As we look back at the events that took place this past summer in France, Belgium, the U.K., and elsewhere, it becomes painfully clear that there is an undeniable connection between anti-Israel sentiment and anti-Semitic attitudes and behavior. While there has been much written and discussed about the appropriateness of such a connection, the fact that this connection exists seems beyond dispute. And so it is particularly troubling to
discover that right now, at quiet, lazy, Cerritos College, some students are developing what may ultimately manifest as anti-Semitic attitudes due to the academically questionable behavior of a professor with a powerful anti-Israel agenda.
On September 30, Cerritos College's Global Consortium for Sustainable Peace, The History Club, and The Global Studies Club presented a panel discussion entitled, Israel & Hamas: Unanswered Questions and Deferred Dreams. Hosted and moderated by Cerritos College History Department Chair, Dr. John Haas, the panel included UCLA Professor Saree Makdisi, Rabbi Howard Laibson of Congregation Shir Chadash in Lakewood, and participating via Skype, Rabbi Michael Lerner of Beyt Tikkun Synagogue in Berkeley.
Curiously, the 2-sided flyer promoting this event only made mention of Professor Makdisi and Rabbi Lerner, both of whom were there to share their well-documented anti-Israel points of view. Rabbi Laibson was a last-minute addition to the panel, having received his invitation to participate less than 24 hours prior to the event.
[OPINION | Right In Our Backyard ]
It's Happening
Right In Our Backyard
(Left to right) Professor John Haas, Rabbi Howard Laibson, and Professor Saree Makdisi discuss the conflict between Israel and Hamas