A few weeks ago, I published a post on this site which quoted a reader's impressions of a climate of hatred of Israel at Aberystwyth university. Other readers from the university have now written to me to protest that this impression was unfounded. In the interests of fairness, I have amended the original post and reproduce below an abridged version of some of the alternative views which I have received.

'While I share concerns about uncritical representations of Israel in contemporary academia; I feel urged to tell you that I cannot share the author’s view about academic practices in the Department of International Politics at which I am a student. Furthermore, I deeply deplore the unfounded allegations and personal insults put forth in the letter.

'Having attended the same lecture series as the author I remember that the lecturer was very clear in highlighting that the purpose of the lecture on the Middle East conflict was to provide us with the Palestinian perspective which is necessary to understand Hamas’s worldview. At no moment, violence, terrorism or anti-Semitism was condoned. At no moment Hamas’s worldview was presented as the “truth”.

'I also wonder on what grounds our department can be seen to promote “lies, propaganda and the worst sort of prejudice”. My experience of this department is totally different. Being an international student myself, I felt welcomed from the very first day onwards. Our lectures have always made a very cosmopolitan impression on me, striving to instil critical and independent thought in us, highlighting values of cosmopolitanism, human rights and emancipation. At no single moment I could detect the promotion of anti-Semitic or other discriminatory opinions and beliefs.

'Having also attended the “Stop the Wall” evening, I need to inform you that at no moment there was any talk of a “solution to Zionist
oppression”. While I remember that someone in the audience did ask a critical question concerning the positive, security functions of the wall (which I found totally legitimate and relevant), it is incorrect to claim that this question was dismissed as “Zionist scum” on behalf of the organizers. A departmental lecturer attending the evening, even stressed the importance of acknowledging Israeli security needs.

'In particular, I am outraged by the description of the Guild
President-elect, who is a very close friend to mine. Having known her for three years, I feel strongly urged to inform you that I know only very few people who are more concerned about discrimination and exclusion than her. Nobody who knows her well could find the slightest ground of seeing her as a “racist, anti-Semitic individual”. Indeed, I am sure she would not hesitate a minute in condemning both racism and anti-Semitism in the highest terms. Furthermore, she is one of the most friendly, welcoming, caring, open-minded, cosmopolitan and out-reaching persons I know, a character trait reflected in her many friendships to students from all over the world.'

And this:

'AberAmnesty is certainly not anti-semitic nor is it racist in any way. We work for one thing, the promotion of Universal Human Rights. It is true that we have campaigned against the illegal wall in Palestinian Territories, we do not believe that it provides the Israeli populationwith security, in many parts it stops the Palestinian population from attending schools, fetching their water, working in their fields and it degrades their dignity. However to write, talk and campaign against these severe abuses of human rights is certainly not anti-semitic, indeed we are supported in our campaign by many Jewish people, in Israel and beyond. Our campaign which was focused on these issues alone and reflected human rights abuses on both sides of the conflict. We made special effort, because of the sensitive nature of the issue, to make sure that neither the Israeli nor the Palestinian human rights abusers got off lightly. We are concerned for the security and freedom of both nations and campaign for a resolution to the conflict through peaceful means that endows each with their human rights defined in International Law and International Custom. I cannot stress strongly enough how much we detest racist and inflamming language and assure you that neither Bec Corn nor any of our members denounced anyone as 'zionist scum'. Bec Corn campaigned for her presidency on issues of wider involvement with the guild, better student servies and intends to make Aber Guild a more cosmopolitan, understanding Guild where all sorts of cultures are catered for. It was a public forum and a large number of people were in attendance from both sides of the divide...

'The lecture with the Israeli diplomat took place earlier this year i know because I was in attendance and after he delived his speech there was an appropriate and helthy discussion on the future of the conflict, the wall and a two state solution. This lecture had little to do with the Department of Politics it was organised by the Global Politics Society a union society which organises debates and lectures on current affairs.'

Posted by melanie at May 12, 2005