How should Hamline respond to recent events in Israel and Gaza? Here is my perspective:
Struggles for national liberation should not kill civilians. The attacks on Israeli civilians by Hamas were acts of terrorism. Hamline, as an institution, should condemn them.
Efforts at national defense must make every effort not to harm civilians. Disproportionate responses and collective punishments carried out by the Israeli government in Gaza are war crimes. Hamline, as an institution, should condemn them.
Condemning all Palestinians, or all Arabs, for the actions of Hamas is racist. Condemning all Muslims for the actions of Hamas is Islamophobic. Condemning all Jews for the actions of the Israeli government is antisemitic. Racism, Islamophobia, and antisemitism have no place at Hamline, and the institution must do more to address them.
Stephen H. Kellert
