By Chris Benevento, News Staff

As of late, it would seem as though the fate of the Israel-Palestine conflict rests solely on the shoulders of Northeastern’s student body. From protests, to fake evictions, to suspensions, one would think that Northeastern University is where change will come.

But it isn’t. It isn’t even close.

It’s a career-focused college where students seek to better themselves through an advanced, experiential-based curriculum. Unlike the Brandeises of the world, Northeastern claims no religious nor ideological affiliation and with the exception of some select professors and their alleged comments, takes no definitive stance on the conflict.

And this is what both sides of this debate can’t seem to get their heads around. Per the university’s policies, all student groups are permitted to host speakers and events that speak to their interests. What they choose to expose themselves to is both at their discretion and, more importantly, their right.

So when Huskies for Israel chooses to host Israeli Defense Force soldiers, and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) decide to disrupt the event, guess who looks unprofessional.

Now before I continue, I must stress that I don’t take either side with this issue as I have no ties to it culturally, religiously or otherwise. But it is certainly hard to ignore the childish antics of one side of this campus-feud.

When a student group stoops to the level of placing mock eviction notices under the door of their fellow campus peers and actively disrupts sanctioned group events, it takes away from the credibility of their message. If an on-campus group is hosting an event that you don’t like, do what every other student on campus does – don’t go.

Northeastern is not in the middle of a revolution. Our campus is 5,500 miles from Gaza. It is a center for learning and education. That being said, as students, we should be engaging each other in a civil fashion. Be it round tables, debates or socials between groups, there are other ways to express ideas and sentiments outside of childish pranks and disruptive antics.

Both sides also need to acknowledge the grim reality that neither of them will ever be swayed by the other. You can chant catchy phrases in the cold until your voice goes hoarse, the other side will never back down from its view – something that has become clear over decades of bloodshed in the Middle East.

It’s high time that these student groups realize the unique opportunity they have to approach this conflict from a different angle – an angle of civility and reason. I can guarantee that the Faculty Senate will have trouble upholding suspensions for civil debate and discussion.

Am I saying that either Huskies for Israel or the SJP will ever see eye to eye? No, they probably never will, just as the Palestinians and the Israelis will never come to an agreement. It’s an age-old problem without any sign of a solution – just another issue that will divide the world for years to come.

But this is America – not Israel, not Palestine – and in America, radical and disruptive movements rarely enact any change (the Occupy movement to name one). It is the peaceful, open-minded and intelligent movements that get people to think – to question the accepted norms.

Disruption only kills any credibility an organization has. In my own opinion, I don’t really take either side seriously.

But I haven’t given up hope for these organizations. I will continue to hold out for the day the headlines read “Two student groups engage in dialogue to discuss world issue” instead of “Faculty Senate discusses suspension of Students for Justice in Palestine.”

-Chris Benevento can be reached at [email protected].