Harvard Jews Feigning Progressivism

Here is an item that recently appeared on Phil Weiss's blog. It discusses a get together that will take place tomorrow (Monday, Nov. 24th).

Harvard Progressive Jews Invite Muslims to Talk About Bedouin Politics in Israel

Pete Seeger says that political change happens in the capillaries. That's where all the movement goes on. And I like to say that our kids will lead us. They're smarter than we are. (And that Americans must lead the Middle East, we understand minority rights.) Here's an email a friend sent me that was sent out to the Harvard Islamic Society from the Harvard Progressive Jewish Alliance. The world is changing under our feet...

To: Harvard Islamic Society
Subject: Fattoush and Bedouin Politics 

The Harvard College Progressive Jewish Alliance would like to extend a special invitation to our friends at the Harvard Islamic Society to join us for a Bedouin theme-dinner at Harvard Hillel next Monday, 11/24 from 5-7 pm exploring Bedouin culture and politics. 

Dana Lazarus '09, who worked last summer with Bustan (an Israeli NGO that works for fair resource allocation and environmental and social justice for all peoples in the Negev) will be there to share her experiences and the Progressive Jewish Alliance will be presenting information about current Bedouin political issues in Israel .

As always, dinner is free to undergrads and we will have a delicious kosher Bedouin-inspired menu specially prepared by the Hillel's Chef Brian.

Maybe they will even talk about Palestinian Arabs generally, and the right of return?

Here is my comment.

I remember these meetings with Bedouins when I was an undergraduate at Harvard (when Phil was too), and at least in some cases the Harvard Islamic Society was invited. (Why wasn't Harvard Society of Arab Students included in this invitation?)

This sort of gathering provides a way for Jewish students to convince themselves they are progressive as the Israeli government spins the standard Zionist divide-and-conquer approach to the native Palestinian Arab population.

Jewish groups really do not have the right to claim to act for social justice unless they take an unequivocal stand for the repatriation of the native Palestinian Arab population and for the return of properties to their rightful owners.

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