More Concerns Raised About the Olive Tree Initiative

The following letter to Jewish Community Leaders  is copied to the OC Task Force and a number of Jewish Organization by Tammi-Rossman Benjamin, a Jewish educator and faculty member at UC Santa Cruz.  Ms. Rossman-Benjamin’s letter outlines very serious concerns about  the Olive Tree Initiative, the speakers involved and the nature of the organized trips .  Careful consideration should be given to the allegations outlined in this letter.

Dear Mr. Elcott and Mr. Fruchtman:

I am a faculty member at UCSC and a Jewish educator, who has been working with many organizations and members of the community to combat anti-Israelism and anti-Semitism on my own and other UC campuses, including at UC Irvine.

Last week I received the letters which you sent on behalf of the Orange County Federation and Hillel, which shamefully attacked a member of your Jewish community for expressing deep concern about the overtly anti-Israel nature of a Federation-funded and Hillel-promoted program, the Olive Tree Initiative.  I am writing to you to affirm that I and a great many others share that community member’s concerns.

Here’s why:

As you know, the OTI sends students for a two-week trip to Israel and the disputed territories.  During that time students meet with over 50 individuals and groups, an approximately equal number of Israelis and Palestinians, with some international and Jordanian speakers. Overall, there is a clear anti-Israel pro-Palestinian tilt to the OTI.

Of the Palestinian speakers and groups who addressed the students on the most recent OTI trip (Sept. 2010), the overwhelming majority have expressed an overt animus towards the Jewish state, including by advocating for its elimination or for measures to harm her, or by allying with terrorist groups that perpetrate violence against Jews.  Over one-third of the Palestinian speakers have advocated boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) against Israel.  Moreover, at least two of the Israeli speakers represent organizations which engage in relentless Israel bashing, and several other speakers on the Israeli side have been harshly critical of Israeli government policy.  In addition, two of the four supposedly neutral international organizations, whose representatives made presentations to the OTI students, are well-known for their virulently anti-Israel bias.

The following is an alphabetized list of the 15 most egregiously anti-Israel speakers and organizations from the 2010 OTI trip, with links to their anti-Israel statements and activities:

OCITF Statement on Olive Tree Initiative Speakers

We attended  Mr. Rishmawi’s 2:00 PM presentation on Monday and in our view it was demonstratively one sided.  We fully recognize his first Amendment right to free speech, however, based upon our information, and given the track record of Mr. Rishmawi’s involvement in anti-Israel enterprises such as  (co-founding of ) the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and the Palestine Center for Rapprochment (PCR),  we have concluded that it is antithetical to the overall interests of the the Jewish community  for Jewish organizations to continue financial support for other organizations, such as the Olive Tree Initiative (OTI), as long as those groups continue to expose students to speakers whose one-sided rhetoric or whose mission is the de-legitimization and destruction of the State of Israel. The concept of  the right of  Israel to exist should unite the Jewish community and there is no point in the Jewish community sponsoring speakers who oppose that concept. There are already organizations at U C Irvine  who are sponsoring those kinds of speakers.

“We must stand together”

Divided We Fall

Natalie Katz is a recent graduate of UCSD

We in the pro-Israel community are fighting a very real war. We are fighting propaganda, misinformation, hate speakers, intimidation tactics, double standards, apathy, ignorance, and plain old antisemitism.

And yet the biggest threat we face is from within. The division of the Jewish community is real and it is dangerous.

George Rishmawi: A Tale of Two People?

Both men have  apparently worked closely together.  Both men  including George N, who Jewish Federation CEO Shalom Elcott described as a ” despicable character” (his words) have appeared together, or at least on the same itinerary, of past Olive Tree Initiative trips with UC Irvine Students. Update: We attended  Mr. Rishmawi’s 2:00 PM presentation and in our view it was demonstratively one sided.

Updated  Facebook Bio on George (S) Rishmawi:

George Rishamwi , a Palestinian Non Violence Peace activist from Beit Sahour. In his capacity as Coordinator for Siraj, Center For Holy Land Studies, (www.sirajcenter.org) he organizes the Palestine Encounter programs which brings International visitors to Palestine for first hand experience living with Palestinian families and working with Palestinian activists.

He also has expertise in Non – Typical tourism activities includin…g cultural tours, political mission, and environmental hiking tours. Rishamwi is a former member of the International Solidarity Movement , a board member of the Network of the Christian Organizations in the Bethlehem area, and former board member of the Palestinian center for Rapprochement in Between People in Beit Sahour.

Born in Beit Sahour, a city known for non-violent resistance, George S. Rishmawi is coming to UC Irvine as a guest of the Olive Tree Initiative, and for those of you interested in becoming part of OTI 4, George is one of our primary contacts in the West Bank.

Olive Tree Initiative is a diverse group of students with different opinions, that attempts to learn and interact with a variety of speakers: politicians, academics, NGO’s, and more from different backgrounds and positions. The beliefs and views expressed in the event are not necessarily the beliefs and views expressed either by the students or organization as a whole.

** EDIT **

The person coming is George S. Rishmawi.
Picture posted before was George N. Rishmawi.

Many online sources have incorrect information about our speaker due to the names being so similar.

George S. Bio on Siraj Center Website:

George Rishamwi , a Palestinian Non Violence Peace activist from Beit Sahour. In his capacity as Coordinator for Siraj, Center For Holy Land Studies, www.sirajcenter.org he organizes the Palestine Encounter programs which brings International visitors to Palestine for first hand experience living with Palestinian families and working with Palestinian activists. He also has expertise in Non – Typical tourism activities including cultural tours, political mission, and environmental hiking tours. Rishamwi is a cofounder of the International Solidarity Movement , a board member of the Network of the Christian Organizations in the Bethlehem area, and former board member of the Palestinian center for Rapprochement in Between People in Beit Sahour.

From the Palestine Center for Rapprochment current website

George N. Rishmawi, Executive Director

Graduate of Birzeit University with a BA degree in English Language and Literature with a Diploma in Translation.  Joined PCR in 1991, employed in 1998, became Executive Director in 2005

George S. Rishmawi, Promotion Coordinator, Siraj Center

MSA Holds Annual Conference at UCLA

http://www.msawest.net/

More on the International Solidarity Movement: From the The Jewish Federations of North America Web Site

Note: “The Jewish Federations of North America represents 157 Jewish Federations and 400 Network communities”

Myth and Fact: The International Solidarity Movement

Mitchell G. Bard

Myth

“The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) is a non-violent human rights organization that opposes terrorism and supports a two-state solution.”

Fact

The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) has harbored known terrorists and openly advocated violence and the destruction of Israel. ISM spokesman Raphael Cohen was asked at a May 2003 press conference to define “occupation.” His response: “The Zionist presence in Palestine” (David Bedein. “Support unit for terror,” Jerusalem Post, June 25, 2003).

Olive Tree Initiative hosting International Solidarity Movement leader at UC Irvine?

Photo from Facebook  invitation page:    George Rishmawi – “Non-Violent Resistance”

UPDATE:  The Facebook page originally containing the flier (above) and the original  description (below) of  the speaker, George Rishmawi  have been changed as of November 19.   Curiously, all original references to the speakers connection to the International Solidarity Movement have now been removed and his bio has been revised.  Significantly, The Siraj Center bio of George Rishmawi describes him as “co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement.”

This information was forwarded by a UC Irvine student:

George S. Rishmawi is a leader and co-founder of the ISM, the International Solidarity Movement, and the head of the Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies (http://www.sirajcenter.org/), a Palestinian NGO that operates in the West Bank to lead educational tours about Palestine and the Israeli Occupation.

Born in Beit Sahour, a city known for non-violent resistance, George S. Rishmawi is coming to UC Irvine as a guest of the Olive Tree Initiative, and for those of you interested in becoming part of OTI 4, George is one of our primary contacts in the West Bank.

2pm – 3pm
Palestinian Non-Violent Resistance (Student Center, TBA)

330pm – 430pm
Water Shortage in the West Bank, Founders Circle, Aldirch Park

5pm – 6pm
Palestinian Diplomacy & Rapprochement, SBSG 1517

There will be a short presentation and ample time for Q/A and group discussion at each event!

Here how ADL describes the ISM:

http://www.adl.org/israel/israel_int_solidarity.asp

Backgrounder: International Solidarity Movement

Posted: August 25, 2008

The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) is a well-organized movement that spreads anti-Israel propaganda and misinformation and voices support for others who engage in armed resistance against Israel.

The Ottawa Protocol

EXCERPT: “Working with universities to encourage them to combat antisemitism with the same seriousness with which they confront other forms of hate. Specifically, universities should be invited to define antisemitism clearly, provide specific examples, and enforce conduct codes firmly, while ensuring compliance with freedom of speech and the principle of academic freedom. Universities should use the EUMC Working Definition of Antisemitism as a basis for education, training and orientation. Indeed, there should be zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind against anyone in the university community on the basis of race, gender, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or political position;”

UPDATED – For The Record: The full text of the Ottawa Protocol – Inside Politics.

By Kady O’Malley — November 10, 2010

Preamble

We, Representatives of our respective Parliaments from across the world, convening in Ottawa for the second Conference and Summit of the Inter-parliamentary Coalition for Combating Antisemitism, note and reaffirm the London Declaration on Combating Antisemitism as a template document for the fight against antisemitism.

UC San Diego Graduate Speaks out on Her Campus Experiences

My Question for Mark Yudof

Natalie Katz

Last Thursday Mark Yudof, UC President, spoke to the Jewish community in Newport Beach. I was made aware of the event by Gary Fouse who thought it might be a great opportunity for me to share some of my experiences.

The event was strictly controlled. The audience was permitted to submit questions, but not ask them themselves. A moderator selected and read questions -and I quote- “as true to life as possible, with some annotations.” I had submitted a short question online, hoping to get to ask it myself, so that I could expand on it a little. Even my shortened question was not read.

What shall we say…?

Special thanks to Rabbi Mark Miller for graciously forwarding this very important and poignant excerpt from his opening remarks in his introduction to U C President Mark Yudof:

Introduction to University of California President Mark Yudoff

Temple Bat Yahm, November 4th, 2010

Rabbi Mark S. Miller

Welcome to Temple Bat Yahm for what promises to be an informative exchange of ideas with our honored guest on subjects that are of particular concern to our Jewish community and to all people of good will who cherish values of respect, decency, and dialogue.Colleges and universities today confront an increasing explosive issue over what constitutes acceptable behavior and discourse, what defines reasoned and measured argument, and what speech and actions smash the civility that should under gird the campus community.

What shall be the response to the surge in verbal and non-verbal aggression, to intimidation and harassment, to the odious vocabulary of Jew-hatred?

What shall we say when students, in the name of free speech, resort to rhetorical tropes that resurrect the symbols of Nazism and the slanders of Anti-Semitism?

What shall our reaction be when students deem it appropriate to shout down those who oppose their revisionist viewpoints and big lies?

I personally recall being reviled with the most grotesque epithets by Muslim students whose faces were contorted with rage after I delivered a guest lecture to a Political Science class at UC Irvine titled “The Demonizing of Israel in the Muslim World.”  The professor said afterward that he was never so frightened in a college setting and contemplated calling campus security to escort me to the parking lot.

It is these questions and incidents that call for response from those charged with maintaining the safety that should be guaranteed and the sanity that should prevail on our American campuses today.

Letter from UC Irvine Student to President Yudof concerning November 4th Presentation

Dear President Yudof (CC: Chancellor Drake, Interim Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Parham, Dean Talesh, and ASUCI President Nayudu),

I think that I can speak for the Jewish UC Irvine students present yesterday in thanking you for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with us. Your efforts to reach out and hear our concerns about anti-Semitism on our campus are very much appreciated. Many of those present last night asked me about the contents of the folder which I handed you, and so I have BCCed them on this e-mail. Below my message are the links to the documents I provided you (which I spent a considerable amount of time highlighting as a way to show my respect of your time), including some that demonstrate the discriminatory actions of the UCI Police Department.

Before getting to that content, I would like to point out that the entire Jewish student population was not represented last night. Missing were a number of students who often feel intimidated, and have found the UCI administration and staff to be not only unhelpful, but sometimes negative in response to their reporting instances when their civil rights had been violated. (emphasis added)

Letter To OC Community Regarding President Yudof’s November 4th Presentation

Dear Community Member,

As you know, Mark Yudof, President of the University of California will be addressing the community tomorrow evening at Temple Bat Yahm in Newport Beach.

It is no secret, that Jewish students have complained about verbal, physical and other forms of harassment including classroom intimidation.   Over the past several years, Swastikas and other anti-Semitic symbols have appeared on several U C campuses and the level of anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric have increased dramatically.  Just this year, over 60 UC Irvine faculty members and professors signed a letter stating, in part: “Some community members, students, and faculty indeed feel intimidated, and at times even unsafe.”

In an August 2010 interview in Orange County Jewish life Magazine, President Yudof invited community leaders to “hold our feet to the fire”.  http://www.ocjewishlife.com/site/more-speech-not-less/

On June 28, 2010, The Orange County Independent Task Force on anti-Semitism, along with 11 Major National Organizations co-signed a letter of concern to President Yudof.  We attach this letter, along with President Yudof’s response for your perusal and evaluation.  We hope that the information contained in these letters will provide a basis and an opportunity for the community ask appropriate questions and engage in a useful, meaningful and productive dialogue with President Yudof.

https://octaskforce.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/letter-to-president-yudof-6_28_10.pdf

https://octaskforce.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/letter-from-yudof-7_2_10.pdf

The Orange County Independent Task Force on Anti-Semitism

octaskforce.org

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

See also: (click on title) Huge anti Israel rally at UC Irvine!! President of AFI: “UC Irvine has been a hotbed for anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activism over the past seven years”.

Has the “campus climate” improved?

From the Jewish Journal 2008 

Further from reality?

Below are two differing student perspectives on the  situation  at U C Irvine.  The first appears in an article in this months O C Jewish Life Magazine; The second appeared in July 2009 Pajamas Media.  It should be noted that according to the print version of  the O C Jewish life magazine,  the author of the two articles appear to be the same person. The online version of OCJL lists a different author.   Nevertheless, here are two perspectives:

UPDATE:  The Editor of OC Jewish life confirmed that both articles were, in fact, written by the same person and that the online version is to be corrected.

See also: ( Click on title): UCI FACULTY LETTER UPDATE: “Some community members, students, and faculty indeed feel intimidated, and at times even unsafe.”

New Face at Hillel

OC Jewish Life Magazine–November 2010 By Aaron Elias

Excerpt:

One of ——-‘s obstacles this year is the sentiment harbored by some Jewish families that U C Irvine isn’t safe for Jews. The MSU’s recent actions at the school over the past several years have led certain people – however removed from the UCI community – to believe that UC Irvine is a cesspool of anti-Semitism. As ——– pointed out, this perspective could not be further removed from reality. (You can read the entire article here)

Another Perspective:

Vicious Jew-Hatred Wins Center Stage at UC Irvine

July 28, 2009 – by Aaron Elias–Pajamas Media

The Muslim Student Union’s “Palestine Awareness Week” is, once again, a cesspool of Islam-fueled madness.

To see a firsthand example of Islamic fundamentalist anti-Semitism, you need look no further than the University of California, Irvine.

Statement of Nobel Laureates on Academic BDS Actions against Israeli Academics, Israeli Academic Institutions and Academic Centers and Institutes of Research and Training With Affiliations in Israel

Special thanks to  Davis Meyer-Levi, Director: Research and Communication Scholars for Peace in the Middle East  who Forwarded  this to OC Task Force:

November 1, 2010

STATEMENT OF NOBEL LAUREATES ON ACADEMIC BOYCOTTS, DIVESTMENTS AND SANCTIONS (BDS) ACTIONS AGAINST ISRAELI ACADEMICS, ISRAELI ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND ACADEMIC CENTERS AND INSTITUTES OF RESEARCH AND TRAINING WITH AFFILIATIONS IN ISRAEL Led by Nobel Laureates, Roger Kornberg, Stanford University, and Steven Weinberg, University of Texas at Austin, 38 Nobel colleagues have endorsed the following statement written under the auspices of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East (SPME) regarding worldwide attempts to boycott, divest from or sanction Israeli academics, institutions, and research and training centers.

Of special concern are the continued threat of a boycott by the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, of Ben Gurion University in Israel, student government divestment efforts in the University of California system, an attempt to get signatures for the California Initiative to divest pension funds from companies doing business with Israel or Israeli companies, as well as the initiative to shut down the Georgia Law Enforcement and Education Center at Georgia State University which has training and research connections with similar institutions in Israel.