To educate students about Israel-Hamas war, XU YDSA invites two speakers

By Ben Dickison

Last Monday, Xavier’s Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) hosted the first panel on campus discussing the Israel-Hamas War joined by panelists Awad Halabi, PhD. and Elliot Ratzman, PhD. 

The event was hosted in the Arrupe Overlook on the first floor of the Gallagher Student Center and was attended by an abundance of staff and students. 

Both panelists shared their perspectives on the issue after an introduction from Xavier YDSA member Christian Cullen.

“Remember as we are talking about this, people are dying. We must approach this conversation with respect and empathy,” Cullen said before asking for attendees to observe a moment of silence for those who lost their lives during the war. 

Halabi is a professor of Palestinian history at Wright State University where he educates students on Modern Middle East History, European Colonialism and Expansion into the Middle East. He was the first of the two panelists to speak, each giving approximately half-hour long presentations on different aspects of the war. 

After an approximately 30 minute presentation from Halabi, Ratzman took the podium to discuss his perspective on the war.

Ratzman is a social ethicist who specializes in post-Holocaust Jewish history and currently serves as the chair of Jewish Studies at Earlham College in Richmond, Ind.

During his presentation, Ratzman expressed his disdain for the civilian deaths, suffering and injustice that have come with it. Ratzman also acknowledged his rare perspective as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America himself. He believes the majority of Jewish attitudes are being misrepresented.

“A lot of this war is being fought partially through memes…Memes are the end of thought. They are the end of critical thinking,” said Ratzman.

“Every single Israeli I know has lost family members, friends, acquaintances and more. I know because I’m tied into the Israeli peace camp. I’m tied into the Israeli academic world. I’m tied into young people in Israel,” Ratzman added.

“I think their differing backgrounds definitely enriched the audience’s understanding,” YDSA officer Victoria Strawbridge said.

“I didn’t expect so much content. I didn’t expect them to touch so deeply on social media and the way that the war is portrayed to us. I definitely enjoyed learning about the different, harmful ways that arguments are constructed and how the rhetoric can be dehumanizing,” Strawbridge added.

The Xavier chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America has been active for around two years. Philosophy professor Dr. Alexis Dianda acts as the clubs faculty advisor and junior accounting major Liam Fuller serves as the club president.

“As a club, we put a lot of preparation into this event. I’m amazed by the turnout from faculty as well as students. I hope the calls to action by our panelists towards the end of their speeches inspires students to know we can make positive change in the Cincinnati area, in our country and in the world,” Fuller said.