Opinion
UJS's "radical, progressive" campaign? Sensible, or a cause for concern?
September 16, 2011 14:321 min read
The Union of Jewish Students announced plans this week to launch a "radical, progressive" campaign, encouraging students to speak up for the rights and "liberation" of both Israelis and Palestinians.
It includes proposals to ask Jewish students arriving at universities in the coming weeks to support "two states for two peoples" and hand out Israeli and Palestinian flags.
The campaign has already led to online debate between students over how they want to be represented by UJS and what effect the proposals could have.
One Birmingham student commented this afternoon that the plan could boil down to students being told: “Welcome to Jsoc - here's your Palestinian flag.”
Another said: “I'm all for a two-state solution but asking me to wave a Palestinian flag is a bit much. I wouldn't expect a Palestinian to wave an Israeli flag either. It's an absurd idea, even if it is just a publicity stunt.”
Others believe the plans are a realistic approach for UJS to take given current events. “If you really support a two-state solution then I suggest you get over whatever weird effect the Palestinian flag has on you, because like it or not, it's going to be their national flag," commented one former UJS worker.
The debate is likely to continue – and no doubt grow in its intensity when students return to their campuses for Freshers’ Week.
So what do you think? Are UJS right to take this “bold approach”? Is quiet concern within the Jewish community well-placed? Leave your comments below.
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