Taking an anti-Israeli stance or being critical of Israel does not equate with being anti-Semitic. The United States informs the world that they are not anti-Muslim when they speak out against Arab regimes. Should we call anyone who speaks critically of U.S. polices anti-American? Yet, here when speakers at events speak out against Israel's policies David Cherner and Brenda Yaskal perceive it as being anti-Semitic.

If as third-year law students you want to make blanket statements about Arab Heritage programming please provide substantial evidence from the lectures cited. Cherner and Yaskal's Viewpoint is an attempt to pressure the university to not allow a viewpoint different from their own to be told to its students. As Marquette students we are instilled with the knowledge and power to ensure that the truth is not censored. Therefore I would like to thank our university for providing both sides of the argument on campus.

I would also like to restore integrity to the speakers you cited by properly describing them. Julie Enslow's talk dealt with how she worked with the Olive Harvest Program. Enslow was a volunteer who helped Palestinians harvest their olive crops. She referred in her talk to the difficulties she encountered along with Palestinians in attempts to harvest their olives for the year, due to the intensified Israeli occupation. Dr. Norman Finklestein is a Jewish scholar, writer and professor at DePaul University. He is the son of two Holocaust survivors. Finkelstein points out that some Jews use the holocaust and anti-Semitism to shield the state of Israel from criticism, as was seen by the Viewpoint, "Sponsorship of speakers is unacceptable."

Part of Marquette's mission is dedicated to "the search for truth, the discovery and sharing of knowledge." Events hosted by the Arab Student Association aim to educate the student body and greater Marquette community by breaking down stereotypes and exposing the truth. "Marquette seeks to become a more diverse and inclusive academic community dedicated to the promotion of justice," which it does through the sponsorship of the speakers mentioned.

The university is not marginalizing Jewish students because it has endorsed both-sides of the argument. Last April there was a Soup with Substance given by Daniel Levy, director of policy planning and international efforts at the Geneva Campaign Headquarters in Tel Aviv, and Rafi Dajani, executive director of the American Task Force on Palestine. There was also Dennis Ross, who taught a course on International Politics of the Middle East. Our university has made immense efforts in providing a balanced and open discussion regarding Middle East politics.