A new Binghamton University student group is already facing opposition on campus only weeks after being chartered by the Student Association.
Members of the Binghamton University Zionist Organization (BUZO) seek to promote the reestablishment of Palestine as a homeland for the Jewish people. Modeled after these founding ideals, BUZO is preparing for a busy semester as plans to bring in speakers and ideas for rallies are under way.
“We want to increase overall awareness about the problems in Israel. We want to teach people more about it,” said Dan Rabinowitz, the executive vice president of the organization.
Though the group has only had one meeting so far, it is ambitious in bringing in more members.
“Even though we are pro-Israel, anyone can join. You don’t have to be Jewish,” Rabinowitz said. “We want people to get involved and we want to complete our E-Board.”
Rabinowitz also expressed a desire for the organization to debate anti-Zionist groups that exist on campus.
The president of the organization, also named Dan Rabinowitz, said members of the group had been distressed to learn that many of the flyers they posted on Lecture Hall bulletin boards advertising their general interest meetings had been pulled off.
“At first I assumed that the cleaners had taken them off, but then I found a flier that said ‘Zionism = Racism,’” he said. “I am very frustrated.”
Another flyer found had the words “End the Occupation” and “Free Palestine” scrawled across it in pen.
The group’s president said he was disappointed to encounter negativity aimed toward the group.
“We’re in a college and we assume that people don’t still have these stupid racial feelings against each other,” Rabinowitz said.
Group members stressed the fact that the group is not meant to be political.
“We planned this group to be cultural. We’re registered under the VPMA as multicultural,” President Rabinowitz added.
Rabinowitz said he invites everyone, even those with opposing views, to come to BUZO’s general interest meeting taking place tonight at 8:30 in the Old University Union, Room 103.