Professor responds to Gaza panel

Joseph Edelheit, director of religious and Jewish studies, was escorted out of the Atwood Ballroom during a panel presentation called "Gaza 2009: So We May Not Forget" last Wednesday.

The panel consisted of human relations professors Fouzi Slisli and Tamrat Tademe.

During the event, Edelheit stood up and questioned the poster used to promote the event. The poster showed photographs of the current events happening in Gaza next to photographs of the Nazi Holocaust in Europe, an action Edelheit called "completely inappropriate" in an e-mail.

In response to his removal, Edelheit organized and presented "Gaza 2009: Another Opinion" last night.

To open his presentation, Edelheit explained his actions from the week prior.

"I did disrupt, quite willfully," Edelheit said to a full Cascade Room in Atwood Memorial Center. "I said, 'I am here to disrupt your program for the purpose of standing for the historical integrity of these photos.'"

Some who attended last week's Gaza panel also attended Edelheit's presentation, even calling Edelheit out on his actions last week.

"I was there last week and I can honestly say that the way you did it was not proper," said one student in front of the group.

SCSU student Amber Michel wrote in to the University Chronicle's opinions page in regards to Edelheit's actions last Wednesday, writing that Edelheit "halted the event in a most disrespectful way." Michel further wrote, "His angry and aggressive behavior set a poor example for students."

After he acknowledged his behavior, Edelheit explained what he wanted from the panel.

"I asked those leading the panel to please help me understand what these pictures had to do with this event," Edelheit said. "If there was a direct answer to my question I would have left - it would have taken less than three minutes."

During his presentation, Edelheit covered topics such as the origin of Hamas, the Hamas covenant and offered background of the Gaza conflict.

Edelheit emphasized that the Gaza conflict was an "incredibly complex issue" and he was not there to provide answers, but rather raise questions and add the complexity he thought was missing in the first panel without diminishing what is happening in Gaza.

Edelheit focused on what he called the "juxtaposition" of photographs; comparing past civil injustices in photographs to those associated with Gaza.

Peter Przytula, a professor is mass communications, offered a particular context to a photograph of the Warsaw ghetto used on the poster of Slisli and Tademe's presentation.

"This picture just doesn't belong," said Przytula, after briefing the audience on its historical context to its period in history.

Questions were raised as to why Edelheit has not organized or spoken on the same panel with Slisli and Tademe last Wednesday. Edelheit responded by saying he was refused and opportunity to be on the panel, but it has not been the first time Slisli and Tademe have denied him.

"I made a decision last Wednesday because these two professors have, for five years, ignored me and repudiated my presence on this campus," Edelheit said.

Having two separate presentations about the same topic negates the potential usefulness of a public forum, according to Edelheit.

"Separate discussions are fruitless," Edelheit said.

Attempts were made by Edelheit to invite Slisli and Tademe, but he received no answer.

"I sent messages and I made phone calls - I haven't see no answers," Edelheit said. "I think that's too bad."

Edelheit's presentation sparked debate between he and the audience, and even between respective members of the audience.

Edelheit gave his opinion on some of the issues with the Gaza conflict and issues in the Middle East that raised conflicting viewpoints that were vocalized by the audience.

The debate between those in the room allowed for Edelheit to again emphasize the complexity of the Gaza issue.

At the end of his presentation, Edelheit expressed his hope for a panel that could include multiple perspectives instead of the single viewpoints that were represented last Wednesday and during Edelheit's presentation.

"It is why I wanted one of the human relations professors to be here today," Edelheit said in regards to involving different ideologies.

Regardless of those who agreed or disagreed with Edelheit, he expressed his gratitude to those in attendance as his final words.

"I am very, very grateful you gave me a second chance," Edelheit said.