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Here is a brief of our second event this semester Fall 2004
The "Freedom of Personal Lifestyle" lecture began at 12:15PM on
November 2nd, in NAC 1/211. Attendance was around 15 people. This event
was cordinated with the CCNY SAGA (Straight and Gay Alliance)and the
Zionist Organization of America.
I gave the introductory speech, describing Judaism's view and
treatment of alternative lifestyles, which was followed by a video. The
video agreed with my point that both Judaism and Islam view
homosexuality as a sin, but the real difference lies in how the two
societies treat treat the LGBT community. Within the Palestinian
community, gays are publicly humiliated, tortured, and sometimes
killed. In Israel, it is treated as a personal matter, and the law
regards them as normal citizens who may serve in the military, and
entitled to some benefits of partnership. Israel is the only place in
the Middle East where homosexuality is not a capital offense, where gay
parades, clubs, and organizations are allowed to exist under protection
of the law.
In Israel, gays are treated as fellow people, regarless of
orientation. The same cannot be said about the strictly conformist
societies surrouding Israel.
Following the video, Dror Elner, campus shaliach of the ZOA introduced
Ali to speak. Ali, a Palestinian Christian who is gay, described two
personal stories that proved the undemocratic nature of the Palestinian
community, and included personal details on why he chose to leave his
society to live in Israel.
When asked why he did not immigrate to Europe or America, he
expressed a desire to remain close to his family, and birthplace.
Describing Israel as a beautiful, diverse, and tolerant country, Ali is
living proof that the Leftists are wrong when they say "Israel is a
racist state."
The reaction of the audience was positive. After CCNY Hillel's
social/political event of the semester, Ali packed up to continue on
his three month tour of campuses around the country. The meeting
adjourned around 2PM.
The Hillel Organization strongly supports the State of Israel.
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