IAW rekindles conflicting views on peace in the Middle East

Antonella Cangelosi
Staff writer
Events for Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) are being held across York University campus March 7 to 20, and are leaving more than just a few students and student organizations concerned.
As part of the IAW series, Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA) have planned radio programming, open discussions, guest speakers and film screenings in what they explain is an attempt to educate the York community about Israel’s apartheid state.
While SAIA member Adonis El-Jamal says supporting IAW is a way to “stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people,” members of the Jewish community at York are very discouraged.
In response, on-campus groups Christians United for Israel (CUFI) and Hasbara Fellowships @ York have set up tables in Vari Hall to offer students the opposing viewpoint; the latter has named their own week-long campaign “Free Middle East.”
York security personnel and police officers have been patrolling York all week as a precaution.