In their Viewpoint, "Sponsorship of speakers is unacceptable," in the March 21 Tribune, David Cherner and Brenda Yaskal contended that some of the speakers invited on campus by the Arab and Muslim Student associations are anti-Semites. They also argue that by allowing these speakers on campus, Marquette University is endorsing anti-Semitic views and therefore marginalizing Jewish students.
Unfortunately, this is the sort of call for censorship that is becoming too common on American campuses. What's at issue is criticism of Israel and its policies. By labeling virtually any criticism of Israel as anti-Semitic, Israel's apologists hope (and often succeed) in squashing any legitimate discussion of Israel's illegal occupation of Arab land and its dismal human rights record.
The proponents of this position are indiscriminate in vilifying Israel's critics, regardless of their persuasion, background and motives. This is true even if the critics are respected scholars and serious academics, reputable human rights organizations and even Jews. A special label is reserved for that last group: self-hating Jews.
It so happens that one of those "self-hating" Jews, Norman Finkelstein, whom the ASA invited to speak and whom Cherner and Yaskal so nonchalantly accused of anti-Semitism, is the son of Maryla Husyt Finkelstein and Zacharias Finkelstein, both survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto, Maidanek and Auschwitz concentration camps, respectively. One can see how such shameless exploitation of anti-Semitism does a great disservice for the fight against real anti-Semitism.
Ironically, Professor Finkelstein is an authority on this issue. In his book, "Beyond Chutzpah: On the Misuse of Anti-Semitism and the Abuse of History," Finkelstein argues that ending the Israeli occupation would go much farther in depriving "…those real anti-Semites exploiting Israeli policy as a pretext to demonize Jews … of a dangerous weapon as well as expose their real agenda. And the more vocally Jews dissent from Israel's occupation, the fewer will be those non-Jews who mistake Israel's criminal policies… for the popular Jewish mood." Cherner and Yaskal, and those who are interested in this debate, would do very well to read this important, irreproachable, meticulously researched work.
As for the marginalization of Marquette's Jewish students, that fear is simply unfounded. Marquette University has allowed several pro-Israeli speakers (and faculty members) to voice their position openly without censorship of any kind. In fact, a prominent proponent of Israel, Dennis Ross, was hired as a visiting scholar at an unusually high cost to the university.
By allowing Arab-American students to invite speakers of their choice, Marquette did not endorse anti-Semitism. Rather, it has encouraged the airing of seldom heard but legitimate views. It would be a shame if the university caves under pressure and starts censoring voices that are disturbing to some. Truth can be disturbing.
Legitimate criticism of Israel in the mainstream media, public and official discourse is rare. An honest exchange on this issue can include, and in fact necessitate, legitimate criticism of Israel's occupation and human rights record. We welcome a serious debate and open exchange on this issue, but we will not accept the silencing of our voices. After all, where else can an honest exchange of views take place but on academic grounds where the "search for truth, the discovery and sharing of knowledge" are paramount?