A University of Memphis student will host a panel discussiontomorrow about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Americaninvolvement in the region.
"We believe there is a huge amount of propaganda from corporatemedia about what's actually going on over there," said Omar Baddar,U of M student and event organizer.
Baddar, 21, does not represent any on-campus group but is amember of the Memphis chapter of SUSTAIN, which stands for StopU.S. Tax-funded Aid to Israel Now.
The junior graphics design major recently visited Israel andPalestine and said his views represent "the truth about how U.S.citizens are supporting terrorism."
Baddar will speak at Wednesday's event at 7 p.m. in The U of MPsychology Auditorium, with Israeli peace activist Nirit Ben-Ari, amember of Jews Against the Occupation.
However, there will be no one on the panel to counter theanti-Israel, anti-U.S. involvement views Baddar and Ben-Ari arelikely to share, said David Patterson, U of M Bornblum chair ofexcellence and Judaic studies professor.
"Almost all the Jews in the city have a conflict on that night,"Patterson said, referring to an event that has been in the makingfor several months. The Jewish community in Memphis is hostingRabbi Hartman, a scholar and author from Jerusalem.
Hartman is also scheduled to speak Wednesday night.
However, Baddar said he sent several letters to the Jewish andpro-Israel organizations on campus but received no response. Baddarsaid he also invited members of The University's chapter of CollegeRepublicans, but they declined participation.
President of the College Republicans Andrew McGarrity said whilehe did receive a telephoned invitation Friday from Baddar, theCollege Republicans were "over committed in speaking engagements"for the week of the event.
"We reached out to those with opposing views, and that's all wecan do," Baddar said. "We're not against Israel -- we're againstIsraeli occupation of Palestinian land and America funding thatoccupation."
The drive to get the Jews out of Palestine is more anextermination than a discourse, Patterson said.
"As far as U.S. aid goes, Israel is the only ally the UnitedStates has in the region as far as democratic society andgovernment with a concept of civil rights like freedom of speechand freedom of the press," he said. "The U.S. has a right tosupport a country whose culture more closely represents ourthinking and what we hold dear. None of the 22 Arabic states havethat in their culture."
Although those with views like Patterson are not slated to speakat Wednesday's event on the Israel-Palestine conflict, Baddar saidhe would welcome an opportunity to publicly debate the issue.
That's why he has set aside time after the presentations forquestions and comments from the audience, he said.
"I am open to attending and presenting my views and debatingthis issue with anyone at any future event," Baddar said. "I wouldprefer to do it that way."
