
“What I do know is that there are aspects of their constitution which they have negated by their actions,” he protested. “This one,” Brown said of the genocidal provision in Hamas’s charter, “we will never be able to prove until they start trying to wipe out every Jew on Earth.” Thanks for clearing that up.
Meanwhile, many Jews at LSE aren’t feeling very safe these days according to Patrick Jones, the General Secretary of LSE’s Israel Society. A third-year student at LSE, Jones hails from that bastion of Jewish culture Wheeling, West Virginia. Before coming to LSE, Jones told me, he “never cared a single bit about Israel or anti-Semitism” because “growing up, anti-Semitism was something in our history books.” At LSE, he discovered that anti-Semitism wasn’t quite yet relegated to the dustbin of history.
While pro-Palestinian students are freely penning articles condemning Israel in the student newspaper, Jewish students publish their opinion pieces anonymously out of fear for their safety. According to Jones, there have been over a dozen incidents of intimidation of Jewish and pro-Zionist students on campus in recent weeks, allegedly ranging from verbal assaults, to a student getting spit on, and to even one being pushed to the ground.
Jones thinks that Brown has placed himself in a “sticky predicament” as an active participant in the campus protests against Israel while maintaining his position as Anti-Racism officer. “What [Brown] has done, I believe, has already spurred and reinvigorated the anti-Semitism that was lying beneath the surface,” Jones said. “What he has done has only stirred it up and that is what we are facing.”
As you would imagine, contributing to stirring up hate, even unintentionally, is not the mission of the Anti-Racism office. Unfortunately, even as hostilities calm down in the Middle East, it is not clear that they are going to cool down on the campus of LSE anytime soon.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (40) | Leave a comment
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Karsten Duncan| 1.21.09 @ 9:45AM
If I were a Jew in Britain - or Europe - today, I would be doing what the Jews were doing in Palestine circa 1946: having all the Jewish servicemen I could reach quietly stealing the odd weapon, and all the pretty girls they could find being nice to armed soldiers to talk them out of a pistol and a handful of bullets. I would be quietly making weapons from pipes and household chemicals and stockpiling them in defensible places. It could be they are going to need them.
Glenda Lovell Underwood| 1.21.09 @ 3:03PM
I enjoyed Mr. Weinstein's article immensely. He is quite blessed with an articulate and enjoyable personal style that only accentuates his alertness and scope for coverage. Kudos!
Michele San Pietro| 1.21.09 @ 3:24PM
Please, don't waste too much valuable time on such matters. Over here in Italy, there are also some incredible morons who burn Israeli flags just for the sake of it, without knowing anything about the actual situation in the Middle East and without even being able to find Israel or Palestine on a map.
Scott A Joseph, MD| 1.21.09 @ 3:29PM
Eventually, with the possible exception of Israel and Oz, it's going to be America versus the Islamofascist scum. The Europeans are spineless wimps, too gutless to defend their own country or anyone else's.
Alan brooks| 1.21.09 @ 3:54PM
the world has universal scapegoat:
JUDEN
Elle| 1.21.09 @ 4:13PM
Hamas HAS begun trying to eliminate all Jews. They have started their campaign with Israel. That's why Israel fights.
Europe has a history of not taking tyrants at their word. Hence the blitz of London and all the other woes wrought by Adolf-so admired by the Muslim tyrants. Wake up Europe! You are even now being canibalized by your immigrant populations.
Alan Brooks| 1.21.09 @ 4:33PM
anyhow, im just glad daffy Daphne is taking a break to watch Obama on teevee.
the little favors from God are what counts.
Marc Jeric| 1.21.09 @ 4:42PM
What is in the name? First, they call themselves communists - when the stories of Gulag, mass murders, poverty surfaced, they changed their name to socialists; then, when those experiments ended in utter poverty and wars, they became liberals or progressives. But they are still the same criminals hungry for absolute power. How appropriate that the student association of revolutionary marxists should call themselves anti-racist while promoting extermination of Jews! Let us not forget the true and full names of those previous parties: The German National-Socialist Workers Party under Hitler, and The Italian Socialist Party (fascist) under Mussolini.
Another point: Gaza was under illegal occupation by Egypt from 1948-1967; the West Bank was under illegal occupation by Jordan during the same time. So, to be accurate historically, when those lands were occupied by Israel, they were in fact liberated.
Hamas is a typical terrorist organization which kills civilians (cowards!) and hides among their own civilians thus murdering them. When in the vaning months of the WW2 the American Army entered Germany - did it stop fighting so that these "humanitarian" groups could resupply the Germans with medicines, food, and fuel?
Mike Harris, MAJ, US Army| 1.21.09 @ 8:59PM
I should find it amazing that, when confronted with Hamas' own stated intent to render the world Judenfrei, the student anti-racism officer finds himself able to rationalize away what could not be more obvious, but sadly, I don't. It is all to common for those who consider themselves avatars of tolerance to tolerate and embrace fashionable evils over the duller good. Mr. Brown's Orwellian title notwithstanding, he'd have made a fine Brownshirt back in the day.
ruth| 1.22.09 @ 2:14AM
They are very selective with their 'tolerance'.
Rahul Ghosh| 1.22.09 @ 6:01AM
The entire tragedy in Gaza will unfortunately have ramifications throughout the world. This will further act as a recruiting sergeant for Jihadists and we will have repetitions like the Mumbai massacre in different parts of the world.
The new administration must take steps to restart the peace process in Israel/Palestine.
Unfortunately the hashish of Jihadism was planted in the 80's by the Reagan administration to counter the godless communists. Many of us are paying the price for it now.
The solution of the Israel/Palestine will finally rest on the following
1. Palestinian resistance should reject violence and adopts a strong Non-Violent peaceful movement to voice their demands.
2. There should be the establishment of a secular, democratic Jewish/Moslem state which should consist of Israel, West Bank and Gaza. Here the religion will just be a personal attribute and should have noothing to do with the state
3. All inhabitants (erstwhile and current) should be allowed to return/stay in the country.
The above might seem fantastic and unrealistic to many, but my faith in basic human tolerance and dignity tells me that not now maybe in 50, nay a 100 years this will be the reality.
Friends, we have spend too much time shedding blood, let us think of planting peace.
If Ashkenazi and Spharadim can come together to form a nation, if Obama can become president of the US, then surely Jews and Moslems can live together peacefully in the beautiful land of Israel/Palestine
Mosart| 1.22.09 @ 7:02AM
We must not be quick to overlook the historical trajectory that has led us to where we are with the Palestine/ Israel situation. Both sides have constructed the ‘other’ as malicious, life-threatening, and ‘wrong’. Its hard for anyone with a stake to rid him/herself of these deep-seated preconceptions and be neutral in their approach. In addition, the call for democracy in Palestine is what led to Hamas’ ascent to power, and regardless of their manifesto they are a legitimate, democratically elected government that should be acknowledged and dealt with diplomatically, not necessarily respected.
I agree with my colleague on many of the points made, but none offer a legitimate argument for Israel’s course of action. They have continuously provoked the Palestinians, and denied the people (government notwithstanding) their basic rights and freedoms in violation of conventional human rights, along with the battery of UN resolutions they have neglected to uphold since their being recognized as a sovereign state in 1948. They have no grounds for appeal to the international community whose directives they’ve out rightly ignored for over half a century.
With regards to the Hamas manifesto and the mortar attacks, the analogy I give is that of a 5-year-old child and a special forces military officer. No matter how simple-minded (that tends to happen when the infrastructure is repeatedly wiped out and education becomes non-existent), explicitly resentful, and aggressive the child, there is no justification for Mr. special OPs to intimidate, provoke, and least of all to batter that child to a pulp.
Further to this, the climate at the LSE may be heated, but I have not heard of a single reported incident of provocation or intimidation of any sort. Some students may feel intimidated by the passionate air about campus these days, but as far as I know it hasn’t even come close to getting out of hand. I think this article is a gross exaggeration, and a reflection of the frustration, and perhaps guilt in some cases, that the Israeli side is feeling because it seems that the whole world is against them. That, in itself, should be enough evidence that to any outsider to the situation its obvious who the bully and the victim are.
Gerry Mander| 1.22.09 @ 11:44AM
Oh, another commentary that blames racism at totally legitimate political viewpoints, and tries to equate criticism with Israel with anti-semitism (although less direct than what usually is the case). This makes no more sense than those who tries to equate criticism against militant islamism with racism.
So much for free speech. Brown should shut up, because some people are idiots?
LSE Student| 1.22.09 @ 7:59PM
We have successfully held a peaceful occupation and claimed a victory of our lecture theatre at the London School of Economics in solidarity with the people of Gaza. We are well aware that our protest will mean little to the so called ‘innocent’ Israeli government. However, this is not to say we will sit back and watch our university support the actions of a government that the entire world should condemn for humanitarian reasons!
You say Hamas is a terrorist group with antiemetic aim. Yes this is true. But I invite you to reason. Will you not resort to violent and far right groups when so called centrists and democracy has not resolved anything for over decades? Do not deny this as history speaks loud enough for itself here. By killing millions of innocent civilians each day, the Israeli government is only feeding further support for Hamas.
Apathy has rained. But now the Israeli propaganda machine has been broken and they can no longer claim self defence. They can no longer pretend to be the victims when we see images of dying children, of bombed hospitals and schools. Forget about the so called ceasefire that has taken place. It will mean nothing to the people of Gaza. There is no point in saving the people of Gaza now so that they can be murder a month, or a year later! We need to provide an end to the Israeli occupation. We need to liberate the people of Palestine. Our movement in the LSE, and now 8 other British institutions including Oxford and King College London, has been compared with the beginning of the student movement against the South African apartheid. This is much bigger that because this movement is happening at a time when student activism is dead! Thus, we urge all students to forget NUS (National Union for Students), forget the government, stand up yourselves and make this statement. Show solidarity with this occupation in the LSE. Show that you care about this issue. Show the government that the age of apathy is dead and that this is the age of human rights. This is the age when we stand up for the people who have no voice. We are giving voice to silent and we are starting now.
Finally, I give you the link to our university paper, The Beaver, and allow you to judge whether the paper supports Palestinians or Israel as it screams loud enough for itself that some journalist forgot to check his facts before writing!
LSE Student| 1.22.09 @ 8:06PM
LSE Student Newspaper
http://www.thebeaveronline.co.uk/
A British National Newspaper declaring our victory.
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=60623359045&h=0Tb7F&u=8UP1w
Our Occupation Blog.
http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/
Peace!
Karsten Duncan| 1.23.09 @ 3:00AM
LSE student:
"Apathy has rained. "
Indeed it has. The question is: who has it rained on?
And you are an illiterate fool.
LSE Student| 1.23.09 @ 5:24AM
Apathy has rained on you sir as well as the rest of the world. Since you can so easily call me an ‘illiterate fool’, I ask you sir. Have you been to this war zone? Have you had all you media crushed by the Israeli soldiers to prevent the world from seeing the truth? Have you seen the un-humanitarian land that is Gaza? Children and adults living on one meal a day, if their lucky enough to even find that off course. Hospitals bombed so patients are treated outside on top on rubbles of filth where you don’t have to be doctors to know what their end will be? Do you sir know what a ceasefire is? And that it can only be called during a war in which both parties have an armed force? This is not this ceasefire but an unjust war against 1.5 million innocent people who were forced to elect a terrorist group in the hope that they may live another day!
Emil Sinclair| 1.25.09 @ 10:56PM
LSE Student,
As a fellow peer I am wondering in what sense was your occupation either successful or peaceful? First of all our university has clearly stated that it will not take a stance on the conflict – which is wise considering its diverse student body belonging to all walks of life, nationalities, religions and political affiliations. So, if the university’s ‘support’ of Israel was the grounds you based your ‘occupation’ on, then I hope you understand that your reasoning is flawed from conception.
Secondly, if victory means the disruption of your fellow student’s education, and the significant costs associated with this highly inconsiderate gimmick – then yes, you were victorious in pissing the rest of the school off!
You talk about human rights in grandiose terms, however I think you forgot that human rights extend to the Jewish and Israeli individual as well! I would say that I was shocked by your legitimizing of Hamas’ terrorist and anti-semitic conduct in your comment – as well as downright lying (“By killing millions of innocent civilians each day”). Unfortunately the reality at the LSE has taught me that democratic rights and considerations do not always include Israelis and Jews. Especially not when observing how these group’s welfare and safety are being disregarded, so a group of extremists can pretend they are saving the world through infantile gimmicks and motions.
I dare YOU to show some humanity, and say you regret Hamas rockets SOLELY targeted at Israeli civilians. I urge YOU to say that the foundations of Hamas are unacceptable. And most of all I would like to point you towards the fact that your polarization helps no-one. Respect for your cause is being lost by the regular student (just listen to talks in the hallways) who feel that you are hijacking THEIR education for YOUR propaganda.
Your speech has been heard before, and frankly second time does not make it any better. It just makes you seem even more extreme and your views disagreeable. Though I am sure that the rest of your society and the strays which were invited to the school (hence the tightened security) swallowed the regurgitation raw.
As a last comment, I find it comic that you point towards the Beaver as biased. Though, I wonder where your voice disappeared to, in the previous week where the Beaver was serving your interest to the best of its ability (as far as publicizing an article insinuating a Zionist/Jewish media conspiracy). However, I guess I should just assume that an Israeli point of view, does not count in your eyes. Huh? There is no place for Israel on campus, or on the map judging by your statements (or lack thereof)!
Maltokimbooth| 4.18.09 @ 11:14AM
"Hamas is a typical terrorist organization which kills civilians (cowards!) and hides among their own civilians thus murdering them."
And what would you call targeting schools, mosques and graveyards? Oh right, it's only terrorism when Hamas does it, right? What would you call using illegal population transfer to colonise another nation's territory? Oh right, it's only hiding among their own civilians whenever Hamas does it.
Under international law, let alone moral norms, you cannot conduct a war in which military and civilian targets are indistinguishable. It's the international equivalent of firing indiscriminately into a crowd of people on the pretext that there's a terrorist inside.
I fully abhor violence (coming from Northern Ireland I've seen quite enough of it) and desire a peaceful resolution to this conflict. But to say that the violence is somehow Hamas' fault, and that Israel 'only reacts', is to stand logic on its head. When you have nothing, as the Palestinians, and especially the Gazans, do as a result primarily of Israeli foreign policy, you will turn to extremist organisations. History bears this fact up. Until the Palestinians have justice, and something to hold on to, the root cause of the conflict will remain.
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