‘Israel at 75’ presents a unique opportunity
Editor’s Note: This is a guest opinion that has been submitted by a member of the Rice community. The views expressed in this opinion are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of the Thresher or its editorial board. All guest opinions are fact-checked to the best of our ability and edited for clarity and conciseness by Thresher editors.
The initiative to reject Rice University’s Israel at 75 conference is rooted in hatred and performative anger. The Israeli occupation of Palestine is an issue that has plagued many for decades — people have lost their homes, friends, families and lives. This issue is nuanced and convoluted beyond most Rice students’ comprehension, including our own. The Baker Institute is not attempting to diminish these issues or glorify Israel’s actions over the past 75 years. By hosting this conference, it is simply acknowledging that this conflict continues to be one of the defining dilemmas of our time and one that deserves attention, especially at a center of education such as Rice University.
By encouraging the average student at Rice who lacks deep understanding regarding the occupation to protest and boycott the conference, we are discouraging people from listening to those who are personally involved in the issue, perpetuating both hatred and the conflict itself. Why not encourage people to attend, and come with questions and criticisms? The speakers are coming from a plethora of backgrounds related to the conflict, and it is in all of our interests to listen, regardless of whether we agree with what they have to say. Among the panelists are Israeli leaders who offered unprecedented concessions of peace, current U.S. ambassadors to numerous Middle Eastern countries, esteemed Ivy League professors, and the former prime minister of the Palestinian Authority. If this group of people isn’t allowed to have productive discourse, what group is? And who are we to deny them this platform?
The urge to shut down any conversation related to this painful topic is understandable, but the opportunity to foster exciting new dialogue among this diverse group of leaders, while providing us mostly uninformed Rice students the rare chance to educate ourselves on a complex global issue from the people attempting to solve the issue firsthand, is a unique occasion that everyone involved should recognize, not shut down.
More from The Rice Thresher
Students of conscience should boycott Local Foods
Local Foods has served, for many years, as a casual Houston restaurant option for Houston residents, including Rice students. Folks on campus will notice that this option has become more proximate, as a Local Foods location claims space on campus in the Brochstein Pavilion.
Insurance options for Ph.D. students are overpriced and insufficient
Doctoral students at Rice are given insufficient health insurance options especially compared to institutions with graduate student unions. Aetna’s graduate student health insurance plan leaves students with significant costs compared to the minimum annual stipend. Additionally, the available Aetna plan offers insufficient benefits when compared both to medical insurance plans at peer institutions and to the non-subsidized Wellfleet plan – Rice’s alternative option for international students.
Keep administrative hands off public parties
Emergency Management is hoping to implement a new system that has students swipe their IDs when entering public parties to cross-check their name with a pre-registered list. This idea is being touted as an effort to reduce check-in time and lines at publics. The thing is – we are tired. After bans on events, APAC and dramatic changes in party requirements, we want hands off the public party.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.