As school begins across the country, college campuses face the prospect of another year of anti-Israel protests, calls for divestment, and threats of violence to both Jewish students and faculty. The phrase “Here We Go Again” seems appropriate.
I personally went with a Jewish friend to the University of Michigan campus on the opening day of classes, August 26. We went to both document and see for ourselves what kind of threats and treatment Jewish students might face in the coming year. Thankfully, the campus was quiet as students went about their day without incident. We were surprised, but we wondered just how long it would take before the challenge and confrontation occurred. It did not take long, as two days later the center of campus, called the Diag, became overrun by pro-Palestinian sympathizers. One leader of the student groups on campus threatened to withhold funds from the numerous campus groups until the University of Michigan divests from Israel. Concerning the show of force at the Diag, Campus Police dispersed the crowds and made some arrests. “Here We Go Again!”
At Columbia University the campus group Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine organized a demonstration, while protestors threw red paint on the Alma Mater statue outside of the Low Memorial Library. Crews came to clean the statue. “Despite Changes Students Say They’re Still Being Harassed.” “Here We Go Again!”
A Brown University regent and “significant donor”, Mr. Joseph Edelman, sent his resignation from the board. He presents his view of the upcoming board vote and his reason for resigning in today’s Wall Street Journal Opinion page. He says, “As a member of the Brown University board of trustees, I disagree with the upcoming divestment vote on Israel. I am concerned about what Brown’s willingness to hold such a vote suggests about the university’s attitude toward rising anti-Semitism on campus and a growing political movement that seeks the destruction of the state of Israel.
I find it morally reprehensible that holding a divestment vote was even considered, much less that it will be held- especially in the wake of the deadliest assault on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. On October 7, 2023, Israel was invaded and brutally attacked by [6,000] Palestinian terrorists. Twelve hundred were slaughtered, some of them were raped and burned alive, and more than 250 hostages were abducted and taken to Gaza and held as hostages.” He summarizes his act, “Allowing a vote on divestment is an act of cowardice.”
His action changes the narrative. Finally, someone said, No! It will not be, “Here We Go Again!” As believers in Jesus Christ standing with Israel and opposing anti-Semitism is part of a fight we must engage in because the conflict will not end with the Jewish people. Next they will come for us, “First they come for the Saturday people, then they will come for the Sunday people.” The time has come for us to put shoe leather to our prayer for Israel (Psalm 122:6).
(Source: The Wall Street Journal)
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