A Harvard student shares his experience of feeling isolated and targeted as a Jew on campus. He describes a protest where students were chanting for an intifada, which he found particularly distressing on Holocaust Remembrance Day. Despite efforts to engage with protestors and find common ground, he encountered hostility and false accusations. The student reflects on the hypocrisy of anti-Zionist groups claiming not to be anti-Semitic, while spreading misinformation and targeting Jewish students.
The student recalls instances where Jewish students faced backlash for their beliefs, such as being shamed for wearing a Star of David necklace or facing complaints for hosting kosher dinners and religious study sessions. He highlights the irony of pro-Palestine groups claiming ties to Jews while erasing Israel’s significance in Jewish faith and practice. The student expresses concern over the manipulation of Jewish identity to fit a narrative that denies the connection between Zionism and Judaism.
The student points out the one-sidedness of the Harvard “Liberated Zone” encampment’s manifesto, which calls for the complete dissolution of Israel, including areas historically inhabited by Jews. He argues that the push for a single Palestinian state from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea does not promote peace or security for either Israelis or Palestinians. Instead, he advocates for a two-state solution that would allow both Israel and Palestine to coexist peacefully.
The student emphasizes the importance of separating political disagreements from personal attacks and misinformation. He criticizes the demonization of Zionists as violent oppressors and calls for a more nuanced and compassionate approach to resolving the conflict in the Middle East. Despite feeling isolated and marginalized as a Jew at Harvard, the student remains committed to dialogue and understanding in the pursuit of common ground and mutual respect.
