Jews, Palestinians remember day Israel was declared state

JONATHAN YOUNG Last week, Ross Neihaus, a second-year biology
student, and others wore T-shirts honoring the 54th anniversary of
the state of Israel. But some on campus feel there is little to
celebrate.

By Peijean Tsai

Daily Bruin Contributor

For students, especially those who have cultural ties to either
the Jewish or Palestinian community, this time of year marks the
anniversary of an important era in Middle Eastern history.

For many Jewish students, today is a celebration of Yom
Ha’atzmaut, or Israeli Independence Day, the anniversary of
Israel’s declaration as a state.

Meanwhile, some supporters of the Palestinian community define
the creation of Israel by honoring the Day of al-Nakba, or
“the catastrophe.” To them, the day marks the
anniversary of when Palestinians lost their homeland in 1948.

Yom Ha’atzmaut falls on the fifth of the Hebrew month
Iyar, usually at the end of April or beginning of May. Each year,
Palestinians recognize May 15 as their day of remembrance, as they
do not follow the Jewish calendar.

Many Israel supporters today will honor the independence day by
assembling at Meyerhoff Park at noon and at a block party this
evening in Westwood, which will feature song, dance and Middle
Eastern cuisine.

The events are sponsored by the Jewish Student Union, Hillel
Council and Bruins for Israel, and are part of a week-long
commemoration of Israel’s 54th year of independence.

The Muslim Students Association considered staging a silent
protest today, but as of Tuesday afternoon, had not organized a
formal counter-demonstration.

The Israeli independence day is not easily defined, with
community members having varied views on its significance.

For UCLA history professor David Meyers, Israeli independence
day is significant for two reasons: It is the anniversary of the
creation of a new political state and the elimination of British
mandatory rule over the region now called Israel and the Occupied
Territories. The day also recognizes the end “of the
condition of homelessness in which the Jewish people existed for
2,000 years.”

Whereas many nations celebrate independence days as if they have
an almost religious significance, “this is even more so the
case in Israel,” Meyers said, adding that many Jews say a
special independence day prayer.

Despite the current situation in the Middle East, Megan
Michaels, a fourth-year psychology student and chair for Bruins of
Israel, said there are no political motives behind today’s
events ““ the day is purely celebratory.

People might bring signs to the noon assembly, but none of the
sponsors are planning to bring signs, she said.

“This is not about current events. We’re here to
celebrate independence day,” Michaels said.

Events like the independence day celebration will help people
see “the beauty of Israel” and the importance of its
establishment as a democratic nation in the Middle East, said
Gideon Estes, a third-year Jewish studies student and external vice
president of JSU.

For others, the day is not one of joyful celebration, but a
solemn day of remembrance.

“We don’t normally agree with the
celebration,” said MSA President Bilal Khan, a third-year
computer science student.

“What people are celebrating is bloodshed and the
occupation of land,” he added.

Meyers, meanwhile, said he understands why 1948 ““ a year
when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians lost claims to their
land, he said ““ is viewed as a year of catastrophe by many
Palestinians.

“Both groups have a claim to Palestine, and that’s
the tragedy of it,” Meyers said.

He also said he hopes when people celebrate the creation of
Israel, they reserve a portion of their thoughts for Palestinians,
who have little to celebrate on the day.

For Meyers, it is difficult to separate the anniversary from
current political violence.

“It’s very hard for me to celebrate this
year,” he said.

Any counter-demonstration today would have to be done in
silence, said MSA member Ghaith Mahmood, a fourth-year
international development studies and business-economics
student.

“We don’t want to censor or drown out their voices.
They have every right to speak,” Mahmood said.

“It’s a tragic day not because of a refusal of the
Jewish homeland, but because the Palestinians were pushed off their
land. We are mourning that fact,” he added.

Mahmood said this week is “not a political week,” as
the MSA is observing Islamic Awareness Week with a series of
lectures and a table on Bruin Walk.

“It’s about educating about Islamic heritage and
culture,” he said.

With reports from Kelly Rayburn, Daily Bruin Senior Staff.