Faculty panel on Middle East conflict tackles complex issues
Christina Nyquist
Issue date: 3/5/09 Section: News
Last Thursday afternoon, students and members of the Five College community gathered in Stoddard Auditorium to attend a faculty panel entitled "Peace in Our Time? War and Conflict Resolution in the Middle East."
Professors Justin Cammy of Jewish Studies, Suleiman Mourad of Religion, Donna Divine of Government, and Nadya Sbati of History, comprised the panel, which was moderated by Professor Gregory White, of Government.
The professors' remarks provided historical facts and context about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as their perspective on the potential for peace in the region, and emphasized the complexity of the issue at hand. Audience questions touched on the potential efficacy of "a sustained and serious US peace process," the possibility for a two-state solution, and the likelihood that Israel would support political and economic growth in Palestine. Students also expressed concerns about the title of the panel and why there was no Palestinian speaker, among others.
The event ran smoothly, despite the tense atmosphere that has reigned since January, with student activism and protests, and Hampshire College's decision to divest its funding from six companies that support Israel's military "occupation" of Palestine.
Professor White opened the panel with remarks that highlighted the sensitive and controversial nature of its content and asked for reasoned and respectful listening and debate. He stated that, though the topics covered are "challenging and vexing issues," audience members and speakers should try not to "engage in argumentation ad hominem," but rather remain objective and respectful.
Professor Cammy spoke first, addressing the difficulties not just of finding a solution to Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but of implementing that solution and convincing the people of both sides to compromise.
"In politics, the hardest question is not what but how," said Cammy. Even more important than negotiating the details of a two-state solution, he explained, would be "how to sell this to one's people, how to square this with narratives that each side holds dear."
Professors Justin Cammy of Jewish Studies, Suleiman Mourad of Religion, Donna Divine of Government, and Nadya Sbati of History, comprised the panel, which was moderated by Professor Gregory White, of Government.
The professors' remarks provided historical facts and context about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as their perspective on the potential for peace in the region, and emphasized the complexity of the issue at hand. Audience questions touched on the potential efficacy of "a sustained and serious US peace process," the possibility for a two-state solution, and the likelihood that Israel would support political and economic growth in Palestine. Students also expressed concerns about the title of the panel and why there was no Palestinian speaker, among others.
The event ran smoothly, despite the tense atmosphere that has reigned since January, with student activism and protests, and Hampshire College's decision to divest its funding from six companies that support Israel's military "occupation" of Palestine.
Professor White opened the panel with remarks that highlighted the sensitive and controversial nature of its content and asked for reasoned and respectful listening and debate. He stated that, though the topics covered are "challenging and vexing issues," audience members and speakers should try not to "engage in argumentation ad hominem," but rather remain objective and respectful.
Professor Cammy spoke first, addressing the difficulties not just of finding a solution to Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but of implementing that solution and convincing the people of both sides to compromise.
"In politics, the hardest question is not what but how," said Cammy. Even more important than negotiating the details of a two-state solution, he explained, would be "how to sell this to one's people, how to square this with narratives that each side holds dear."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
K2K2
posted 3/06/09 @ 11:02 AM EST
This faculty panel on February 26 made me proud of Smith College, but please note it was held in Weinstein Auditorium in Wright Hall, not Stoddard Auditorium. (Continued…)
Beth Guthrie
posted 4/10/09 @ 11:08 PM EST
Dear K2K2,
In anonymously posting my personal information on forums such as Alan Dershowitz' Jerusalem Post blog, you are effectively embarking on a campaign to blacklist community activists for Palestinian self-determination. (Continued…)
K2K2
posted 4/11/09 @ 9:00 AM EST
Tuesday Mar 03, 2009 post by Alan Dershowitz
Double Standard Watch: The Hampshire administration does the right thing
http://cgis.jpost.com/Blogs/dershowitz/entry/the_hampshire_administration_does_the#comments
"6 | Rein NYC, Tuesday Apr 07, 2009
I do agree with Mr. (Continued…)
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