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A Jewish State Means a Jewish Majority by Shimon Peres
For the "road map" to avoid becoming moribund even before it has had a chance of turning into a green light for the peace process, issues that have little chance of being resolved - such as the Palestinian "right of return" - must be removed from the road map agenda. Israel's position on this issue is unequivocal and backed by the whole of the Israeli political spectrum. If millions of Palestinian refugees are allowed to return to Israel, it will endanger the very foundations of a Jewish state. A Jewish state means a Jewish majority. And Israel will not commit political suicide. (Los Angeles Times)

Saudi Arabia Must Confront the Enemy Within - Editorial
The Saudis know that they must do far more to cooperate with Western intelligence agencies and be more proactive in identifying and arresting suspects, tracking the funds flowing out from Saudi accounts to extremist organizations, and penetrating al-Qaeda itself. Amazingly, the Saudi authorities have so far failed to infiltrate an organization whose senior members have close family links inside the country and that has won approval among disaffected Saudis. The Saudis have still failed to clear up the bombing of the al-Khobar barracks, which killed 19 Americans in 1996. The Americans were denied permission to interrogate suspects, and the investigation ran into a dead end after officials concluded that the attack was Iranian-inspired. But the investigation into these latest bombings must be swifter, more intensive, and more open. (London Times)

Issues on Campus:

Pro-Israel Campus Activists Claim Victories, Worry about Future
Pro-Israel activists report on the broader picture on North American campuses: It was a year during which pro-Israel students felt relief, pride and progress regarding Israel's profile on campus, but the struggle is far from over. Jewish groups and activists answered the call to defend Israel's name. Twenty-six groups, ranging from Aish Ha'Torah to the Reform outreach group Kesher, came together to form the Israel on Campus Coalition, a national coordinating body that provided high-profile speakers and advocacy training for students. A movement to have universities divest from companies that do business with Israel garnered headlines, but it was roundly condemned by university presidents and sank under the weight of counter-petitions supporting Israel. Dialogue even bloomed on several of the most heated campuses. Activists say students are only part of the problem: Some of the most entrenched anti-Israel voices belong to professors, campus watchers said. "In the 39 years that I've been teaching, this is the worst year," Alan Dershowitz, a Harvard law professor, said. "The deliberate lies that have been put forward by distinguished professors has had no match in this country." (JTA)
    See "Observations" below for more comments.

Harvard is Pressured to Return $2.5m Gift
Harvard Divinity School is poised to return a $2.5 million gift from the president of the United Arab Emirates after questions recently surfaced about his ties to a controversial Arab think tank with alleged anti-Semitic and anti-American leanings. The UAE president gave the money three years ago to fund a new professorship in Islamic studies, but in recent months several Divinity School students and faculty members have questioned his connection to the Zayed Center, which champions unity between Arab nations. A Harvard spokeswoman said the extreme views aired on the center's Internet site ''upset the dean and the faculty greatly.'' The site's roster of speakers included a Holocaust denier and an author alleging the US government masterminded the Sept. 11 attacks. Harvard theology student Rachel Fish was the first to raise the issue with Harvard administrators. ''The university has the right and the responsibility to discriminate in where its funding comes from,'' said Fish, 23, whose Harvard studies have jointly focused on Judaism and Islam. ''It wouldn't be a question if it was linked to the Ku Klux Klan or another racist group. I want to know why it's OK to accept this individual's money.'' (Boston Globe)

British Teaching Union Rejects Boycott of Israeli Academics
A British teachers' union rejected a proposal to have British universities sever all ties with Israeli academic institutions to protest Israel's alleged violation of the rights of Palestinians. Two-thirds of the 200 delegates at the annual conference of the Association of University Teachers rejected the proposal. (Ha'aretz)

Voices from the Campus:

Michigan: Point-Counterpoint

• What Does My Religion Have to Offer? by Jason Pesick
  Many supporters of the state of Israel try to make their case by implicitly arguing that somehow Jews are superior to their Arab neighbors. Take a look at the campustruth.org advertisements that have run in the Daily. Jews study and play sports while Arabs teach their kids to blow people up is how the argument goes. The president of my synagogue shouted his way through an impassioned speech about the importance of purchasing Israel Bonds because Israel is surrounded by hostile neighbors and desperately needs the support of U.S. Jews. He was clearly trying to tap into the segment of Jewish thought that feels that Jews are continually under attack. "Leaders" try to appeal to their fellow U.S. Jews by teaching them that Jews are superior to non-Jews, by rejecting a secular interpretation of Judaism and by constantly reminding them of the persecution Jews have faced for thousands of years. No religion deserves to survive by playing upon the fears of its followers. Instead, religions should attract supporters through the power of their ideas. My congregation's president would better serve his faith by asking for funds by saying that Israel, despite its flaws, is a democracy, a country where more Arabs have the right to vote than in any other country in the world, except the United States.

• Column Unfairly Described U.S. Jews by Ben Roth, alumnus
  Pesick mentions the campustruth.org advertisements, which expose the glorification of terror within Palestinian society. Contrary to his criticism, these ads are important because they effectively reveal what most Palestinians actively seek, the murdering of innocent Israelis. In fact, a recent poll conducted by the Jerusalem Media & Communication Center (April 5th-9th, 2003) shows that over 60 percent of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank support suicide bombing against Israeli civilians.

• U.S. Support for Israel Important by Yael Grenader
  The speech that Pesick described by his president is only about how U.S. Jews must support their fellow Jews. If U.S. Jews had helped and given more support to European Jews during the Holocaust, maybe the death toll wouldn't have been as catastrophic. It is absolutely absurd that Pesick tries to portray the president's speech as something to convey Jewish superiority. The president of Pesick's congregation was expressing this dire need to help Israel and support their fellow Jewish people in this difficult time. It is not about instilling fear into the congregants, but instead, instilling hope that maybe they can help to end the bloodshed and pave the way to peace. (Michigan Daily)

UCLA: Panel Discusses Peace in Middle East
Sincere negotiation, respect and cooperation must prevail in order for there to be peace in the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict, said speakers at the United 4 Freedom panel held last week. The forum was part of Israel Independence Week presented by Bruins for Israel. Cookie Lommel, founder and executive director for Operation Unity, a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization, related how Israel's humanitarian work changed her life. According to Lommel, programs that initiate interaction among different cultures and people can result in "cooperation and understanding and are the key to lasting peace" in the Middle East region. Mark Paredes, a press attache for the Los Angeles Consulate General of Israel, challenged what he called "widespread myths" that have resulted in the demonization of Israel and which ignore Arab countries' failings. "Radical Islam is the greatest threat to the Middle East," he said. "It was interesting to hear such different perspectives," said Jennifer Dekel, a fourth-year communication studies student and member of Bruins for Israel. "The forum presents a different side of Israel you don't often see," she said. "In fifty-five years, Israel has accomplished so much." (Daily Bruin)

Washington: Israeli Supporters Protest Lecture
As a crowd gathered in anticipation of last week's Edward Said lecture, protesters gathered peacefully outside near the crowd to show their support of Israel and dislike for Said's opinions. About 20 protesters held signs claiming that Said had to lie to gain support for his pro-Palestinian cause. "Said has fabricated his entire life story," said Huskies for Israel president Eric Hasson. "He isn't a Palestinian refugee. He was born while his parents were visiting Israel." Members of Alpha Epsilon Pi, the Jewish fraternity, joined Huskies for Israel in their protests against Said. Former UW doctorate candidate Larry May and his wife, Ruth May, a former registrar for the UW-Bothell campus, also joined Huskies for Israel. They said they protested against Said for other reasons. Larry explained that while on a trip to Israel in November, there were three suicide attacks against Israelis. "I was in Israel and experienced what effects suicide bombers had on the Israeli people," he said. "I want to show my support for a peace in Israel in a constructive manner." (UW Daily)

Harvard: Road Map - A Fresh-Faced Start by the Crimson Staff
Saturday night, the highest-level meeting between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in three years is set to begin an historic new era in the Mideast peace process in which Yassir Arafat is not at the negotiating table. Both sides now need to commit wholeheartedly to peace. While the first priority is the elimination of terrorism on the Palestinian side, Israeli leader Ariel Sharon needs to implement his own policies for peace. The continuing construction of new settlements and new settler "outposts" in the West Bank severely undermines Israel's commitment to peace. While this construction activity is in no way the moral equivalent of suicide bomber attacks, halting any and all settlement construction immediately is imperative to show respect for the Palestinians. (Crimson)

UMass: Protest Accuses NPR of Bias against Israel
Three University of Massachusetts students stood outside the building that houses the WFCR studio last week to protest what they see as National Public Radio's bias against Israel. Joseph Klement, a graduate student in business and music, held a sign outside WFCR's studio saying "NPR: Tell the Truth." He said he listens to WFCR every day but thinks it portrays Israel in a negative light. NPR manipulates language by allowing guests to call Prime Minister Ariel Sharon a "war criminal" and calling a Hamas terrorist a "spiritual leader," he said. It also fails to cover certain stories, such as camps training Mideastern children to kill Jews, he said. David Mednicoff, a UMass professor who specializes in Mideast politics and law, said the protesters do not represent a majority of area Jews or supporters of Israel. NPR maintains "the highest of journalistic standards" on the issue, he said. (Daily Hampshire Gazette)

Students in Israel:

A Trip of Self-Discovery by Erin Leitner
A tear falls: a tear that contains the rich beauty of a Kabbalat Shabbat ceremony and the passion of a prayer offered at the Western Wall. And as this tear falls, I realize why I am so moved by the Israelis, a people formerly unknown to me. I realize that this land, these traditions, and these people are a part of who I am. "They" becomes "we" and I realize that I am one of them. My Israeli experience brought me face to face with my "shorashim." Being raised in a non-observant home, I knew little about my people - I knew little about myself. On this journey of self-discovery I found the connection that was missing from my life. From the moment I stepped out off El Al's aircraft, I bonded with Israel. (Birthright)

Jewish Organizations on Campus:

Six Student Activists Selected as Hillel Fellows
Hillel has named six top Jewish student activists as fellows for the 2003-2004 academic year at the Schusterman International Center in Washington, DC. "These students have demonstrated exceptional understanding of campus issues and tremendous leadership skills," said Hillel Interim President Avraham Infeld. "They will continue as talented young professionals and as role models for undergraduates." The fellows, who serve as a critical connection between the Schusterman International Center and the student community. The six are:

• Eric Allen Bukstein, a Judaic studies graduate of the University of Michigan, chairman of the Israel Michigan Public Affairs Committee and Governing Board of Hillel on campus.
• Nili Chernikoff is a recent graduate of Bard College. She helped create a Kosher/Halal meal plan.
• Julie Fishman studied International Studies at American University. She interned for the National Jewish Democratic Council, the League of Women Voters, and was a page for the U.S. House of Representatives.
• Aaron Juda is a recent graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Hillel.
• Tova Serkin graduated from Harvard where she was the executive news editor for the Harvard Crimson. She participated in Project Otzma in which she volunteered in developing Israeli communities.
• Dena Wigder is a graduate of of Tufts University. Wigder previously interned at the Hadassah International Research Institute and was a delegate to the Massachusetts Democratic Convention (Hillel)

Observations:

Pro-Israel Campus Activists Claim Victories, Worry about Future

• Scott Dubin, NYU Gesher: "Jewish professors are afraid to take a clear stand for or against Israel. Part of that comes from a desire to remain academically neutral, but at the same time, just like the rest of the world, they're leaving the fight for Israel up to students."
• Daniel Spector, Georgetown University's Jewish Student Association: "Tides really have turned. Two years ago, American college campuses were really in a bad way for Zionist Jewish students," who now "feel comfortable on the campuses again."
• Wayne Firestone, director of the Israel on Campus Coalition: "I don't think" anti-Israel activists "produced any major results on campus in the second semester. The question is whether they will regroup under this new banner of 'End the occupation' for the coming semester."
• Avigail Appelbaum, Barnard: "I can't take classes at my Middle East" studies department at Columbia "unless I'm willing to sit through diatribe after diatribe given by professors who are not willing to hear that Israel is legitimate." Students are "afraid to be connected with Israel."
• Neta Retter, with a grant from the Avi Chai Foundation, organized a "Got Israel?" campaign at the University of California at San Diego. Activists from the school's Hillel papered the campus with fliers inquiring "Got Genes?" or "Got AIM?" and then mounted a blue and white balloon arch on campus to publicize how Israeli research - on genetics and instant messaging, for example - personally affect students' lives.
• Daniel Frankenstein, UC Berkeley: When he ran for student body president last month, his peers spat on him and launched into anti-Zionist diatribes. Frankenstein ascribes his loss partly to an anti-Zionist campaign against him. But he still thinks pro-Israel activists on campus have scored something of a victory this year. "Despite these problems, we are crushing" the pro-Palestinian forces, he said. "Last year we were simply trying to cover our asses." (JTA)