Contemplating, reflecting and opening discussions within the community—100 days after the Hamas attacks on Israel, a panel of professors gathered in the Josef Korbel School of International Studies on Jan. 17 to discuss the context and significance of the Israel-Hamas War.
Featured in the discussion were DU’s Director of the Center on Middle Eastern Studies Dr. Michelin Ishay, Korbel School Assistant Professor Dr. Ahmed Abdrabou, Ambassador Gary A. Grappo, CU Boulder Associate Professor of English Karim Mattar and DU Associate Professor of History and Judaic Studies Dr. Jonathan Sciarcon.
DU Chancellor Jeremy Haefner and Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies Fritz Mayer both made opening remarks, citing the importance of the discussion and recognition of the lives lost in Israel and Gaza. Both speakers upheld the need to highlight the importance of respectful civil discourse and the ability to share thoughts and ideas.
Dr. Ishay then gave a summary of the events afoot on Oct. 6, outlining the state of geopolitics in the Middle East region. In addition to mentioning conflicts in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere, Dr. Ishay also discussed domestic protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had been trying to disempower the justice system in Israel.
Dr. Ishay’s first question to the panelists centered around academic freedom on college campuses, asking what can be learned about free speech from the protests happening in universities across the country.
Dr. Sciarcon noted that the issue was not novel, stating issues of free speech regarding the Middle East have been present before Oct. 7. He defended the right for students and faculty to take strong stances, while maintaining that it was the institution’s duty to remain neutral.
“I think academic freedom of speech is essential on campuses,” Dr. Sciarcon said. “I think universities as an institution should remain neutral on political topics so they can allow their faculty and students to have a robust debate without feeling like they’re not allowed to share their views.”
Dr. Abdrabou discussed his concern about the Congressional hearings on antisemitism on college campuses, citing an example of the Harvard president only being allowed to respond with a yes or no answer. He was critical of what he saw as the weaponization of the anti-Semitic label by some politicians and scholars, which he did not believe should apply with criticism of President Netanyahu or the Israeli government.
Amb. Grappo discussed the historic relationship between the U.S. and Israel, arguing that this relationship has become stronger since 1948, when Israel was first recognized as a sovereign country.
Dr. Ishay asked how far back in history one needed to go to understand the current war in the region. Dr. Abdrabou, Dr. Sciarcon and Dr. Mattar agreed 1948 was a key date for understanding.
Dr. Mattar added that his father’s family had been exiled in 1948 during the creation of Israel, and argued the reason for the idea of a Jewish state was European antisemitism. Amb. Grappo argued for the importance of the ancient history of the region, but that U.S. involvement started in 1944, leading to increased Palestinian nationalism.
The panelists then discussed the possible motives of Hamas leading up to the Oct. 7 attacks. Dr. Mattar gave historical context about the 2007 Gaza blockade and the living conditions in Gaza.
