Re: "S.A. Debates Iran Stance," News, Apr. 28

To the Editor:

I myself am an ardent and proud supporter of the State of Israel - its right to exist as a Jewish democracy, in peace and security. That is why I have chosen to write this letter. I am also, like most people on this campus, against the idea of a hostile Iranian regime acquiring nuclear weapons. In fact, the mere thought of it makes me nauseous. However, I believe the resolution that Cornell Israel Public Affairs Committee (CIPAC) is attempting to push through the S.A. is both inappropriate and counterproductive.

If CIPAC's goal is to increase on campus support for the State of Israel and strong US-Israeli relations, in their latest attempt they have utterly failed. Instead they have initiated a great polarization on the Cornell campus which has only served to mobilize Israel's enemies and embarrass the Jewish community. It has also ostracized many on campus groups including the Iranian Students Organization, which has an amazing track record with Jewish student groups.

In the past I have supported CIPAC and their actions, especially when they have sought to strengthen and build relations with other groups on campus. If CIPAC had approached this issue more sensitively, they would have had much more success and support (a coalition of CIPAC cronies in the SA and on campus does not count for strong support in my book.) No one wants to see nuclear weapons in the hands of the fanatical Ahmadinejad. Unfortunately, one wouldn't be able to tell that from the current campus debate.

David Greenky '07

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