Declining Israeli-Palestinian relations in the past week concerned students and faculty, altered some class curriculums and has spawned educational events around Grounds.
A protest this Tuesday by the Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice at the intersection of Emmet Street and Ivy Road focused on the Middle East conflict, including issues in Iraq, Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Although the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is ongoing, it escalated most recently with a wave of Palestinian suicide bombings last Wednesday during the Jewish celebration of Passover. Israel responded with aggressive military action against the Palestinians.
Faculty members expressed growing concern and awareness of the conflict.
"I actually addressed it just at the last class," said Anthropology Prof. Daniel Lefkowitz, who teaches Jewish Languages and Communities. "I left the end [of class] to touch on politics when I usually don't."
Politics Prof. William B. Quandt also has addressed the issue.
"In the past couple weeks, we've been spending more time" discussing current affairs in the Middle East, Quandt said. "I think in the last week or so there has been a broader concern."
Escalating violence in the Middle East presents a dilemma for students studying abroad.
"Because of all the trouble in the region, it seems to be tense but we are still receiving applications," said Mohammed Sawaie, director of the University of Virginia-Yarmouk University summer Arabic program in Irbid, Jordan. "We are under the assumption that the program will go on unless security concerns increase."
As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalated so quickly, the University had little time to organize formal events such as panels or teach-ins. However, the issue is drawing increasing attention.
The Jewish Studies department, Hillel Jewish Center and the Middle Eastern Studies department are hosting a visit by Israeli playwright Motti Lerner. He will be addressing students tomorrow concerning "The Israeli Theatre and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict."
"My colleagues at both Hillel and in the Middle Eastern Studies program were both interested in sponsoring the program," said Vanessa Ochs, Ida and Nathan Kolodiz Director of Jewish Studies.
In addition, former University visiting scholar, adjunct faculty member and former Israeli ambassador Shabtai Rosenne will address faculty at an April 10 luncheon regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Jake Rubin, fourth-year College student and president of the Virginia Pro-Israel Alliance Committee, said that Hillel Jewish Center has extended an invitation to two Israeli soldiers to participate in a public discussion. The soldiers will speak April 14.
David Waldner, director of the Middle Eastern Studies department, said the Politics and Middle Eastern Studies departments are working on a discussion panel addressing the conflict which could possibly be held next week
Until organized events can be arranged, the Jewish and Arab communities are responding by watching events carefully.
"Definitely the Arab-American community is following the situation and it's of great worry to them," fourth-year College student Sabri Ben-Achour said.
Some students have personal ties to the region, including Ben-Achour, who maintains relations with friends in Ramallah, a town located 10 miles outside of Jerusalem.
"I have a friend in Ramallah who sends daily updates that they're either out of electricity or out of water or scared out of their wits or holed up in their houses," he said.
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