Swarthmore Hillel extremists

The media continues its fascination with internal-Jewish discussions, particularly in regards to left-wing extremists. The most recent example is yesterday’s feature in The New York Times feature entitled “Members of Jewish Student Group Test Permissible Discussion on Israel.” The article focuses on the Swarthmore Hillel group, which has opposed Hillel’s national policy of refusing to collaborate with groups that are opposed to Israel and Zionism. (What is the news in a Jewish group that won’t work with organizations who want to destroy the Jewish state?)

While Swarthmore Hillel has done an outstanding job of public relations, with a smart, highly-publicized open letter declaring themselves an Open Hillel, in reality, there’s little controversy. Nearly unanimously, Hillel and their supporters have said clearly as Eric Fingerhut, president of Hillel stated, “anti-Zionists will not be permitted to speak using the Hillel name or under the Hillel roof under any circumstances.” As Fingerhut notes, Hillel’s guidelines specify “that it will not host or work with speakers or groups that deny the right of Israel to exist.” There hasn’t been a single notable voice in the Jewish community who has supported Swarthmore.

It is natural that Jewish organizations won’t allow their funds and association to be used to harm their interests. As the Zionist visionary Ze’ev Jabotinsky said many years ago: “What interest can the Jewish nation have in individuals whose supreme pride consists in the fact that they have renounced their own people?”

The media should stop celebrating these far-left wing Jewish extremists who oppose American and Israeli policies regarding the safety of the State of Israel.