The Observer, April 4, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 23
Claims of pervasive anti-Semitism lack evidence
To the Editor:
Caleb Posner's lashing out about supposed anti-Semitism that runs rampant is a product of partially verifiable fact, but mostly a result of his own doing. My source in USG explained to me that Caleb is most likely quite hot around the collar because of his proposed addition of the "Zionist Organization of America" group to the student body. All of his paperwork was filled out, signed properly, and turned in on time. However, due to his lack of ability to do anything but use loaded language to espouse his ultra-radical rhetoric, he did not write an original constitution. Instead, he pilfered the constitution of the Ultimate Frisbee Club, only changing instances of "Ultimate Frisbee" with "Zionist Organization of America," even leaving the mission statement intact. Posner's proposal of the addition of the ZOA was accepted, but with the minimum allotted funding.
Last time I checked, people were allowed to hear both sides of an argument regardless of personal preference. I understand personal bias inserted into classes by a professor is somewhat unacceptable, but a completey unbiased teaching of anything is nigh impossible. But the question still stands as to whether or not Caleb Posner is actually a student in the Israel-Palestine class, or just heard of the bias, or even just assumes such ideas from Alice Bach's track record at Case. Speaking of Bach's track record, she would seem to have one of the most glowing of the Case faculty. Bach is a former children's book writer and editor, and current helper of Cleveland's homeless, as well as the current director of Women's Studies at Case. Her credentials show no signs of anti-Semitism. Her faculty sponsorship of the Students for Justice in Palestine would also appear, to most intelligent, rational people, as a harmless thing. Many people automatically label anything pro-Palestine as a vicious paramilitary terrorist organization; the only obvious detractor of SJP besides Caleb Posner is Frontpagemag.com, an apparent ultra-conservative website that has detracted slave reparations. No substantial, overbearing, objective evidence has been presented to show that SJP has actually done any wrong.
Even if SJP were apparently as terrible as Posner would frame them, it would be outright absurd for anyone to back the group in the first place, let alone be co-sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs for any event. It would seem fair to think that many groups would co-sponsor any type of event to get their name out to all students at Case. This is beside the fact that Posner is trying to say that Palestinians are not an underprivileged minority, which is wholly laughable. The words and actions of the few radicals cannot speak for the whole.
Nate Kelly
Undergraduate student
