Many questions have arisen as a result of Student for Justice in Palestine’s open mic event, named Caf‚ Intifada. I would like to clear up what several people have been attempting to twist around and incorrectly convey to the university population. In her letter, Ms. Elkayam claims that I “question the intelligence of my audience.” I only question the competence of non-Arabic speaking individuals claiming to be able to correctly translate an Arabic word. Being an Arab myself, I know that the true meaning of “intifada” is resistance or uprising. In no way does it involve violence. Elkayam also claims that the Intifada is a “bloody word” to many. The offense caused by the word is understandable. What is not understandable is the drive to censor its usage and label any user of the word a blanket supporter of terrorism and violence. I would like to inform you that Zionism is also a bloody word to many. To many, Israel means violence, apartheid, racism, terror, extrajudicial killings, illegal imprisonment, and denying innocent civilians their every human right. The Intifada is only a legitimate resistance movement to an oppressive, racist, and illegal occupation that has lasted for almost 60 years. Yes, unfortunately a select minority chooses to utilize violence as their means of resistance, but that is not what we are here to promote. We are here to encourage non-violent resistance, as did this event through poetry and other art forms. David Ben Gurion, the first Israeli Prime Minister stated: “If I were an Arab leader, I would never sign an agreement with Israel. It is normal; we have taken their country . There has been anti-Semitism, the Nazis, Hitler, Auschwitz, but was that their fault? They see but one thing: We have come and we have stolen their country. Why would they accept that?” And so I ask you, why do you expect the Palestinians to accept it and not rise against injustice?

Lina El-Beshbeeshy

Arab Student Association President

Junior in Engineering