Leaders of Israeli, Palestinian student groups agree to disagree

Deema Dabis and Calli Schiller are classmates. They're both studying journalism at IU, and both women agree they have a good relationship with each other. Both consider themselves anti-war activists who would like to raise the awareness levels of human rights issues and peace movements.\nIt comes as no surprise the two get along, except for the fact Dabis is the president of Students for Justice in Palestine, and Schiller is the chair of the Indiana Israel Public Affairs Committee. Israelis and Palestinians have been at war for years, and that can lead to some hostile feelings between Jewish and Palestinian students on campus. \nRabbi Sue Laikin Shifron, executive director of the Helene Simon G. Hillel Center, acknowledges that the Students for Justice in Palestine group has a right to exist, even though she strongly disagrees with its viewpoints.\n"If people take a deep look at their arguments, they fall apart," she said.\nDabis agrees that the Israeli side deserves to be heard, but she noted her goal is to raise awareness of issues and human rights violations in Palestine.\nThe Students for Justice in Palestine group is small, with five to ten core members and a larger group of 20 to 30 people.\n"There has been a lot of misunderstanding," Dabis said. "Both sides have done terrible things to each other. Our whole point is to counter mainstream media." \nHillel's goals are broader, and the group is larger, with about 100 active participants. The center's goal is to break down anti-Semitism and promote diversity and tolerance, Shifron said.\n"It doesn't motivate our work," said Hillel Assistant Director Josh Stein of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. "We're not strictly political but cultural as well."\nIt is clear, however, the conflict matters.\n"Israel is a very important concept for Jewish people," Shifron said. "Historically, it is a place where Jews have yearned to be."\nShifron also cited differences between the countries' ideologies as a point of contention.\n"A lot of what is being taught in Palestinian authority is not only anti-Israeli but anti-Jewish," she said. This subject hits close to home for some students. \nAt a Feb. 17 presentation sponsored by the Students for Justice in Palestine called "Palestine is Hell," Dabis said an audience member shouted, "You're lying." \nDespite these hostile feelings, both groups try to channel emotions in a positive manner.\n"There are a lot of passions that flow on campus," Stein said.\nHe sees the benefit of having such diverse groups on campus as an advantage to students, he said.\n"It's an opportunity to hear different sides and make up their minds," he said.\nShifron said IU deserves credit for promoting an atmosphere that is conducive to diversity and education.\nIndividual groups have also worked to provide opportunities for students to learn diverse viewpoints.\nDabis said the Students for Justice in Palestine are hosting speaker Allison Weir in April, a journalist who will speak on the ill-treatment of Palestinian soldiers by Israelis. The group is also organizing a concert and a teach-in, she said.\nHillel has been reaching out by holding events with other student groups, such as the Muslim Student Union. \n"It's more about getting to know people on a personal basis," said Debra Powers, student president of Hillel.\nAttempts are being made to see eye to eye. Dabis and Shiller both hope to jointly sponsor an event that focuses on peace instead of conflict, but no plans have been made.\n"Just because they're fighting over there doesn't mean we have to fight here," Dabis said.