Today, Friday November 19, a shocking and unacceptable op-ed appeared in Berkeley's student newspaper, the Daily Cal. In the article, entitled "War With Iran: New Excuse, Same Conclusion", Matthew Soldad makes the claim that American Jews "aligned with Israel" with a "lust for domination" are behind a scheme involving "subversion of the Republican party" and "baiting American leadership" into going to war for economic gain.
This type of language draws directly from classic antisemitic blood libel, tapping into the themes of subversion, dual loyalty, and control of the economy.
The author, Matthew Soldad, has apparently been at work contributing antisemitic articles to school newspapers before, with an article about Hitler being a Jewish Zionist in the CSUN Daily Sundial in September of this year.
It is absolutely deplorable that the student newspaper at the University of California, Berkeley would print such bigoted dribble. The Daily Californian must immediately apologize to the Jewish community, ensure consequences for the editor responsible, and take steps to ensure that this kind of blatant racism is never published again.
Please email a letter to the Daily Cal at dailycalifornian@dailycal.org, and clearly make your voice heard that this is completely unacceptable.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Israeli civilians murdered; Peace talks not looking promising
This past Tuesday, Hamas terrorists shot to death four Jews who were driving in a car at the Bani Naim junction in Judea. While this massacre would be a tragedy at any time, it is especially troubling on the eve of the peace talks scheduled to begin between Israel and the PA.
Hamas opposition to peace talks of any kind is stated explicitly in its charter, which claims that the only road forward is violence with the aim of obliterating the Jewish state. Any peace deal with the PA will not speak for Hamas, which currently controls the Gaza region.
The American-backed PA is often referred to as more moderate, but many question its commitment to peace as well. A couple of days ago it honored a mother for raising children who became terrorists and killed Israeli civilians. PA television recently aired a broadcast that told Jews to leave Israel (their ancient homeland), and to return to Europe and Ethiopia. And PA president Abbas said that if the upcoming peace talks fail, Israel will be to blame unless it meets the preconditions that the PA demands.
The nation of Israel waits eagerly and prays that after 62 long years, the Palestinian leadership will finally be a sincere partner for peace.
Hamas opposition to peace talks of any kind is stated explicitly in its charter, which claims that the only road forward is violence with the aim of obliterating the Jewish state. Any peace deal with the PA will not speak for Hamas, which currently controls the Gaza region.
The American-backed PA is often referred to as more moderate, but many question its commitment to peace as well. A couple of days ago it honored a mother for raising children who became terrorists and killed Israeli civilians. PA television recently aired a broadcast that told Jews to leave Israel (their ancient homeland), and to return to Europe and Ethiopia. And PA president Abbas said that if the upcoming peace talks fail, Israel will be to blame unless it meets the preconditions that the PA demands.
The nation of Israel waits eagerly and prays that after 62 long years, the Palestinian leadership will finally be a sincere partner for peace.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
First General Meeting!
Join us for our first general meeting as we kick off the new school year! If you are new, this is a great opportunity to meet us and learn what Tikvah is all about. If you are a returning member you can reunite with your Tikvah friends and meet new members.
We will be introducing our group and its mission, discussing the topic: "Pro-Israel at Berkeley", and getting to know you, our new and prospective members!
Free drinks and snacks will be served.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
7:30pm
185 Barrows Hall.
If you have any questions, please contact us!
We will be introducing our group and its mission, discussing the topic: "Pro-Israel at Berkeley", and getting to know you, our new and prospective members!
Free drinks and snacks will be served.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
7:30pm
185 Barrows Hall.
If you have any questions, please contact us!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
New website!
Welcome to the Fall 2010 semester!
We have exciting news! In addition to this blog now being active again, Tikvah will soon have a website up! A real website! The url will be tikvahsfi.berkeley.edu.
Right now that address redirects here, so please be patient as we work out the technical details.
Stay tuned, and check back soon.
Update: the website is up at its permanent location, tikvahsfi.berkeley.edu
We have exciting news! In addition to this blog now being active again, Tikvah will soon have a website up! A real website! The url will be tikvahsfi.berkeley.edu.
Right now that address redirects here, so please be patient as we work out the technical details.
Stay tuned, and check back soon.
Update: the website is up at its permanent location, tikvahsfi.berkeley.edu
Monday, April 27, 2009
Natan Sharansky is Coming to Cal!
Natan Sharansky Speaks at Cal!
Hosted by Tikvah: Students for Israel, Jewish National Fund, Caravan for Democracy, and Media Watch International
Tuesday May 5, 2009 at 7pm in 155 Dwinelle (Doors open at 6:30)
To reserve a seat, please visit:
When Natan Sharansky was denied the right to an Israel exit visa in 1973, he joined other Soviet Jews in their fight for freedom, as well as the Soviet Union's human rights movement. He soon became an unofficial spokesperson for both causes and was accused of conspiracy with the US government in 1977. After serving 9 of the 13 years he was sentenced to prison, he was released with the help of his wife's international campaign, and he emigrated to Israel on the very same day.
Sharansky has since been an integral part of increasing Jewish emigration to Israel, specifically from Russia - he founded the political party "Yisrael B'Aliya" in 1996. Sharansky also co-founded Peace Watch in 1994 and has served as Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in 4 Israeli governments. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1986 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006.
Sharansky has written 3 books. His first, "Fear No Evil," is autobiographical and details his years in prison. "The Case for Democracy" is a New York Times bestseller arguing his views on freedom. His most recent book, "Defending Identity," was just released last June.
For more info: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=81262590867
Hosted by Tikvah: Students for Israel, Jewish National Fund, Caravan for Democracy, and Media Watch International
Tuesday May 5, 2009 at 7pm in 155 Dwinelle (Doors open at 6:30)
To reserve a seat, please visit:
http://support.jnf.org/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=7004
When Natan Sharansky was denied the right to an Israel exit visa in 1973, he joined other Soviet Jews in their fight for freedom, as well as the Soviet Union's human rights movement. He soon became an unofficial spokesperson for both causes and was accused of conspiracy with the US government in 1977. After serving 9 of the 13 years he was sentenced to prison, he was released with the help of his wife's international campaign, and he emigrated to Israel on the very same day.
Sharansky has since been an integral part of increasing Jewish emigration to Israel, specifically from Russia - he founded the political party "Yisrael B'Aliya" in 1996. Sharansky also co-founded Peace Watch in 1994 and has served as Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in 4 Israeli governments. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1986 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006.
Sharansky has written 3 books. His first, "Fear No Evil," is autobiographical and details his years in prison. "The Case for Democracy" is a New York Times bestseller arguing his views on freedom. His most recent book, "Defending Identity," was just released last June.
For more info: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=81262590867
A New Post! Finally! This time, with some updates...
Sorry we haven't posted anything in a while. It's been a busy time and more regular posts are soon, to come. In the meantime, here's a quick runthrough of some of our latest events:
Israeli Peace and Diversity Week (March 2 - 6)
Monday, March 2: LGBT Rights in Israel
Tuesday, March 3: 8-10 pm in 242 Dwinelle - film screening of "Live and Become"
Wednesday, March 4: Refugee Day, 11-2 pm
LAVON MERCER, 8:00 pm, East Madrone Room - Former professional basketball player speaks about his experience as an African-American living in Israel and volunteering in the IDF.
Thursday, March 5: PEACE RALLY at noon on Savio Steps
Friday, March 6:Path to Peace, 11-1 pm on Sproul.
On Thursday, May 23 we screened the film "The Case for Israel," a documentary based on Alan Dershowitz's best-selling book. 60 people came to the event and there was a discussion/Q and A session afterwards. Thanks to all who came, and we hope you learned a lot.
**We'll try to post some pictures from the events on the blog soon, too.
We'll keep you updated on more exciting events to look forward to. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at tikvahsfi@gmail.com
Israeli Peace and Diversity Week (March 2 - 6)
Monday, March 2: LGBT Rights in Israel
Tuesday, March 3: 8-10 pm in 242 Dwinelle - film screening of "Live and Become"
Wednesday, March 4: Refugee Day, 11-2 pm
LAVON MERCER, 8:00 pm, East Madrone Room - Former professional basketball player speaks about his experience as an African-American living in Israel and volunteering in the IDF.
Thursday, March 5: PEACE RALLY at noon on Savio Steps
Friday, March 6:Path to Peace, 11-1 pm on Sproul.
On Thursday, May 23 we screened the film "The Case for Israel," a documentary based on Alan Dershowitz's best-selling book. 60 people came to the event and there was a discussion/Q and A session afterwards. Thanks to all who came, and we hope you learned a lot.
**We'll try to post some pictures from the events on the blog soon, too.
We'll keep you updated on more exciting events to look forward to. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at tikvahsfi@gmail.com
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
"Why the Media Get the Middle East Wrong" with Jeff Jacoby
Last Tuesday night (12/2) Tikvah hosted Jeff Jacoby, columnist of the Boston Globe, to talk about "Why the Media Gets the Middle East Wrong." It was a fascinating talk with about 45 people in attendance. Jacoby began the evening by reading news stories from various American newspapers and pointed out how when it comes to the Middle East, publications like to leave certain facts out. For example, when UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Palestinians to stop firing rockets into Israel and for Israel not to respond with excessive, a respected newpaper reported the story as saying: "Ban Ki-moon tells Israel to stop using excessive force on Palestinians" without making any mention of the rest of his statement. There was another case with Newsweek Magazine when on the cover the face of a female suicide bomber was placed next to a picture of a female victim of the bombing. Their two stories were profiled equally and their faces were the same size. This sort of imagery creates a sense of moral equivalence between the murderer and the murdered. There are countless other similar examples.
Jacoby then went into why such a bias exists. Logically, it doesn't make sense that such a tiny region with such a relatively small conflict (compared to ones in Darfur and Congo with MUCH more violence) gets so much coverage, and negative coverage at that. The reasons are as follows: First, access to Israel is much easier for international journalists than it is to many other places. Tel Aviv is very hospital to reporters and there is a thriving free press in Israel. Reporters are much more likely to spend months posted in a beautiful hotel by the beach in Tel Aviv than they are to stay in Sudan or Congo. The next reason is fear. In the Islamic fundamentalist countries around Israel, journalists are threatened and intimidated by the government for writing anything critical. In Israel, it is more than OK to criticize the government -- Israelis do it more than enough! Another reason is the media's general leaning towards the left side of the political spectrum. While the Left and Right in this country are supportive of Israel, it is a trend of late for the Left to be more critical of Israel. Because most major media outlets in this country are left-leaning, this tendency to be critical of Israel is apparent. Lastly, there is often reporting based on nonfactual information. When a reporter goes to the Middle East and doesn't know the local language, they depend on translators and guides to give them the story of what's going on. The translators/guides in Palestinian territories often work for the government and take journalists to staged scenes of children throwing rocks that are not genuine at all. Reporters don't have any other options so they run with the fake story and photographs and people in the rest of the world take them to be true. Following his talk, Jacoby took questions from people in the audience, some journalists themselves and some just interested students.
Overall it was a great evening and a wonderful way to end the semester. Thanks to all of you who showed up! We look forward to seeing you for more events after the break.
Jacoby then went into why such a bias exists. Logically, it doesn't make sense that such a tiny region with such a relatively small conflict (compared to ones in Darfur and Congo with MUCH more violence) gets so much coverage, and negative coverage at that. The reasons are as follows: First, access to Israel is much easier for international journalists than it is to many other places. Tel Aviv is very hospital to reporters and there is a thriving free press in Israel. Reporters are much more likely to spend months posted in a beautiful hotel by the beach in Tel Aviv than they are to stay in Sudan or Congo. The next reason is fear. In the Islamic fundamentalist countries around Israel, journalists are threatened and intimidated by the government for writing anything critical. In Israel, it is more than OK to criticize the government -- Israelis do it more than enough! Another reason is the media's general leaning towards the left side of the political spectrum. While the Left and Right in this country are supportive of Israel, it is a trend of late for the Left to be more critical of Israel. Because most major media outlets in this country are left-leaning, this tendency to be critical of Israel is apparent. Lastly, there is often reporting based on nonfactual information. When a reporter goes to the Middle East and doesn't know the local language, they depend on translators and guides to give them the story of what's going on. The translators/guides in Palestinian territories often work for the government and take journalists to staged scenes of children throwing rocks that are not genuine at all. Reporters don't have any other options so they run with the fake story and photographs and people in the rest of the world take them to be true. Following his talk, Jacoby took questions from people in the audience, some journalists themselves and some just interested students.
Overall it was a great evening and a wonderful way to end the semester. Thanks to all of you who showed up! We look forward to seeing you for more events after the break.
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