BAR HARBOR—Since Sunday, April 28, approximately 75 students have set up an encampment on the lawn of the College of the Atlantic (COA) to show solidarity with the people of Palestine.
I am positively impressed by the thoughtfulness of this statement and the associated demands. Especially the centrality of concern for human suffering, and finding personal and local ways of taking responsibility. With reasonable and possibly achievable goals. It is a good opening for investigation and dialogue. Given what we know so far of the students and COA administrators involved, I am hopeful for progress and success. I hope that there is no attempt by any outside COA to interfere for their own personal or political purposes.
As an American Jew and Zionist, my heart stops at the word 'genocide.' But given the record of the Netanyahu himself, his successive and increasingly extremist administrations, and his current coalition and cabinet - it seems inescapable. As does the plight of Palestinians in Gaza - caught between the terrorism of Hamas and the state terrorism of the current Netanyahu regime. For this reason the protests are necessary
It will be difficult to sort out and understand the ties any academic institution has with any government entity. Science is essentially collaborative. I hope COA's emphasis on science and society - COAs mission, priorities, and habits of mind - will help in the task ahead.
ThankYou.
I am positively impressed by the thoughtfulness of this statement and the associated demands. Especially the centrality of concern for human suffering, and finding personal and local ways of taking responsibility. With reasonable and possibly achievable goals. It is a good opening for investigation and dialogue. Given what we know so far of the students and COA administrators involved, I am hopeful for progress and success. I hope that there is no attempt by any outside COA to interfere for their own personal or political purposes.
As an American Jew and Zionist, my heart stops at the word 'genocide.' But given the record of the Netanyahu himself, his successive and increasingly extremist administrations, and his current coalition and cabinet - it seems inescapable. As does the plight of Palestinians in Gaza - caught between the terrorism of Hamas and the state terrorism of the current Netanyahu regime. For this reason the protests are necessary
It will be difficult to sort out and understand the ties any academic institution has with any government entity. Science is essentially collaborative. I hope COA's emphasis on science and society - COAs mission, priorities, and habits of mind - will help in the task ahead.