Princeton and the world: Dialogues on Middle East flourish

The issue of divestment has been at the forefront of campus politics, but it is only the latest in debates about Middle Eastern politics among students, faculty and administrators.

From rallies protesting potential foreign wars and varied lecture series and crowd-drawing speakers, to debates, vigorous campaigns and petitions, the University has become a distinct hub of differing views and opinions, all vying for the ears of students and staff and, in some cases, the influence of the University's administration.

However, Sherene Awad '05, a Palestinian student on campus, said that while she has had many intelligent debates on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, she feels that the campus dialogue still leaves much to be desired.

"I think that there are a lot of opinions that aren't backed up by thought, and that annoys me. I don't mind opinions against mine, because I am friends with several people who have well thought-out opinions," said Awad, also the vice-president of the Princeton Committee on Palestine.

"I happen to have strong opinions, and that has led to some experiences, but I really try to listen to other people and their opinions, so it doesn't lead to confrontations."

Yoni Schneller '03, who was born in Israel, generally agreed about the quality of campus dialogue concerning the Middle East.

"Basically, I've found Princeton students to be very reasonable in dealing with the Middle East conflict. Except for a loud handful of reflexively hostile kids . . . most students on both sides of the issue are willing to look at the conflict with the nuance and consideration it demands," Schneller said.

Diana Petersen '03, press correspondent for the Princeton Committee Against Terrorism, which seeks to promote patriotism through increased public awareness of political issues, said, "I think it's a great place for people to come for discussion."

Carlos Ramos-Mrosovsky '04, chairman of the PCAT, said he thought the University should not stake out any particular stance but rather serve as a forum for campus dialogue.

"I don't think Princeton should be endorsing any radicalized views, but rather be a forum for open analysis," Ramos-Mrosovsky said.

"PCAT amounts to an effective U.S. contribution to bringing about peace with security in the Middle East, where most of the terrorism threat seems to be coming from," he said, adding that the group is displaying that "Princeton students stand together and will not undermine U.S. efforts."

Also eager to inform and equally impassioned is the Center for Jewish Life.

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"We meet the needs of the Jewish community on campus, educate people about the concerns of the Jewish community and serve as an umbrella organization for Jewish interests of all people," said Daniel Mark '03, president of the CJL.

A former resident of Israel, Mark added that the CJL's primary focus is to acquaint students with Israel — in part by helping to send them to Israel for the first time through the Hillel Foundation's Birthright Israel program — and to support Israel's self-sufficiency.

However, Mark said of the group's focus, "I think it has intensified [in light of the Middle East conflict], we're trying to have a forum for people to discuss informally and civilly because many people, to no fault of their own, are not accurately educated on issues of the Middle East."

Despite this perceived unawareness on campus, Mark said of the University, "It seems the University's role in the Middle East is to promote intellectual and civil debate, but at the same time not to be co-opted into uncivil and unintellectual things and be misled. The University's role is to foster debate and to stand up for the truth." Mark said he believes the University is sufficiently filling this role.

However, others cite particular needs or deficiencies that need to be addressed in the University's role in affairs relating to the Middle East.

"One of our primary goals is to urge Princeton to take steps to being a responsible investor and to be ethical," explained Vincent Lloyd '03, an organizer of the Princeton Divestment Campaign.

"Princeton needs to begin a process of self-examination and have it be a continuing process" that applies to wherever Princeton may invest overseas, whether it be Israel or elsewhere, Lloyd added.

Detailing the purpose of his group, Lloyd stated goals of ending "illegal Israeli occupation of the West Bank" and educating about "human rights abuses of international law" as the basis of why the group was formed.

Politics professor Joanne Gowa said in an email that, in terms of the University's role in the Middle East conflicts, faculty members potentially play an important role in shaping national policy.

"I don't think the University per se has a role in the Middle East conflict. Individual faculty members, however, are undoubtedly experts in the area and could be helpful to the extent that expertise would help U.S. policy makers broker a peace settlement," Gowa said.

Michael Doran, Assistant Professor of Near Eastern Studies, who has advised on current issues of the Middle East, said, "I think that the University's role is to contribute to the debate, to provide a wide spectrum of intelligent opinion for the benefit of the students and the public alike."

Doran added, however, that he does not believe that the University is fulfilling that role as "academic debate in the humanities and social sciences has become overly specialized and too far removed from the day-today concerns of average citizens."

This role of alternately providing an open forum for free speech and opinions, while refraining from engaging in controversy creates a line that the University tries to straddle. The current divestment controversy is the foremost example of the questioning of a role that has more influence than previously assumed. While many praise the freedom of expression on campus, views on the role of the University in the Middle East become more distinctly varied among campus organizations.

Towards this end, student groups like the Princeton Committee on Palestine organized continuous series of rallies, vigils, public speakers and film screenings this past spring that reflected a peak in tension in the Middle East, Awad said, adding, however, that the group is currently reevaluating its priorities.

"As far as I'm concerned, as far as Princeton University is concerned, it's not the role of professors or staff, but the responsibility of the students to be informed," Awad said.

"[University administrators] been bringing really good speakers. And they've been really supportive of free speech and our activities, such as our rallies."