UW brings Mideast conflict in focus

Ask Muslim and Jewish student activists at the University of Washington if there is mounting tension on campus because of the current events surrounding the Middle East, and most will give you a resounding no.

It's always been tense.

As the Bush administration and its allies push for a "road map" to try and end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by creating a Palestinian state in 2005, local pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups at the campus have made their presence known in hopes of educating the public on each side of the issue.

Reflection of society

Rene Singleton, the university's assistant director of student activities since 1990, said the recent activism is a reflection of the community at large.

"It has always been like that at this campus," she said. "They are pretty much on target with the rest of the world."

The two groups converged last week when Ra'anan Gissin, senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, spoke to a crowd of more than 300 at the university's HUB Auditorium.

His hourlong lecture touched on several topics, including analysis on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of the country as the only democracy in the Middle East.

Although the majority of the attendees and those protesting the lecture were peaceful, some in the audience engaged in shoving and shouting matches. Campus police were on hand to pull both sides away from each other.

Seattle resident Amin Odeh, of the organization Voices of Palestine, said his group protested the lecture because he blames Gissin for some of the oppressive policies against Palestinians in Israel.

"You couldn't do this (protest) at home because you could get shot. Do this in Gaza and you can be targeted to be deported," he said. "So we take full advantage of the democratic system here to make our case."

Junior Shira Kaufman, an organizer of the lecture from the group Huskies for Israel, said the demonstrators were expected and welcomed.

"These programs facilitate a dialogue with different perspectives," she said. "It's fuel for ideas."

Kaufman said that besides bringing in speakers and having cultural and educational events, Huskies for Israel and other local Jewish student groups have orchestrated protests on the controversial film "Jenin, Jenin" at North Seattle Community College.

About 15 members of local and campus Jewish groups peacefully protested at last night's lecture by Columbia University professor and author Edward Said, which was attended by more than 750. Some Jewish student activists characterize Said's writings as anti-Semitic and pro-Palestinian.

Dialogue lauded

Though both sides agree to disagree on the philosophy of how to reach peace between the Israeli and Palestinian people, they say that creating a dialogue is the first step.

"We want to educate people," said Iris Velarde, a sophomore from the Muslim Student Association. "It's up to them to make a decision."

Kaufman agreed. "We need to raise awareness and keep people involved and educate people. You can't be silent on these issues.

"This university is the perfect place to dialogue on these issues and learn. That's why you go to college. That's the point, right?"

Nguyen Huy Vu: 206-464-2376 or vunguyen@seattletimes.com