“I would rescue American foreign policy from special interest groups … [pause for effect] … like AIPAC.”

Well, isn’t that democratic of Dr. Hanan Ashrawi?  This moderate Palestinian legislator and so-called advocate of peace was visiting Cornell this week and speaking on “Peace in the Middle East:  Who Needs It?”  It’s good to know that we have individuals around the world believing in the right of citizens to organize themselves and lobby their governments.  (sarcasm /off)

Dr. Ashrawi spoke/ranted/whined for about an hour about the apartheid state of Israel and the horrific, against-international-law occupation of the poor, innocent, freedom-loving Palestinians.

Honestly, the best part was the Q&A session at the end.  Once I got past the groan-factor of snooty Cornell students and professors brown-nosing a Palestinian legislator (“Thaaaaank you, Dr. Ashrawi, for coming to Cornell.  This is such an honor…”), it was actually rather entertaining.

One of my favorite questions came early.  A student asked Ashrawi to clarify her comments about calling for an international boycott of Israel.  When national governments fail, asked this student, like the USA for instance, would Dr. Ashrawi advocate non-governmental organizations and institutions of higher education taking up the banner and boycotting Israel?  Part 2 of the question was directed to President Skorton.  Would President Skorton be willing to lead up an effort to get Cornell to divest from Israel?  Haha, let me just say it was a beautiful moment.

Of course, responded Ashrawi, Palestinians are grateful when individuals and organizations, like the British academia, boycott Israel on their own.  President Skorton, on the other hand, stammered over himself explaining how he doesn’t generally believe that institutions of higher learning should be used for political purposes.  Only twice in his professional career has he advocated divestment in reaction to a political / human rights situation:  South Africa and Darfur.  So, he does believe there is legitimacy in that method, but does not support the application in this particular case.  I was in love.  Right after Ashrawi rambled on about the importance of action by institutions like Cornell, Skorton basically says “in your dreams.”

Another winning question concerned her claim that the security wall built by Israel inhibits the peace process.  A student read to her the statistics of terrorist attacks before the wall and after the wall, essentially proving that Israel has protected its citizens with the construction of the wall.  Her response:  “Well, that seems like selective reporting.  After all, Hamas said last year that they no longer support suicide bombings.  It was their decision.”  Oh, yeah.  That big wall in their way probably had nothing to do with it.

All jokes aside, it frustrates me what views are presented as honorable and legitimate, all in the name of higher education.  Universities like Cornell bring in an individual from a people that terrorizes Israel night and day and wishes for its destruction.  Even if Ashrawi is a voice of moderation among Palestinians, she makes excuses for terrorists and wishes for the downfall of America’s greatest ally.  Columbia actually brings an authoritarian dictator who advocates for the destruction of not just Israel, but also the United States.  And we’re told, what a great intellectual opportunity!