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The Vital Role of Dialogue on Campus: A Jewish Student Reflects on Recent Events
University of Exeter. Photo: Wikipedia.
Nearly 13 months after October 7, 2023, and amid the ongoing Gaza war, I find myself increasingly concerned about the lack of open discourse, particularly among those who identify as anti-Zionist on our campuses.
Many of the people who oppose Israel’s existence simply don’t know or understand the history, and there is an urgent need for constructive conversation on campus and elsewhere.
One such incident occurred at the University of Exeter on February 7, 2023, notably before the events of October 7th, where Yoseph Haddad, an Arab-Israeli activist and a foremost advocate for Israeli-Palestinian coexistence, was chased off campus with chants of “We don’t listen to racists” and “Apartheid off campus.”
This event has stuck with me in its utmost significance, since Haddad provides a nuanced and much-needed perspective, discrediting the accusation of Israeli apartheid and racism — since all citizens under Israeli law are treated equally, and all residents of Israel have a right to human dignity and freedom regardless of their religion or ethnicity.
The protesters ignored this and failed to engage in what could have been a thought-provoking and informative session, showing a lack of interest in reflecting on their preconceived beliefs about how “evil” Israel is perceived to be.
Following October 7th, university societies such as Friends of Palestine or Students for Justice of Palestine have continuously campaigned for a boycott of any university collaboration with Tel Aviv University, as seen in my own university — the University of Exeter.
Not only is the notion of boycotting Israel antisemitic –– demonizing and singling out Israel and its citizens among all other nations — but is also based in falsehoods. After engaging in my own dialogue with the university, I found that no such partnership between the school and Israel exists, only further highlighting a troubling trend — the commitment to blind protest over informed discussion.
One cannot overstate the importance of dialogue, especially in our universities — places that are supposed to be safe havens of further learning, where different viewpoints are not only heard but listened to and engaged with. This refusal fosters a hostile environment of division and an abundance of echo chambers, where assumptions thrive, leading to an increased polarized campus atmosphere, alienation of potential allies, and complete avoidance of meaningful discussion.
Further, this lack of open conversation on university campuses poses a larger threat for wider society, with overly simplified labels of “colonizers” or “apartheid supporters” being thrown around carelessly. Words like genocide have become intertwined in people’s daily vocabularies, without fact-checking and openly engaging in the debate, again: commitment to protest over discussion.
My own frustrations with this closed conversation has only fueled my passion for Zionism, a perspective I feel compelled to advocate for amid this hostile and inaccurate climate. Protests full of lies, calling us “spies” and “baby killers“ is something that we cannot tolerate.
Speakers and activists such Adiel Cohen are the advocates we need. People like this help work for peace and resolution, routinely refuting antisemitism and debunking anti-Israel propaganda, rather than stoking conflict and division. Cohen is a powerful example of how conversation can lead to change and understanding.
Our goals are reminiscent of each other: peace and the ability to live and exist in our shared land, and it’s only through debate and discussion that these ideas are realized.
The complexities of the Israel-Gaza conflict must lead to us prioritizing conversation and dialogue. We need to create spaces to hear our voices and room for civic discussion — and foster the environments needed to conduct real change.
Molly Phillips is a 19-year old Jewish student at the University of Exeter, and a CAMERA on Campus Fellow.
The post The Vital Role of Dialogue on Campus: A Jewish Student Reflects on Recent Events first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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After False Dawns, Gazans Hope Trump Will Force End to Two-Year-Old War
Palestinians walk past a residential building destroyed in previous Israeli strikes, after Hamas agreed to release hostages and accept some other terms in a US plan to end the war, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Exhausted Palestinians in Gaza clung to hopes on Saturday that US President Donald Trump would keep up pressure on Israel to end a two-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced the entire population of more than two million.
Hamas’ declaration that it was ready to hand over hostages and accept some terms of Trump’s plan to end the conflict while calling for more talks on several key issues was greeted with relief in the enclave, where most homes are now in ruins.
“It’s happy news, it saves those who are still alive,” said 32-year-old Saoud Qarneyta, reacting to Hamas’ response and Trump’s intervention. “This is enough. Houses have been damaged, everything has been damaged, what is left? Nothing.”
GAZAN RESIDENT HOPES ‘WE WILL BE DONE WITH WARS’
Ismail Zayda, 40, a father of three, displaced from a suburb in northern Gaza City where Israel launched a full-scale ground operation last month, said: “We want President Trump to keep pushing for an end to the war, if this chance is lost, it means that Gaza City will be destroyed by Israel and we might not survive.
“Enough, two years of bombardment, death and starvation. Enough,” he told Reuters on a social media chat.
“God willing this will be the last war. We will hopefully be done with the wars,” said 59-year-old Ali Ahmad, speaking in one of the tented camps where most Palestinians now live.
“We urge all sides not to backtrack. Every day of delay costs lives in Gaza, it is not just time wasted, lives get wasted too,” said Tamer Al-Burai, a Gaza City businessman displaced with members of his family in central Gaza Strip.
After two previous ceasefires — one near the start of the war and another earlier this year — lasted only a few weeks, he said; “I am very optimistic this time, maybe Trump’s seeking to be remembered as a man of peace, will bring us real peace this time.”
RESIDENT WORRIES THAT NETANYAHU WILL ‘SABOTAGE’ DEAL
Some voiced hopes of returning to their homes, but the Israeli military issued a fresh warning to Gazans on Saturday to stay out of Gaza City, describing it as a “dangerous combat zone.”
Gazans have faced previous false dawns during the past two years, when Trump and others declared at several points during on-off negotiations between Hamas, Israel and Arab and US mediators that a deal was close, only for war to rage on.
“Will it happen? Can we trust Trump? Maybe we trust Trump, but will Netanyahu abide this time? He has always sabotaged everything and continued the war. I hope he ends it now,” said Aya, 31, who was displaced with her family to Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
She added: “Maybe there is a chance the war ends at October 7, two years after it began.”
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Mass Rally in Rome on Fourth Day of Italy’s Pro-Palestinian Protests
A Pro-Palestinian demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a national protest for Gaza in Rome, Italy, October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Claudia Greco
Large crowds assembled in central Rome on Saturday for the fourth straight day of protests in Italy since Israel intercepted an international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza, and detained its activists.
People holding banners and Palestinian flags, chanting “Free Palestine” and other slogans, filed past the Colosseum, taking part in a march that organizers hoped would attract at least 1 million people.
“I’m here with a lot of other friends because I think it is important for us all to mobilize individually,” Francesco Galtieri, a 65-year-old musician from Rome, said. “If we don’t all mobilize, then nothing will change.”
Since Israel started blocking the flotilla late on Wednesday, protests have sprung up across Europe and in other parts of the world, but in Italy they have been a daily occurrence, in multiple cities.
On Friday, unions called a general strike in support of the flotilla, with demonstrations across the country that attracted more than 2 million, according to organizers. The interior ministry estimated attendance at around 400,000.
Italy’s right-wing government has been critical of the protests, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suggesting that people would skip work for Gaza just as an excuse for a longer weekend break.
On Saturday, Meloni blamed protesters for insulting graffiti that appeared on a statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside Rome’s main train station, where Pro-Palestinian groups have been holding a protest picket.
“They say they are taking to the streets for peace, but then they insult the memory of a man who was a true defender and builder of peace. A shameful act committed by people blinded by ideology,” she said in a statement.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive after Hamas terrorists staged a cross border attack on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 people hostage.
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Hamas Says It Agrees to Release All Israeli Hostages Under Trump Gaza Plan
Smoke rises during an Israeli military operation in Gaza City, as seen from the central Gaza Strip, October 2, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Hamas said on Friday it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages, alive or dead, under the terms of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza proposal, and signaled readiness to immediately enter mediated negotiations to discuss the details.