Palestinian Addresses YU students

On March 17, the Middle East Society invited students to participate in an interactive discussion with Samir Awad, a Palestinian graduate student in political science at Columbia University. The event was thought to be without precedent at Yeshiva University. Yishai Fleisher, head of the Middle East Society, explained that the society's function is to provide an intellectually honest forum to discuss issues vital to the Jewish people and the Middle East.

Over fifty students from the Uptown and Midtown campuses attended, packing into the apartment of Benji Joffe and Benji Schiller. The administration would not allow the event to be hosted on campus, therefore a decision was reached to hold the meeting in a student apartment.

Participants were greeted with a Middle Eastern ambiance, complete with Arabic style music and an array of Persian rugs and pillows. Additionally, a buffet of homemade pitas, falafel, and other Middle Eastern foodstuffs prepared by Shalom of Time Out Pizza, were presented.

After opening remarks by Fleisher, Awad delivered his message to an attentive audience. Saying that several years ago such an event could not have taken place at YU, he was very encouraged by the progress that has been made.

Awad recounted that as far back as he can remember, he has witnessed the fighting between Israelis and Palestinians. He credited the Intifada as a major breakthrough in bringing awareness to Israelis that Palestinians are not seeking the destruction of Israel. Rather, he suggested, they simply seek independence. Awad did not advocate violence in furthering the Palestinian cause. Instead he encouraged efforts to enhance education and understanding.

Having experienced much personal imposition as a result of instability on the West Bank, as his university was closed for four years during his undergraduate studies, Awad sees settling the conflict as an imperative. "We're past the stage of peace," Awad said, "it's irreversible; now we need to work together for solutions in agreement to solve the technicalities."

Awad's message to YU students was succinct. He places a great responsibility on the younger generation to not repeat earlier generations' mistakes of fighting in vain. He sees striving for this cause as his calling in life, and the reason he is pursuing an advanced education in political science.

Following Awad's monologue, the floor opened for an assortment of students questions. The questions he addressed included such provocative issues as how to deal with the PLO and right-wing Palestinian elements, what he thinks of Arafat, whether the peace process thus far has involved fair compromise, and the status Jerusalem would assume with the creation of a Palestinian state.

Throughout his answers, Samir maintained a stance of peaceful inclusion of all races and religions, emphasizing that the dividends will be worthwhile for everyone. He did criticize the Israeli government for not keeping their part of the bargain and being too concerned with elections. Not reserving his criticism for the Israelis alone, he did express a dislike of Arafat as a double talker, yet one who can accomplish more with the Palestinians than anyone else due to his experience and past.

When asked if there are Palestinian youth pushing for peace, Awad indicated that the younger generation knows that they will have much better opportunities than their parents and grandparents if real peace is attained. They have much at stake, he said, in being able to live normal lives.

Fleisher organized the event with the help of Dr. Naomi Weinberger of the political science department, who acquainted Yishai with Samir Awad. She suggested that Awad would be appropriate for such a discussion because he is an open-minded, thoughtful, and well-liked graduate student in Columbia with a future in Middle East scholarship.

Eli Gurock, a YC student, expressed the importance he places in Middle Eastern issues, commenting, "I was willing to miss Beverly Hills 90210 for this."

Fleisher viewed the event as a significant success. Often, he said, important issues such as these are given low intellectual priority on campus. He viewed the event as "taking back the Middle East for us."