Back in 2003, netwmd.com spearheaded an effort to oppose the Palestinian Solidarity Movement's (PSM) "conference" at Ohio State University (OSU). Despite the fact that the PSM is basically a group of pro-Palestinian terrorist supporters and enablers, Ohio's "mainstream" Jewish community, including the Ohio State Hillel, did nothing to oppose the 2003 hate fest at OSU - this is even after repeated requests on my part for their assistance. [1]

Yesterday, I received a form letter from Hillel decrying the PSM, and asking for money to "help Jewish students respond to the one-sided, anti-Israeli propaganda of the Palestinian Solidarity Movement on campuses across America." The Hillel's letter talks about the PSM as if it were something new and uses the usual NGO money-raising scare-tactics:

I'm sure you care about the safety of Jewish students - which is why I am writing you today about an alarming and growing movement on college campuses which is threatening their security.

It's called the Palestine Solidarity Movement, and it is calling on all universities to divest themselves of any financial interests in companies doing business with Israel.

Worse, the Palestine Solidarity Movement calls for an end to "the existence of the apartheid ... State of Israel."

Enclosed with the letter is a bright red and yellow insert and envelope making it very convenient for frightened Jews to get out their checkbooks and send money to Hillel. The letter ends almost apologetically, stating,

I wish I could focus your attention solely on Hillel's work to keep young Jews connected to their culture - but there are times we simply must be more urgent in our request. This is one of those times. Please join me in supporting Hillel by sending your urgent contribution today.

Hillel's letter rightly enumerates the PSM's evils, but does not give credit for the source of its information. Strange. The same information has been posted on netwmd.com's website page dedicated to the PSM, which has been up and running since 2003. We worked for 2 months researching the PSM.

According to Rick Dorfman, writing for Arutz Sheva, Hillel dropped the ball at the 2002 PSM conference at the University of Michigan, not just at OSU:

At U-M, the Michigan Student Zionists organization planned a counter-demonstration featuring speakers, videos, rallies and prayers. Hundreds of community members came out to help demonstrate against PSM, but Hillel refused to co-sponsor the events. The Executive Director of the U-M Hillel, Michael Brooks, went a step further when he declared Hillel's opposition to MSZ's efforts, encouraging parents of alumni not to send their children to MSZ's events, as they "fan the flames of hatred." Hillel instead engaged in a range of pro-Israel activities in the week preceding the conference, including passing out falafel in the middle of campus. Apparently, we are supposed to just pass the humus as the enemies of Judaism use universities as platforms to debate methods of our destruction.

The situation was in no way improved at Ohio State, where the bulk of the 2003 PSM met to discuss strategies for the upcoming year. The campus hosted Alan Dershowitz to speak on Israel's behalf the week before the conference, but again Hillel resisted efforts of Jewish students to demonstrate against the actual conference. The morning that the PSM conference began, I confronted OSU Hillel Director Joseph Kohane in his office. He told me that he did not want to provide publicity for the PSM and therefore rightly rejected the efforts of Jewish students to protest the conference. He then ironically proceeded to host his own press conference. In essence, his argument is that it is more important not to draw attention to the Palestinian point of view than it is to inspire Jewish students.

I guess I'm happy that Hillel is finally speaking out against the PSM, but why now all of a sudden? Wasn't the Oslo debacle, 9/11, the "second Intifada," the Bali bombing, etc., etc., enough? And to ask for money, too?

Fine. Get out your checkbooks. Feel good about your tax deductions. But what about some direct action? This is one Jew who's been putting his money where his mouth is for a long time. I'm just sick and tired of all the guilt-ridden, self-loathing, scared Jews who have been aiding and abetting terrorism through inaction -- or flat-out supporting terrorism, like the PSM's Adam Shapiro and Ora Wise.

Jews that would destroy Israel -- or whom only support Israel by collecting money. What's next?