The below article is cross-posted from the OC Task Force on Anti-Semitism. It concerns the up-coming appearance of a co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement at the UC-Irvine campus.
http://octaskforce.wordpress.com/2010/11/16/olive-tree-initiative-hosting-international-solidarity-movement-leader-at-uc-irvine/#more-3237
The Olive Tree Initiative is a program at UC-Irvine established to send groups of UCI students to the Holy Land. These groups consist of both Jewish, Muslim and others who are exposed to various aspects of the Israel-Palestine issue and supposedly return with a more open mind on both sides.
http://www.olivetreeinitiative.org/
The funding for this program involves the Rose Project, created by the Jewish Federation of Orange County. The below link is to the OC Jewish Federation website which describes the Rose Project.
http://jewishorangecounty.org/page.aspx?id=216190
Let's be clear; there is nothing balanced about the ISM. It is an organization solidly devoted to recruiting young activists who can agitate and propagandize for the pro-Palestinian-anti-Israeli point of view. The first link above explains just who these people are.
This raises the question in my mind as to whether the Jewish Federation of Orange County, the Rose Project as well as the OC Hillal have any role whatsoever in bringing this speaker to campus. If so, why would they participate in sponsoring a speaker for the ISM-an organization basically devoted to the destruction of Israel and linked to violent Palestinian extremists.
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Dear Gary,
Please do not judge an event before an appearance. There are (2) two George Rishmawi's, and some of your background information posted on OCT is the other George Rishmawi.
This current George Rishmawi no longer works for ISM (maybe you can ask him why in the presentation), and currently heads the Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies (http://www.sirajcenter.org/)
He also chaired a rapprochement center that invited both Israelis and Palestinians to work out differences.
Thank you for your understanding
Matan
Dear Matan,
Thank you for pointing out that there are two George Rishmawis. I will check into that further.
I have also been advised that in the 2008 OTI trip there were two other activists who particpated who are big supporters of BDS.
It is true that George Rishmawi has been on the OTI itinerary for three (3) years, and he is supportive of BDS (something I am very very much against).
We also had a variety of hard-core idealogical settlers on the trip that many students including myself didn't agree with :)
This isn't a federation or Hillel sponsored event.
Matan,
Is this the same person who was a co-founder of International Solidarity Movement?
Isn't it true that the Rose Project supports OTI financially? (The Rose Project was established by the Federation.)
My point, Matan, is that any connection between the OTI and ISM stinks.
Dear Gary,
One of the points of OTI is to bring all sides, perhaps as ridiculous and controversial as they are, to spark dialogue and discussion with all types of students on campus.
A speaker like George, who used to be a leader of the ISM, helps engage anti-Israel students to the OTI program in which they will be more likely to attend future events with more of an Israeli narrative.
While the Rose Project sponsors OTI, there are no stipulations on what speakers OTI brings. As we met on the trip, there were some speakers, from both sides, that would rather have violence than peace. Those people are a still an important part of the ongoing conflict (obviously).
This particular speaker, now currently does so of the most dialogue and diplomacy with the Israelis.
I hope you will be able to attend what I think will be a successful and interesting event. I would definitely rather have George Rishmawi in a structured discussion than Malik Ali or other MSU speakers that makes such dialogue rather impossible.
Matan
Matan,
I am willing to keep an open mind, especially since I am still checking into that other George Rishmawi. I just hope you are not falling for some wolf in sheep's clothing. I am reminded of a couple of years back when the PR head of the Muslim brotherhood spoke in Mark Levine's class and bamboozled the students with all the talk of how moderate the MB was, quoting such 'praceful" figures as Al Banna and Qaradawi.
I am still troubled by the idea that Rose Project could be funding anyone associated with the ISM-unless he has completley disowned them.
On a side note; During your speech at the Yudof event, you characterized descriptions of anti-Semitism at UCI by outside community members as "lies". (I am paraphrasing, of course.) At some point, I would love to exchange views with you on that question. Why don't you drop a comment on the posting about the Yudof event and we can take it from there. (You will notice that I didn't refer to you by name because I like to keep students names out of it whenever possible-including MSU.
Insufficient data here to tell, but knowing that Gary and the Jewish milieus who are closest to him deny that Israeli government policy poses any obstacle at all to a realistic peace plan in the middle east, while denouncing anyone who criticizes Israel as in bed with Hezb-i-u-Lah, I suspect the Olive Tree Initiative is exactly the kind of thing I would support. If everyone gets to hear all points of view, then make an intelligent choice, the most belligerent factions all around will be the losers.
Siarlys,
True enough. The OTI does that. I still think it is resonable to question whether the Jewish Federation and the Rose Project are funding speakers with connections to the ISM-which is solidly anti-Israel. If true, might some Jewish donors be uncomfortable with tha?.
It's just a question. Hopefully the Fed and Rose can claify it.
Gary,
The Rose Project only helps fund the trip. This particular speaker has no affiliation with either Rose or the Federation.
As far as the Yudof event, I feel many of the media outlets do not properly cover student concerns. I see Milstein quoted in 1/2 of them, never do I see the student leaders of any Jewish groups.
Matan
Matan
Matan,
Thanks for that info. It seems that in the 2008 trip there were contacts with two George Rishmawis on the schedule, one with the intial S and another with no initial. Would the other be George N Rishmawi? I just want to clear up the confusion.
As for the Yudof event, I have only seen a couple of reports. It seems to me that mainstream media like the OC Register tend to split their reporting right down the middle (based on prior stories). Ditto for the LA Jewish Journal. I don't think Ms Milstein was at the Yudof event.
As for the OTI, I recognize that the purpose is to expose you to both sides. As to whether that has moderated MSU behavior at UCI, I am doubtful. I do think, however, it is useful to take a closer look at some of the people involved.
Here is a question I have; why would the Rose Project, a creation of the Jewish Federation, fund a venture including supporters of BDS? (Divestment and Sanctions from Israel)? There may be a reasonable explanation, but I think it is a topic worthy of discussion.
Gary,
@OTI 2008 Trip:
I was not on the 2008 trip, unfortunately.
@Yudof Event:
The majority of negative publicity surrounding UC Irvine is created and propagated by Neelie Milstein and her "crew". The other 200 students I interact with on a weekly basis have no affiliation with them, and would disagree with reports of "cesspool of anti-Semetism"
@OTI Exposure:
I don't think the point ever has been or should be to "moderate-ize" individuals, in fact the goal has been equal opportunity at education and learning from personal experiences, which in turn has created a more understanding and educated community.
Mainstream Israel haters are never going to be turned or drawn into OTI, but they have been very successful at recruiting fringe elements which in turn are very critical. I'm not comfortable giving out names or situations here, we can talk in person.
@Rose Project
What do you think, Gary, should rose project do? Not fund the project because supporters of BDS are speakers? Should the Muslim donors also drop donations because we speak to ideological settlers? There has to be academic flexibility.
"The majority of negative publicity surrounding UC Irvine is created and propagated by Neelie Milstein and her "crew". The other 200 students I interact with on a weekly basis have no affiliation with them, and would disagree with reports of "cesspool of anti-Semetism"
Matan,
You made reference to that point at the Yudof event when you called the characterization of UCI "a lie".
Yet, I wonder who you are accusing of lying? Please visit the below link:
http://octaskforce.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/huge-anti-israel-rally-at-uc-irvine-president-of-afi-uc-irvine-has-been-a-hotbed-for-anti-israel-and-anti-semitic-activism-over-the-past-seven-years-2/http://www.adl.org/israel/israel_int_solidarity.asp
This is a quote from a former Pres of Anteaters for Israel. In addition, that same person led a group of several jewish students to the Student Govt this year to complain about anti-Semitism, which is on video.
As for Ms Milstein. She is simply a former Jewish student who had negative experiences at UCI. As to who "her crew" is, I have no idea.
Do you see how many mixed messages we are getting on the question of is there or is there not anti-Semiitsm at UCI? I think I have pretty accutately put it into perspective. 99% of the students at UCI are not involved. Yet the incidents and the words that have occurred during Israel Aparthied Week are documented going back to what-2001?
Matan,
Apologies. I accidently put two links together. Try this one.
http://octaskforce.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/huge-anti-israel-rally-at-uc-irvine-president-of-afi-uc-irvine-has-been-a-hotbed-for-anti-israel-and-anti-semitic-activism-over-the-past-seven-years-2
Matan,
Here's another one.
http://ocjewishexperience.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/must-see-video-from-jewish-students-at-uc-irvine/
So which is it?
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