Following its long, proud practice of bringing in high-profile international figures to present their views, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs hosted Israel’s New York Consul General, Dani Dayan, on April 24. His appearance also drew the usual subjects, protesting outside Eggers in the hallway outside the Strasser Legacy Room, as well as inside it. Those hooligans dishonored themselves, their purported cause and the university. A few minutes into Ambassador Dayan’s talk, one student stood up and began screaming invectives. She was fairly quickly hustled out, shouting all the way. A few minutes later, another student staged a similar scene. The hallway then erupted into more chants, lasting approximately 20 minutes, until they were belatedly silenced.  

Throughout, the ambassador continued his remarks, touching on the rationale for renewed Jewish sovereignty in their land after nearly two millennia, while also acknowledging Palestinian rights. He reprised repeated Israeli proffered conflict-ending compromises, all summarily rejected by the Palestinians. Israel, like all countries, has its own imperfections, but is now proudly celebrating enormous achievements after 70 years of statehood. Technological wonders, emerging from its many start-ups, continue to enrich the entire world.

A wide-ranging question and answer session followed, including somewhat hard-edged questions. That is as it should be. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is extraordinarily complex, offering any number of issues for serious analysis and debate. Brainwashed protesters, though, want none of that. Armed only with well-rehearsed, simplistic slogans, they couldn’t even argue — much less win — a serious debate. For all its complexity, though, the reason for the conflict’s continuance has always been obvious: Arab refusal to accept the legitimacy of a sovereign Mideast Jewish state. Such stance demands denial of Jewish history. Dayan provided one telling example. A year ago, U.N. Secretary General António Guterres referred to a “Jewish” Temple in Jerusalem. The infuriated Palestinian delegation head sharply rebuked him, demanding a retraction.

Protesters more wisely would shout “Free the Palestinians.” They’re being held hostage by the hatred of Israel and Jews incessantly spewed by self-appointed, despotic, corrupt leaders. They, not Israel, are their real enemy. Palestinian media have poisoned the minds of successive generations with lies and incitement to martyrdom, amid fantasies of ultimate victory. Worst served of all is that aging cohort of actual refugees, and their now multi-generational descendants, cruelly promised never-to-occur return.

In focusing misguided rage on Israel, protesters actually harm those they imagine they help.

Sincerely,

Richard Wilkins, Syracuse University Class of 1958, 1961