This is what professors like to call a teachable moment.

As one of the few Jewish faculty (albeit emerita) associated with Whitman, I feel compelled to weigh in on the report that Jewish students are “afraid” to take classes with professors who signed the Statement on Palestine.

I read and reread the statement, trying to determine what sparked student concern. I found the statement to be nuanced, balanced and sensitive to the real pain felt on both sides of the Gaza conflict.

I suspect that two terms, genocide and settler colonialism, provoked students. These are terms with specific definitions, and they are, sadly, accurate.

For those who most identify with the Palestinian cause, it is important to acknowledge that Hamas is a terrorist organization that, at least until now, has lacked support from the majority of Palestinians. I used to teach a seminar on Che Guevara, who is often considered the prophet of revolutionary resistance. Che condemned all targeting of civilians as terrorism, not revolutionary struggle.

 For those who most identify with Israel, it is important to acknowledge Israel’s occupation and oppression of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Thousands of Israelis have protested, at least until now, against their government over these policies for decades.

 The Hamas attack was horrific. So is Israeli retaliation that has killed thousands and once again displaced Palestinians.

Not all Palestinians support Hamas, and not all Jews or Israelis support the policies that have created the context for the struggle.

College is a place to have discussions and learn from each other. The discussions are perhaps most important when the issues provoke such deep emotions. There is room for both criticism and for understanding.

These engaged faculty should be sought out, not shunned, precisely for those conversations.