"What is the bias here?" How many of us ever truly ask? Why not? This is perhaps the most crucial part of any reading we ever do. When studying history, we learn to read historical documents with the knowledge that there is an inherent bias within the work. This bias affects both what is reported and the manner in which the reporting is done. Furthermore, we all know that bias is not limited just to writing, but also appears in speaking and reporting. Perhaps the most critical part of being a student at a university such as Tufts is realizing this fact and then actively questioning what one is told. Yet at times I worry about how much this is actually done.
Here at Tufts, we have the "Friends of Israel" club, whose name I believe to be fairly self-explanatory. Personally, I admire the club for the speakers they are able to bring, from both American and Israeli perspectives. I wish that other clubs put in the same effort and had the resources that Friends of Israel does. Yet at the same time I am wary of their influence and how it could affect the views of other students. Before winter break, they brought the former head of military intelligence for the Israel Defense Forces, Major General (ret) Schlomo Gazit, to campus. While Gazit clearly was a distinguished and important speaker, we cannot expect him to be unbiased. Obviously, he represented only the Israeli point of view.
After months of reading about events in the Middle East, Gazit's presentation was an excellent opportunity to hear the perspective of a person who is very knowledgeable about Middle East politics. If this were any other topic, it would simply offer the fascinating experience of hearing another side to an issue. My concerns, however, lie in the question of how many other students who were in attendance were conscious of the inherent bias in General Gazit's talk.
Did they take everything he said with a grain of salt, understanding that the Israeli side is just that, one side? Did they understand that Gazit's point of view is not necessarily held outside of America and Israel? Did every member of the audience, including those responsible for bringing the general, ask "Why is he saying that? What is his purpose?" How many students in attendance were willing to accept with blind faith everything that Gazit said?
This is not to say that General Gazit did not tell the truth. I simply hope it is understood that what he said wasn't an absolute truth, but rather truth from the perspective of one side. I challenge everyone, then, to think carefully about what they hear, and to take into account the source. This goes not only for the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, but also for life in general. Will you believe everything you are told without questioning, or will you challenge yourself to find your own answers?
Sean McDermott is a junior majoring in international letters and visual studies. He is president of the International Club.
