Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not a black-and-white issue. While all students should be able to express different opinions on such matter, OU administration should also strive to ensure safe and comfortable environment regardless of political affiliation or religion.
Dear Ohio University Administration,
Jewish values drive us to care about and empathize with the Palestinian people along with our own people, the people of Israel. Our values teach us to support peace and work toward a solution to the conflict that has torn Israelis and Palestinians apart for a century. We support direct negotiations with the goal of a Jewish and democratic homeland and a future Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security.
The Boycott Divest and Sanction Movement unfairly singles out and targets the Jewish State of Israel for isolation and falsely paints the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a black-and-white issue while ignoring the true complexity and nuance of the situation. We encourage the embrace of nuance and believe the Ohio University community can be both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian.
Hillel appreciates and values student-driven dialogue on difficult issues. We believe that students should convene meetings and programs to further explore the complicated emotions and beliefs surrounding the current conflict in Israel and Gaza. Hillel is available to provide resources, space and energy towards productive dialogue.
Megan Marzec, the current Student Senate president, recently published a video expressing that the student body supports BDS. Her video, while claiming to represent the student body, alienates the large community of pro-Israel students and alumni and has the potential to incite hostility against the Jewish community at OU. As current and past students of OU, it is our expectation that the administration will take action to ensure a safe, comfortable climate for all students regardless of political affiliation or religion.
Sincerely,
Matt Soble, Matt Newman, Becky Sebo and Jarrad Gold
Matt Soble is a 2013 graduate of OU and the past vice president of Alpha Epsilon Pi. Matt Newman is a 2013 graduate of OU, the past president of Alpha Epsilon Pi and the Jewish Student Life Coordinator at Cleveland Hillel. Becky Sebo is a senior at OU, the president of Bobcats for Israel and a fellow for Israel on Campus Coalition at OU. Jarrad Gold is a senior and the president of Alpha Epsilon Pi.
