By Josh Sigal
The Daily Bruin performed a huge disservice to the UCLA
community in printing Andy Shah’s article,
“Independence celebration spurs dialogue between Jews,
Muslims” (News, May 11). In an article that should have
focused on Israeli Independence Day festivities at UCLA, The Bruin
instead focused on the efforts of the Muslim Student Association to
“enlighten” all Bruins on the “viciousness”
of Zionism ““ a program otherwise known as Anti-Zionism
Week.
Rather than visually illustrate the Israeli festivities in
Meyerhoff Park, a solemn MSA member is shown in protest in the
photograph that ran with the article. I am a little confused as to
why an article that should have revolved around Israel’s
independence celebration instead emphasized MSA’s protest of
the event. This was poor judgement on The Bruin’s behalf.
As a news agency, it is the responsibility of the Daily Bruin to
report on current events at UCLA. This requirement was fulfilled
the previous day in the article, “Muslim group rallies
against Zionism” by Melody Wang (News, May 10), which
described MSA’s “educational” efforts on Zionism.
It was therefore redundant, inappropriate and subjective on The
Bruin’s part to focus on the divisive and uneducated tactics
of MSA, as well as its extremist ideology, in the other
article.
I plead with The Bruin, as well as with fellow members of the
UCLA community, not to succumb to the exaggerations,
half-truths,and outright lies MSA members propagandize about
Zionism. To combat their malicious rhetoric, people must
legitimately educate themselves about the history of the idea
““ Zionism ““ that ultimately led to the creation of the
modern state of Israel in 1948. This will expose all of MSA’s
falsehoods and allow people to learn the truth about Zionism.
Israel’s recent 52nd birthday was a joyous time for Jews
worldwide. As we enter the new millennium, we must celebrate and
honor Israel’s independence. Israel is, and will continue to
be, home to Jews. With peace in the Middle East on the horizon, we
as Bruins have a responsibility to act in accordance with the
examples set forth by political leaders in the region. Progress can
only arise out of honesty, real effort and open-mindedness.
Let us not forget the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., a
crusader in the fight against oppression, who wrote, “… you
declare, my friend, that you do not hate the Jews, you are merely
“˜anti-Zionist.’ When people criticize Zionism, they
mean Jews. This is God’s own truth … Why is this? You know
that Zionism is nothing less than the dream and ideal of the Jewish
people returning to live in their own land” (“This I
Believe: Selections from the Writings of Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr.,” pages 234-235).