Calling a country “criminal” is dangerous, especially when the arguments for doing so are misleading and faulty, like in Sam Stevenson’s recent column (“UW must divest from Caterpillar,” Oct. 14). Unfortunately, many, including Mr. Stevenson, have fallen into this trap — urging the UW System Board of Regents to pull investments from certain corporations that do business with Israel. There’s no denying that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is complex on both sides. But adopting such a narrow-minded approach, as Stevenson does, neglects the real issues at hand and causes more harm than good in promoting peaceful resolutions.
Concern for the living situation of innocent Palestinians is undoubtedly important, and to assert that all Palestinians are terrorists would be foolish. However, using this as context to analyze the Israeli operation in Gaza earlier this year is misleading.
Roughly 1,200 Palestinians were, in fact, killed during Operation Cast Lead. Yet, several independent news agencies now estimate that two-thirds of those killed in the Gaza incursion belonged to Hamas or other terrorist organizations. In the end, roughly 300 people were identified as civilians — a disheartening number, but certainly not an intended one.
Though Stevenson parenthetically admits Hamas may have also been at guilt, Human Rights Watch has already taken a harder stance, saying the group’s targeting of Israeli civilians constitutes “blatant violations of the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.”
Stevenson argues that divestment from Caterpillar — one of the largest manufacturers of bulldozers — is one way the UW System can denounce the “cruel and gratuitous mistreatment of Palestinians.” But where’s the logic in this assertion? Should we then refuse to fly on Boeing airplanes simply because the corporation also produces fighter jets? One should also note the other side — in the past few years, several Palestinians have used Caterpillar bulldozers to kill innocent Israelis in the streets of Jerusalem.
But if divestment from companies and products used by the Israel Defense Forces is the best avenue toward coexistence and security, one ought to consider divesting from some other companies. Intel chips, developed by Israeli researchers, are used by the IDF. Should we then not use the majority of our computers? Israeli forces also use Jeeps, so should we also not buy Jeep SUVs?
These are clearly ridiculous notions, as is the entire notion of divestment from Israel. The real focus should not be on divestment, but rather investment.
Peace won’t come from single-minded initiatives, seeking only to blame one side. Peace will come from education and creative efforts to promote dialogue, reconciliation and humanitarian assistance. Unfortunately, these concepts are all lacking in the efforts of those who urge divestment.
Abram Shanedling
Senior, journalism, political science, Middle-Eastern Studies
President, Madison-Israel Public Affairs Committee (MadPAC)
[email protected]