In a spirited, and at times heated meeting on Tuesday night in White Gravenor, David Schenker of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy discussed the escalating unrest that has plagued Israelis and Palestinians in recent weeks. Introduced by Georgetown Israel Alliance president Jason Wuliger (COL ’02), Schenker addressed more than 100 people in a 30-minute speech followed by a series of questions and answers.

The meeting was held in response to the violence occurring in the Middle East after the widely publicized Palestinian destruction of Joseph’s Tomb and the Israeli Army’s killing of 12-year-old Palestinian Mohammad Jemal al-Durah.

“We have a very diverse crowd this evening . as well as a disturbing situation in the Middle East, and we need to work on this,” Wuliger said at the start of the discussion.

Affiliated with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Schenker stated that “the peace process is in the midst of a downward spiral . not only in Gaza but on Lebanon borders as well.” Schenker is also a commentator for National Public Radio, the Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, a contributor to the Los Angeles Times as well as a former consultant of Middle Eastern Affairs to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Wuliger said that, similar to the devastating Middle East situation, some universities here in the United States have experienced backlash and outrage regarding the violent events of the past two weeks, while Georgetown students, “whether pro-Israel or pro-Palestine,” have been committed to making sure that this “violence doesn’t spread.”

Following last Thursday’s two-sided vigil commemorating both Palestinians and Israelis who have died during the recent iddle Eastern fighting and violence, Schenker said, “a spirited debate such as this is always positive, so long as you can stay within boundaries, as there is always the opportunity to see a different perspective.”

At times, however, staying within these boundaries was difficult for some. During the meeting, Wuliger and Schenker fielded questions during a session in which some members of the audience shouted out their and opinions rather than raising their hands in an orderly fashion. At one point, Wuliger had to shout over four different voices, saying, “If you’re not interested in a discussion, then you should leave.” They were supported by two Department of Public Safety officers.

Despite these outbursts and comments made by some audience members questioning Schenker’s credibility, the Georgetown Israel Alliance facilitated an hour-long discussion regarding a sensitive topic for Palestinians and Israelis alike. Wuliger described his desire for everyone “to know the facts, the truths of the situations . and to make sure that Georgetown stays peaceful.”

Erik Lamb (SFS ’04), who attended the meeting, summed it upby stating, “Notwithstanding some of the rhetoric presented by both sides, at least there was an open discussion where everyone’s opinions could be heard.”