TITLE: Pro-Palestinian Activists Demand UC Divestment

AUTHOR: Zach Rosenberg

PUB:

DATE: March 8, 2001

Fenced inside a symbolic refugee camp outside of Dwinelle Hall, pro-Palestine demonstrators demanded the UC divest from Israel yesterday. Approximately 80 students and community supporters sat inside the construction, which they said was to raise awareness about the state of Palestinian refugees in occupied territories in Israel and in surrounding countries. Will Youmans, a student at Boalt Hall School of Law, said the demonstrators were there, in solidarity with the millions of refugees, to combat what they said was the problem of the UC's financial investments in Israel. "I will do this for as long as it takes to end Israeli occupation and get the UC system to divest from Israel," said Hooma Multani, one of the students fenced in the construction. "I feel this is a minute thing that we can do as students and American citizens, and I regret we can't do more." The Palestinian refugee supporters petitioned the UC to end its investments in companies such as General Electric and Hewlett Packard, which protesters said have "sizable operations in Israel." Activists initiated the divestment campaign by demonstrating human rights violations committed against Palestinians and demanding that the UC regents put the item on their meeting's agenda, Youmans said. Led by the Students for Justice in Palestine, a coalition of students from such groups as the Middle East Children's Alliance, Jews for Justice and Women in Black, the demonstrators enacted the displacement of refugees while urging many of those passing by to rally with them. Israel supporters were present at the rally as wellsome wrapped in Israeli flags. Mark Rosenberg, a junior and member of the Israeli Action Committee, said the condition of Palestinian refugees is one of the "greatest tragedies of the century," but called attention to the peace process. "Arab governments exploit (the refugees') conditions for political gain," Rosenberg said. "I advocate a Palestinian statea main solution to the refugee crisis. But peace negotiations have fallen through. It's not as simple as 'It's all Israel's fault.'" Pro-Palestine demonstrators, however, said Israel is an apartheid state that denies the right of refugees to return to their homes and hinders the creation of a Palestinian state. "(Israel's) policies undermine the viability of a Palestinian state, such as bypassing roads that cut the territory into pieces and settlements that dot Palestinian territory," Youmans said. "Taking my money to subsidize something I see as criminal compels me to speak out against it." Oren Lazar, a junior majoring in political science and co-chair of the Israeli Action Committee, said students need to be accurately informed on the issue. "Israel has tried to come up with solutions with evidence in its willingness to make peace and give land for peace," he said. "I hope that students will learn more about the situation, but (the demonstrators') denial of historical facts is offensive." Students passing by said a division between Palestinian advocates and supporters of Israel was evident. "What we have here is an in-group and an out-group, both soliciting support, and there is no space to have a third opinion," said Joe Harrison, a junior peace and conflicts studies major. "Where is there a space for me to say something that is in disagreement with both these parties?" As the event ended, however, students said they saw a dialogue open between opponents. "The fact that both groups are out here talking gives a more colorful picture and a more accurate depiction of Israel," said freshman David Chasin. Send letters to the editor to . This article. Please follow the ensuing debate at the opinion section of the website. The Global Network of Arab Activists (GNAA) is a democratic forum for all activists who strive to promote Arab culture and advance the civil and human rights of all Arab peoples. Unless indicated otherwise, all statements published on this forum represent the views of their authors and not necessarily those of GNAA. To subscribe to GNAA, send a blank message to GNAA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. END top