Rutgers University Pro-Palestinian Forum Draws Political Fire

CNSNews.com ^ | 7/14/03 | Jeff McKay

[kattracks]

(CNSNews.com) - A planned pro-Palestine student conference scheduled to be held at Rutgers University in October is drawing sharp criticism from pro-Israel groups and now has state political leaders, including New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey and the state's highest ranking Republican, entering the fray.

The National Student Conference of the Palestine Solidarity Movement is expected to attract hundreds of student activists and nationwide supporters of an independent Palestinian state.

Among the events scheduled for October include workshops on how students can pressure their schools to stop investing in companies that do business with Israel, along with rallies to support the formation of an independent Palestinian state.

Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey, has been flooded with hundreds of letters and phone calls urging the cancellation of the National Student Conference of the Palestine Solidarity Movement.

The group's leader makes clear their position on whether Israel has the right to exist.

"The Pro-Palestinian Forum stands for justice, peace, and equality for all peoples. Israel is an apartheid, colonial settler state. We're opposed to the racism and apartheid in Israel, and we believe no state has the right to be a racist state," said Charlotte Kates, organizer of the Rutgers chapter of New Jersey Solidarity and a student at the Rutgers Law School based in Newark.

New Jersey Senate GOP leader John Bennett (R-Monmouth) sent a letter to Gov. McGreevey calling the National Student Conference of the Palestine Solidarity Movement "abominable" and asking the governor to demand Rutgers not allow the event to proceed on campus.

"I am strongly opposed to our taxpayer dollars being used to help spread their message of hate and intolerance," Bennett wrote in his letter to McGreevey.

New Jersey Solidarity has about 25 active members on the Rutgers' campus and is one of a few hundred groups that is state university-funded by mandatory fees students pay along with their tuition.

On Wednesday, McGreevey's spokesman Micah Rasmussen announced the governor will meet with Rutgers President Richard McCormick to discuss the event and its pending ramifications.

"The governor is concerned whether this is going to be a balanced forum or a pre-scripted anti-Israeli rally," said Rasmussen.

"This has become an issue of free speech. Rutgers sees it as a free speech issue. It is completely inappropriate for [Bennett] to dictate what student organizations can and cannot do at this university. What they [politicians] are trying to do is attack a student political group that some see as controversial," said Kates.

According to the New Jersey Solidarity website, among the aims of the weekend-long conference is to "celebrate Palestinian resistance and work to build our own voices of resistance; we will strategize for divestment from Israeli apartheid."

The website adds that they will accept any organization "that stand for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, the right of return for Palestinian refugees to their homes and homeland, and full equality under law and the abolition of Israeli apartheid" to be a part of their October event.

At least one Jewish student group on campus plans to protest during the October event.

Kates said her group calls for the end of US aid and support for Israel, but takes no position on what the group calls "Palestinian resistance," including terrorism or the use of homicide bombers.

In January, the group launched their "Rutgers University Campaign for Divestment from Israeli Apartheid" which included a "die in" by the 50 people in attendance.

When contacted, a spokesman at Rutgers said the University had no comment at this time.

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[wideawake]

Rutgers combines a large number of Communist faculty with a sizeable contingent of spoiled rich kids in one of the most Arabic regions (north-central NJ) in America.

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[chachacha]

And yet another United States (Al-Queda) educational institution that leads the way to terror supporting studies and professors.

Where are the parents who send their children off to these colleges who preach and support this twisterd version of free speach? If I was paying the college bill the ignorant, spoiled, rugrat would be home picking tomatoes for a living.

[Napoleon Solo]

"In January, the group launched their "Rutgers University Campaign for Divestment from Israeli Apartheid" which included a "die in" by the 50 people in attendance."


Too bad it was only mock street theater. Fifty less leeches here, 50 less there, before you know it there would be no need for this terrorism gathering.

btw...Charlotte, where did your family come from to settle in this colonial, repressive, country????

[Tamzee]

It's repulsive that all students are forced to fund hate-Jewish speech out of required college fees... that is NOT free speech as the individuals are given no say in whether they wish to sponsor a group like that. Funding any group or union with a political agenda should ALWAYS be voluntary.

--

"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical." --Thomas Jefferson: Statute of Religious Freedom, 1779

[thoughtomator]

"we believe no state has the right to be a racist state"

Tell it to the Supreme Court!

[Coleus]

`

[Calpernia]

Ever read their online newspaper?

http://www.njserves.rutgers.edu/news/show_story.asp?sectionid=1&StoryID=2768

Notice the artlice sources and notice the sponsors at top.

[Coleus]

Thanks, you're fast.

did you know that all ex-NJ Governors are on the board of directors at prudential making a salary or advisor fee? Now one doesn't have to wonder why NJ won't allow certain insurance products in the state. Their future employer may not like it.

[firewalk]

Thanks for the ping

[firebrand]

We should protest this. I have a niece and a nephew at Rutgers, and now they're both going to be teachers! Ack!

[Calpernia]

Can't protest this in a traditional means. These organizations are a lot more rooted and funded than a get together. Look here alone: http://www.nowarnj.org/resources.htm

Then look back to Coleus' post about former governors/BODs with companies that throw money at institutions like Rutgers. Rutgers isn't the only recipient of donations either. AND these donations are tax writes offs.

The only way this can be effectively fought is with a well funded grassroots movement.

Unfortunately all the conservatives seem to run in all their own groups rather than using an umbrella system like Al Qaeda does.

This is our weakness

[firebrand]

At least one Jewish student group on campus plans to protest during the October event.

They can do it, we can do it.

[Calpernia]

Ok. We have a date then.

[VOA]

I Am surprised that writer didn't do much digging; Cates LIED about the group she represents.
On their website, they SUPPORT ALL RESISTANCE IN WHATEVER FORMS TAKEN, AND DO NOT
DISASSOCIATE THEMSELVES FROM BOMBERS.


"Why I'm shocked, shocked I tell you, to think that a supporter of Palestinian/Islamic
causes would tell a lie in order to make their movement more acceptable to
mainstream America!"

I'm suprised the Islamics/Palestinians/"Kill The Jews and Christians" Lobby
hasn't adopted Claude Raines as their patron saint.

[Calpernia]

>>>At least one Jewish student group on campus plans to protest during the October event.

http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/newscontent.php3?artid=8207

	Click Here to Print (07/11/2003) Rutgers To Host Anti-Israel Conference Adam Dickter A student group at Rutgers University is planning a pro-Palestinian event on campus in October, expected to draw 500 anti-Israel activists from across the nation. The New Jersey Solidarity Movement will host the National Student Conference of the Palestine Solidarity Movement, with the intention of teaching students to pressure their universities to divest in companies that do business with Israel. An organizer of the event, Charlotte Kates, told The New York Post she considered Palestinian bombings “a very powerful tool of justice.” Shai Goldstein, director of New Jersey’s Anti-Defamation League, said the Solidarity Movement has been active on the New Brunswick campus. He said the group, which receives funding from the school, recently organized protests against a visiting Israeli lecturer who was discussing Franz Kafka. He added that the annual conference has typically included extreme rhetoric against Jews and Israel. “This is a conference by groups that seek to support and legitimize the acts of Hamas and other terror groups,” said Goldstein. Here is a list of other articles in this section Businessman Reportedly Alive But Ailing Catskills Accident Claims 3 From Crown Heights Family Committee Formed On Fate Of Falash Mura Israeli Forces Rescue Kidnapped Cabbie Israeli Guides Sue For Lost Earnings Not So Wild About Harry PETA Ad Likens Meat Industry To Shoah Prager Back In The Apple Seized Weapons Ship Sold For Scrap Metal Summering In South America
© 2000 - 2002 The Jewish Week, Inc. All rights reserved. Please refer to the legal notice for other important information.

[Coleus]

If I can figure out how to get back in time for sundown, I'll be there. With bells, boots on...

Ready to kick some A$$