Actions speak louder than words
Perspective
Nick Lieber
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: Opinions
After the Israeli military operation in Gaza, many organizations have been involved in getting aid to the people living there. Viva Palestina is a group which sends convoys to break the siege of Gaza and, in their opinion, they "are unwavering in [their] determination to provide medical and humanitarian aid to the people who immediately won [their] hearts with their kindness and strength."
Students for Justice in Palestine at UIC hosted two events for Viva Palestina last semester. The first event involved Viva Palestina alumni reporting back on what they saw and encouraging other students to take the trip (which our SJP president did over winter break). The other event was a fundraiser for Viva Palestina and was known as "Café Intifada." Clearly and undeniably, SJP is a supporter of Viva Palestina.
In response to a previous article I wrote for the Flame in which I accused SJP at UIC of being radical, anti-Semitic, and supportive of terrorism, Salwa Shameem had this to say: "Comparing social justice groups to 'terror organizations' and overtly stigmatizing them as anti-Semitic by linking them to distant, and unfounded claims of supporting 'radical' groups overseas is exactly how our media has created a culture of ignorant acceptance of media" (On the record: A failed media 1/18/2010). Shameem, it is unclear to me how much more founded these claims could get.
George Galloway, a British MP and the founder of Viva Palestina, has been banned from entering Canada on the grounds that he funds Hamas, a group classified as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, among others. A fundraising event with Galloway caused the Muslim Students Association at the University of California - Irvine to be investigated for funding Hamas.
Viva Palestina advertises itself as a group that brings humanitarian aid (specifically medical aid) to the people of Gaza. This is not exactly a difficult goal if you follow established procedure. Medical aid can be taken into Gaza by the Rafah crossing in Egypt. According to a fact sheet distributed by Egypt's State Information Service, the Foreign Ministry sent at least four messages to Galloway briefing him on Egyptian procedure for receiving aid to Gaza. They were all ignored.
Students for Justice in Palestine at UIC hosted two events for Viva Palestina last semester. The first event involved Viva Palestina alumni reporting back on what they saw and encouraging other students to take the trip (which our SJP president did over winter break). The other event was a fundraiser for Viva Palestina and was known as "Café Intifada." Clearly and undeniably, SJP is a supporter of Viva Palestina.
In response to a previous article I wrote for the Flame in which I accused SJP at UIC of being radical, anti-Semitic, and supportive of terrorism, Salwa Shameem had this to say: "Comparing social justice groups to 'terror organizations' and overtly stigmatizing them as anti-Semitic by linking them to distant, and unfounded claims of supporting 'radical' groups overseas is exactly how our media has created a culture of ignorant acceptance of media" (On the record: A failed media 1/18/2010). Shameem, it is unclear to me how much more founded these claims could get.
George Galloway, a British MP and the founder of Viva Palestina, has been banned from entering Canada on the grounds that he funds Hamas, a group classified as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, among others. A fundraising event with Galloway caused the Muslim Students Association at the University of California - Irvine to be investigated for funding Hamas.
Viva Palestina advertises itself as a group that brings humanitarian aid (specifically medical aid) to the people of Gaza. This is not exactly a difficult goal if you follow established procedure. Medical aid can be taken into Gaza by the Rafah crossing in Egypt. According to a fact sheet distributed by Egypt's State Information Service, the Foreign Ministry sent at least four messages to Galloway briefing him on Egyptian procedure for receiving aid to Gaza. They were all ignored.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 16
Skip Gainer
posted 2/07/10 @ 11:17 PM CST
Any and all things shipped into Gaza is taken by Hamas and given to the people of Gaza as Hamas sees fit to distribute to the people!
Jay stewart
posted 2/08/10 @ 5:34 AM CST
George Galloway is a legend in the u.k., if only you had a people like him in the U.S., well you have Obama, which is near to George as you can get. Zionism and the evil that it spreads should be wiped from the pages of history. (Continued…)
John Normanstein
posted 2/08/10 @ 11:26 AM CST
Theres always going to be 2 sides to any story especially if your Bias, im sure Nick Lieber works for Fox News on his weekends, because this is honestly comedic. (Continued…)
Shalom Achshav
posted 2/08/10 @ 10:01 PM CST
http://www.jstreet.org/
a different approach.
Jason Bernard
posted 2/08/10 @ 11:42 PM CST
SJP really has the Zionists shaking in their boots. Keep up the great work SJP! I haven't seen Zionists on the defensive this much. Truth really is a powerful weapon. (Continued…)
Murad
posted 2/09/10 @ 11:52 AM CST
I'm not the biggest fan of SJP, but to what level of insanity has this columnist descended into? I think your fascination with this group has turned to something of an obsession. (Continued…)
Somebody call the WAH-mbulance
posted 2/10/10 @ 9:49 PM CST
Cuz all I hear is WAAAAAAAAAAAH WAH WAH
-- T.C.
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