To the Editor:
You know there's a problem when a reader can't get through a news article without her stomach twisting into knots, as happened to me as I read "Israeli Professor Promotes Empathy" (The Hoya, Nov. 9, 2004, A1).
Good for Ms. Sharoni for framing her politics in the language of empathy - we know how well that can distort issues here at home - but shame on her for turning a blind eye toward the more primary concern in the Israel-Palestinian dispute: the immoral and inexcusable acts of violence and hatred by Palestinians against Israelis.
It's nice to have empathy for refugees. It's another thing entirely to apologize for terrorism and to overlook the masses of Israelis who have been murdered in shopping malls and on public transit by Palestinian suicide bombers.
"No human being on earth should be in a refugee camp," Sharoni says? Sounds great. Stop killing Israelis and they'll work on it.
Home demolishing is inhumane? When the lives of Israeli civilians, young and old, hang in the balance, a building ought never to win out. Stop threatening the safety of Israeli lives and the Israeli army will stop interrupting the peace and quiet of your neighborhood. Sharoni apologizes for Palestinian terrorists, excusing their behavior as desperate acts of a much beleaguered people, but she doesn't frown on the culture that created the desperation. Her own culture, of course, she denies to her young child.
Why excuse the actions of murderers and terrorists because they grew up surrounded by intolerance while at the same time decrying the actions of a legitimate state acting in self-defense?
Sharoni is certainly entitled to her opinions, and Students for Justice in Palestine should be proud to have attracted such a prominent speaker. But, shame on the Program for Peace and Justice (and therefore on Georgetown University) for sponsoring a speaker who spouts such monstrosities.
In the future, I hope to see the program live up to its name by sponsoring activists for peace and justice instead of apologists for terror.
Arielle Holland (COL `07) Nov. 11, 2004
To the Editor:
Where is the peace and where is the justice?
Sharona Sharoni's visit to campus (\"Israeli Professor Promotes Empathy," The Hoya, Nov. 9, 2004, A6) accomplished two goals: Support the continuation of suicide bombing as a means of "compassionate resistance" and condemn the Jewish people.
Since when is blowing up oneself to kill other innocent human beings considered compassionate?
I find it hypocritical that the Program for Peace and Justice sponsored a speaker who openly supported terrorism and hate.
Is Sharoni blind to the deaths of Israelis at the hands of suicide bombers? Are Israelis not considered human beings?
Terrorism is an outright and absolute evil and anyone who supports such a crime is morally repugnant and a detractor to peace.
Her remark that Jewish culture "has been problematic" confirms her hatred of Jewish people.
How does keeping her child from learning Hebrew build bridges for understanding? It's evident that Sharoni, in her lecture, was not advocating peace and understanding but rather the death of Israelis and a continued hatred toward Jews.
If we truly want to accomplish peace, we need strong leaders to condemn suicide bombing. We need to look to Palestinian society and the egregious crimes against humanity committed by the PA.
To talk of change, let's talk of changing the Palestinian educational system, one that currently teaches children to hate Jews.
Israel has been ready to make peace. Unfortunately, there is no partner for peace. Hopefully the death of Arafat can bring change to Palestinian society and greater prospects for a solution to the conflict.
Matt Singer (SFS '07)
President, Georgeotwn Israel Alliance Nov. 10, 2004
is a member of the 
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