Though a resurgence of violence between Israelis and Palestinians has plagued the Middle East for the past 17 months, tensions between Northwestern student groups representing the two sides have remained in check.
Across the world, mass protests have erupted in opposition to the Israeli offensive into the West Bank territories that started March 29. Israeli officials said the action was in response to Palestinian suicide bombers who have killed hundreds of Israelis, but the government began to pull out from most Palestinian-held areas by Monday.
Still, the conflict has provoked outrage on college campuses and in countries that have large Jewish and Arab populations, such as France. Since the new wave of violence began in the Middle East, France’s Jewish community has been the target of hundreds of anti-Semitic attacks, ranging from bombing at Jewish cemeteries to arson at synagogues.
But at NU, student groups such as Arab Cultural Society, Muslim-cultural Students Association and Students for Israel have maintained civil relations, choosing to focus on educating students about the conflict’s differing viewpoints instead of using more combative tactics.
The groups have been tolerant of the various opinions harbored by the other side, said Diana Droubi, co-president of Arab Cultural Society.
“We work together in everything and there is no tension whatsoever,” said Droubi, a Weinberg sophomore.
Though the groups respect each other’s opinions, they have tried to promote their own cause through speakers and events. Arab Cultural Society and McSA co-sponsored two speakers last week: Ali Abunimah, a Palestinian activist and officer with the Arab American Action Network; and Robert Fisk, a British journalist with experience covering the Middle East.
Group members were pleased with both events, which they said were well attended.
“It was a very educational experience,” said Shawn Liu, McSA co-president.
Arab Cultural Society co-president Tanya Colburn said the organizations need to do more than offer speeches to increase awareness. Colburn said there is a lack of initiative among NU students toward activism.
“They are concerned about the issues, but a lot of them are not enthusiastic enough to do something about the situation,” she said.
Jonathan Powell, president of Students for Israel, said his group has responded to the violence in the Middle East by joining together.
“I feel like there is a rebirth of activism on campus regarding this issue,” said Powell, a Weinberg freshman. “People are really coming through whenever the board needs them to help out and participate.”
The group had a packed week, celebrating Israel Week with the country’s Memorial Day last Tuesday and Independence Day on Wednesday. They are planning a rally for May 7.
Powell said the situation in Israel has led to a greater sense of community during the week’s events, with some students not even involved in the group coming and voicing support.
McSA member and Weinberg sophomore Anees Fazili said NU students either have illustrated their emotions about the violence or stayed indifferent.
“There are two extremes: those who are really aware and active, and those who are really apathetic and only hear about it in the news, if they watch the news at all,” he said.