Students Protest Israeli Actions

BOSTON--Members of the Arab, Arab-American and Muslim communities in Boston came together at Government Center yesterday to protest what they described as ongoing Israeli violations of Palestinian human rights in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.

"We are here to stop the blood-shed," said Mohamad M. Al-Ississ '00, a member of the Harvard-Radcliffe Society of Arab Students. "As a Muslim I feel strongly about Israeli attempts to change the identity of Palestinians in Jerusalem."

More than 100 students, including many from the MIT Arab Student Organization, and other Arab Americans gathered in City Hall Plaza just before 5 p.m. yesterday in a loud rush-hour march. Fewer than 10 Harvard students attended the event.

Protesters chanted "No justice, no peace," while waving signs, including one that demanded: "Stop Israel's blatant violation of human rights."

"The violence has to end," said Muna G. Sukhtian '97, vice-president of the Society of Arab Students. "Palestinians and Israelis have agreed to a peaceful solution, but there must be a just peace for there to be a lasting peace."

The latest uprisings in the Middle East began when Israel's new prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, opened an archaeological tunnel that abuts a mosque considered holy by Palestinians and other Muslims.

The ensuing clashes have led to 73 deaths in the worst fighting between Israelis and Palestinians in decades.

According to an MIT Arab Student Organization press release distributed at the protest, the opening of the tunnel under the Al-Aqsa mosque was the specific action which prompted this protest.

"The tunnel demonstrates the continuing confiscation of Palestinian land by Israel," said Alan L. Shihadeh, a member of the MIT Arab Student Organization and a MIT graduate student.

Other groups at the protest include the Harvard-Radcliffe Islamic Society, the Northeastern University Islamic Society, the Islamic Society of Boston and students from Tufts and Wellesley.

"This is a joint effort of the Arab and Muslim communities in Boston," said Kashif I. Riaz, a member of the MIT Arab Student Organization. "We are trying to raise public awareness of the situation in the West Bank."

According to Riaz, the protest was not intended to be antagonistic, but was meant to highlight the idea of Palestinian self-determination and autonomy.

Harvard-Radcliffe Hillel Chair David J. Andorsky '97, who is a Crimson editor, had no comment on the protest. He did emphasize that he is maintaining a dialogue with Ramy M. Tadros '97, president of the Harvard-Radcliffe Society of Arab Students.

Further protests have been scheduled, including a vigil tomorrow from 3 to 5 p.m. in MIT's main lobby.

"We will continue organizing protests until we get the message across," said Ehab A. Goldstein '98, a member of the Harvard Society of Arab Students

According to an MIT Arab Student Organization press release distributed at the protest, the opening of the tunnel under the Al-Aqsa mosque was the specific action which prompted this protest.

"The tunnel demonstrates the continuing confiscation of Palestinian land by Israel," said Alan L. Shihadeh, a member of the MIT Arab Student Organization and a MIT graduate student.

Other groups at the protest include the Harvard-Radcliffe Islamic Society, the Northeastern University Islamic Society, the Islamic Society of Boston and students from Tufts and Wellesley.

"This is a joint effort of the Arab and Muslim communities in Boston," said Kashif I. Riaz, a member of the MIT Arab Student Organization. "We are trying to raise public awareness of the situation in the West Bank."

According to Riaz, the protest was not intended to be antagonistic, but was meant to highlight the idea of Palestinian self-determination and autonomy.

Harvard-Radcliffe Hillel Chair David J. Andorsky '97, who is a Crimson editor, had no comment on the protest. He did emphasize that he is maintaining a dialogue with Ramy M. Tadros '97, president of the Harvard-Radcliffe Society of Arab Students.

Further protests have been scheduled, including a vigil tomorrow from 3 to 5 p.m. in MIT's main lobby.

"We will continue organizing protests until we get the message across," said Ehab A. Goldstein '98, a member of the Harvard Society of Arab Students