I spent this past week in a state of existence that I like to call "enjoyable discomfort." I attended several events hosted by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) as a part of their Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) programming. I thought, I struggled and I questioned. I heard plenty of things I disagreed with, but I also heard one point that I strongly believe to be true.
As a member of J Street U, a national student group that advocates for the two-state solution, I agree that the status quo between Israel and the Palestinian people is unsustainable. It isn't good for Israel and it certainly isn't good for the Palestinians. In the West Bank millions of Palestinians living under Israeli military control are subjected to a different legal code than the Israeli settlers among them. Gazans have elected their own government, Hamas, whose violent forms of resistance make conditions in Gaza even worse. Meanwhile, in the eyes of the international community, Israel has transformed from the underdog of the Arab-Israeli wars to the oppressor of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Although I agree that we must strive for change, I disagree with members of SJP in how to affect that change and what that change should look like. I heard many speakers this week claim that Zionism is racist. Modern Zionism was born as a movement to liberate the Jewish people through self-determination, not as a colonial enterprise seeking to rule another people. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a struggle between two national movements and like almost every example of nationalism in modern history, both Zionism and Palestinian nationalism have ethnic components. Zionism is no more racist than any other form of ethno-nationalism.
I full-heartedly support the call for a critical love ethic with regards to this conflict. But how can we encourage this ethic? How can we help create an environment where Israelis and Palestinians value justice and freedom over land and power?
I am not satisfied with the answer of wishing away nationalism, a force that not only frames this conflict but underscores the entire international system. Even Professor Eve Spangler, a speaker at one of SJP's events last week, admitted that the competing national identities of Israelis and Palestinians aren't likely to subside anytime soon. In fact, as this conflict has continued, each side has become more nationalistic. Wars, atrocities and physical separation prevent Israelis and Palestinians from recognizing each other's humanity. Pretending that these two populations could reconstruct their identities and suddenly live together as one nation is as fanciful as it is dangerous.
Instead of ignoring nationalism, we need to address it. J Street U believes that when both populations have their own state, Israelis and Palestinians will finally begin to see beyond the politics that divide them and toward the humanity that unites them. Creating two states for two peoples will be the first step in a long process of acknowledgement, reflection, and reconciliation.
More than once last week, I heard discussions about America's involvement in the conflict. Indeed, the United States sends billions of dollars in aid every year to Israel as its strategic ally. Seeing this as morally problematic, SJP advocates ending U.S. support of Israel. Instead, the United States should use its influence to create political realities that improve conditions for Israelis and Palestinians. In my opinion and in the opinion of J Street U, we should advocate for a nuanced US policy toward the conflict, rather than removing ourselves and our country from the issue altogether. For progress to be made, American leadership will be crucial.
Next month, President Obama will visit Israel and the Palestinian territories. He will be greeted in Israel by a newly elected government that is significantly more moderate than in years past. In Ramallah, President Obama will meet Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian National Authority, who has called for a negotiated agreement resulting in two states for two peoples. If there has ever been a time to stand up and demand that Israelis and Palestinians be granted the safety, dignity and self-determination that all peoples deserve, now is that time.
Two weeks ago, a coalition of pro-Israel groups on campus launched a campaign entitled "Tufts Students for Two States" to do just that. I am proud that Tufts's pro-Israel community affirmed its support for the two-state solution. I recognize, however, that words alone are insufficient.
That is why J Street U advocates for the United States government to prioritize the two state solution. We call on the pro-Israel community and all communities on our campus to join us in this effort.
Tonight J Street U will be hosting an event entitled "Obama, Israel and Palestine: The Next Four Years" featuring Laura Friedman of Americans for Peace Now and Hussein Ibish of American Task Force on Palestine in Pearson 106 at 8 p.m.
On behalf of J Street U, I invite you to join us for this important discussion.
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Jeremy Zelinger is a senior majoring in international relations. He is also a J Street U leadership member. He can be reached at Jeremy.Zelinger@tufts.edu.
