Dear Editor:
I wanted to clarify my position on Stephen Walt and his speech, as I was misrepresented by the Daily in the Nov. 29 front-page article entitled "Students discuss Walt's Tuesday speech at Friends of Israel event."
I am extremely critical of Walt and his thesis on the Israel lobby. Contrary to how I was quoted, while I earnestly feel that Walt himself is not anti-Semitic, I am tempted to describe his product, the book "The Israel Lobby," as such.
I agree wholeheartedly with a lot of Walt's purported goals. I am right there with him on the need for a two-state solution. I, too, support greater conversation on America's relationship with Israel, and I am uncomfortable that there exists a certain taboo associated with topics pertaining to Israel. These topics should be questioned and engaged like all other issues: openly, honestly and creatively. So then, what's the problem ?
A year ago at this time, The Primary Source created its infamous Christmas carol, and Source editors claimed they were acting on these very same grounds. The Source claimed that its motive for the "O Come All Ye Black Folk" carol was to generate greater discourse on the issue of affirmative action, which it felt wasn't allowed proper debate.
The issue, of course, has nothing to do with the end goal (open discourse), which is entirely noble when treated properly. The issue is the means by which to achieve that.
Like the issue of affirmative action, issues related to Israel are contentious because of their historical lessons and implications. People are emotionally connected to these current issues, so they must be treated judiciously and conscientiously. Walt, in my opinion, fails to do this. The Primary Source failed - and continues to fail - to do this. (They fail differently, of course.)
Walt fails by employing imprecise language and logic and by lacking an expected degree of scholarship in his research which, in turn, leaves the Jewish community and others feeling offended and disillusioned, and rightfully so.
Instead of helping to foster more open discussion, Walt creates a hostile environment that only manages to suppress the greater discourse he claims to be fighting for!
Louis Mittel
Class of 2010
