Articles: A call for tolerance

The university's chapter of Hillel is proud of the role that it has played, in collaboration with other faith groups, in fostering a campus environment that is tolerant of freedom of expression. Initiatives like the Interfaith Dialogue Project, of which Hillel is a co-sponsor, have been important in creating a community where students can engage with one another constructively. Almost 30 students from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds meet regularly to learn from and about one another. While many of the themes and presentations that constitute part of Palestinian Solidarity Week differ from the views espoused by Hillel, including offensive misappropriation of the Holocaust, we are supportive of the fact that the campus can host such an event without major confrontation. The ability of students to stage such an event peacefully bespeaks the long-standing efforts of all faith communities at the university. Despite the overall culture of tolerance for which students should be applauded, there have unfortunately been isolated confrontational incidents perpetrated by a handful of individuals, acting of their own accord and without organizational affiliation. Hillel unconditionally condemns all acts of intolerance, whether questioning Israel's legitimacy or promotion of Islamophobia and remains wholeheartedly committed to building a peace-loving environment where constructive and open dialogue about important issues can occur.