Pro-Palestine group erects fence, checkpoints

A student group called the Free Palestine Action Network erected a mock refugee camp on College Green yesterday and Monday, attracting interest and debate from passers-by.

The display -- complete with fencing, fake barbed wire and a checkpoint, all encircling a makeshift tent in the center -- was specifically based on the West Bank district of Qalqiliya, which organizers described as "completely surrounded by the wall."

Organizers say the display -- which was built as part of Palestine Awareness Week -- was meant to draw attention to the barrier Israel is building along the border of the West Bank. The display also prompted members of Penn's Pro-Israel Activism Committee to hand out flyers detailing the group's position on the West Bank barrier.

Many Palestinians, labeling the barrier a "landgrab," maintain that the barrier has encroached on Palestinian territory.

"It's just an act of aggression by the Israeli government," said College sophomore and FPAN member Ahmed Hassan. "The wall has already destroyed thousands of homes and over 250 businesses."

FPAN set up several informational signs as well. One accused the Israelis of using the barrier for "creating ghettoes." Another slammed U.S. aid to Israel, saying that funds to Israel have amounted to almost $135 billion since 1949.

Yet another featured an article by writer Mina Hamilton that said, "Unless we're tax resisters, we, U.S. taxpayers, are all accessories to this ... death and destruction."

FPAN is petitioning the University to end its investments in "all companies whose business promotes the Israeli occupation."

College sophomore and FPAN board member Nathan Piper pointed to Penn's investment in heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar, which sells bulldozers to the Israeli government.

"The very same bulldozers that have killed peaceful activists," Hassan added.

PennPAC members countered these positions, offering explanations for Israel's actions.

"Some of the things [FPAN is] saying are just wrong," Engineering senior Raphi Levy said, emphasizing that the fence is not electrified but rather is equipped with electronic sensors.

"This is not a border. It can be moved," he said. "It goes where people are being shot at. It has no political implications."

College senior David Rendsburg agreed, calling the barrier "a response to terrorism, not a response to a Palestinian state."

The College Republicans were quick to offer their support.

"We thought that this was a good way to show our support for Israel," said College junior Stephanie Steward, chairwoman of the College Republicans. "We're actually speaking with the head of PennPAC and looking to do some kind of rally."

Although they disagreed on the issue at hand, both FPAN and PennPAC members agreed that discussion was important.

"It's good to have this discussion," Piper said. "We're not upset about" any disagreement.

College senior and PennPAC member Ted Rosenbaum said FPAN's display was "done in a very respectful way."

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.