Hannah Stein

“We are a scarred nation,” said Jerusalem Post Editor-in-Chief, Avi Mayer, during his visit to this university’s Hillel on Nov. 13. Mayer, an alumnus of this university, and Mitzpeh’s former opinion editor, stepped into his role at the Jerusalem Post in March of this year, less than a year before the onset of the Israel-Hamas War.  

“The war in Israel is not confined to the Israeli and Gazan territories but culturally extended across the world,” Mayer told students at this university.

His visit to campus was arranged by Terps for Israel amid Mayer’s visit to America for the Israel rally in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 14. Mayer facilitated discussions with students about how this university is handling antisemitism and the war. He also structured conversations to gauge the thought process of Jewish students. 

“When [the administration is] being only responsive, that feels like abandonment,” senior Elan Moskowitz said. 

Students expressed feeling abandoned by this university’s response to the war, antisemitic rhetoric and danger instead of taking on a proactive role. When the war broke out, this university sent a statement to students condemning hatred. Later, this university sent more specific statements condemning antisemitism and Islamophobia. 

Many Jewish students shared they feel most of the student body is not well educated on the war. Instead of looking deeper into the facts and the narrative, they take information at face value, students expressed. 

“You don’t realize there’s layers to things when you see it at face value,” one student said. 

In his current role, Mayer urges reporters to remain ethical and fair in reporting both sides of the story. The sides, however, need to be on equal footing, he said. 

There are fundamental moral differences between Israel and Hamas, he said. It is Israel, a democratic society that is highly imperfect, versus Hamas, a terrorist group committing genocide, said Mayer. 

It is okay to be skeptical of information coming from any government, but it is essential to note the differences between skepticism regarding Israel and skepticism regarding Hamas, he said. 

He talked about the measures Israel has taken to mitigate civilian deaths, in contrast to impediments Hamas has placed on Palestinian civilians’ ability to move South. 

As a “serious newsroom,” the Jerusalem Post has a responsibility to report on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Mayer said. Journalism, however, is not advocacy. Journalists exist to convey “the good, the bad [and] the ugly,” Mayer said. 

Mayer discussed the brutal and graphic situations his reporters have been exposed to throughout the past five weeks. It is emotionally taxing to many, so Israel and his newsroom offered mental health resources, he said. 

At this point, an Israeli Jewish journalist’s role is to ensure “no one forgets what happened that day,” Mayer said,”I’ve seen things I can never unsee.” 

One silver lining throughout this war has been the unity among Jewish people worldwide, according to Mayer. He hopes this unity extends beyond the war. 

He explained that although criticism of Israel’s government is important, it often morphs into antisemitic rhetoric like delegitimizing the Jewish people’s right to the land. 

“I don’t think there’s a distinction between anti-zionism and antisemitism,” he said. “Anti-zionism is discrimination against Jews. That is invariably antisemitism.”

Students should only engage in dialogue with other students who want Israelis and Palestinians to live peacefully together, said Mayer. Mayer explained that discourse between people who do not share the same values regarding humanity and peace is futile.

Discussing the future of Israeli society Mayer hopes for, he said “a future of peace and prosperity and the ability to send your kids to school and not worry if they’ll come home or not.” 

Back in Israel, life gradually returns to normal, albeit a new normal. He said more people are roaming the streets and businesses reopen daily. 

Israelis, though, constantly still think about the war. 

“We are a scarred nation right now, in mourning, wrought with uncertainty,” Mayer said.