10 March 21 • 2019
jn
T
his week,
Michigan Rep.
Rashida Tlaib
tweeted her support
for a faculty vote at
California’
s Pisker
College to end a study
abroad program at
Haifa University. Why
did a Michigan mem-
ber of Congress, elected for her com-
mitment to diversity and opportunity,
become a champion for boycotting
Haifa University?
I was born and raised in Haifa in an
apartment with a back porch facing
Haifa University. My brother is a grad-
uate of Haifa University in Near East
Studies and Arabic. He chose this uni-
versity because it was always focused
on providing access and opportunity
for the large number of Arab-Israeli
students from northern Israel.
To boycott a pillar for integration
and opportunity is a deliberate and
sinister act. Haifa University has the
largest percentage of Arab-Israeli stu-
dents — more than 41 percent of the
student body.
What is especially outrageous is
the initiative to boycott the university
is being promoted by a Democratic
member of Congress who claims
to represent women and minority
causes. Haifa University is focused
on increasing the role of women and
minorities on its faculty. Just last year,
Professor Mouna Maroun of the Sagol
Department of Neurobiology was fea-
tured as one of the top 20 female sci-
entists and is the first Arab woman in
Israel to hold a senior faculty position
in neuroscience as a university depart-
ment head.
Professor Maroun, in her own
words, summarized the importance
of Haifa University to the cause of
inclusion and diversity in Israel: “
As
an Arab woman, my belief is that the
revolution toward gender and ethnic
equality starts top-down at academic
institutions. Recruiting outstand-
ing women as faculty members —
Jewish, Arab, Ethiopian and Haredi
— especially in sciences and STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics) subjects is one of the
first steps to ensure the representation
of women in higher education and to
convey a clear message to the younger
generation that there is no glass ceiling
for girls.
”
The BDS (Boycott, Divestment,
Sanctions) movement is, by design, an
instrument for damaging and isolating
Israel. Haifa University’
s track record
counters the basic narrative of the
BDS movement. It is, therefore, not
a coincidence that boycotting Haifa
University has become a priority. It is
very unfortunate that Rashida Tlaib
is choosing to support a path of igno-
rance and hate against an institution
that promotes coexistence, diversity
and knowledge. ■
Hannan Lis is a business owner from
Farmington Hills who is committed to the
prosperity of Michigan and Israel.
views
commentary
What Is She Thinking?
Hannan Lis
Greenberg’s View
Complete kitchen
and bathroom
remodeling along
with furniture design and
installation including
quartz, granite, wood and
many other materials.
248.851.6989
Lois Haron, Allied Member ASID
248.851.6989
Lois Haron, Allied Member ASID
Designs
IN DECORATOR WOOD
& LAMINATES, LTD.
It Doesn’
t Have to Cost A Fortune . . .
Only Look Like It!
PURCHASE TICKETS TODAY!
DSO.ORG/NEIGHBORHOOD OR 313.576.5111
THE
DSO
COMES
TO
YOUR
NEIGHBORHOOD
MADE POSSIBLE BY THE WILLIAM DAVIDSON FOUNDATION
DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
PRESENTS
2018-2019
CONCERT
SERIES
David Danzmayr, Blake Pouliot, vi
ol
i
n
WEBERN Langsamer
Sat
z, arr. Schwarz
MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto
SCHUBERT Symphony No. 8, “Unfi
nished”
J.
STRAUSS,
JR. On
t
he
Beaut
i
f
ul
Bl
ue
Danube
SCHUBERT
AND
BLUE
DANUBE
TICKETS
START AT
$25
($10 for students
and kids)
Thu.,
Mar.
28
at
7:30
p.m.
in
Southfi
eld
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
Fri.,
Mar.
29
at
8
p.m.
in
Clinton
Township
Macomb Center for the Performing Arts
Sun.,
Mar.
31
at
3
p.m.
in
Beverly
Hills
Seligman Performing Arts Center
ASK ABOUT PREFERRED SEATING
POULIOT
$10 tickets for
veterans, active
military, and family.
Visit
dso.org/military