Editor’s Note: San Diego State University student Anthony Berteaux told about 400 people at a StandWithUs dinner on Sunday night, Dec. 7, why he changed his position from anti- Israel to pro- Israel. As we reported in our story on Monday, he received a standing ovation. Berteaux graciously has give us permission to reprint the text of his remarks.
By Anthony Berteaux
Five months ago, I sent the following message to the president of Students for Justice in Palestine, “Way to go! Just wanted to let you know that I stand with your position on Divestment 100 percent and your letter was way more articulate than the opposing letter. Yes, what’s happening in Israel right now stinks of the same inhumane racism and bigotry we’ve come to see from the Jim Crow laws and apartheid. If our campus wants to truly pride in diversity and equality, they would see that divestment is the first step towards equality and justice for all.”
Today, I stand here, as a former supporter of Divestment, to tell you, that I was wrong.
Five months ago, I blindly supported the BDS movement on our campus, I was one of them. I discussed my support of BDS on the radio, many of my friends were in SJP, and the many minority communities I was in, were fully invested in BDS. I even planned last summer to join the campaign against Israel. I was emblematic of many college students across the U.S, being anti-Israel in the name of social justice and equality.
Over the summer, a violent and hateful picture posted to the SJP page was brought to my attention. It was in response to our school’s decision to turn down Divestment and it stated “Ethnic Cleansing Starts Here” a mockery of our school motto and a sign of disrespect to our student body.
In the instant I saw the picture, I questioned it’s hateful motive, so as an opinion writer for the school paper, I set out to interview various Jewish students on campus to get their perspective on the issue. As students opened themselves up to me, I saw that they felt attacked, and isolated on a campus where they should feel safe. I knew in the testimonies I heard, that they felt voiceless.
I published the article, stating my change in stance regarding Divestment and condemned the organization for being hateful. I condemned them for reducing Israel to a caricature specific to their narrative. I condemned them for marginalizing students on our campus.
In just 2 days after publishing, I received over 30 messages, calling for my resignation from the paper, calling me a baby killer, a racist apartheid supporter, and other hateful slurs I can’t mention right now. I have been threatened on campus and off, online and offline and have lost friendships I valued in the process.
I’ve lost my sense of safety on our campus, but what I’ve lost in taking this important stance, I’ve gained in an amazing community through Stand With Us and other Israel advocates, not only within our campus but across the country.
Last month, I attended InFocus 2014, with fellow SDSU students and I was simply blown away by the united narrative we all share in fighting the bigotry and hatred of SJP and the BDS campaign. I connected with 175 student leaders from across North America and has seen the amazing work SWU has done. These were students, from different backgrounds, socio-economic statuses and points of views, however they were all united in their hopes for peace and their love for the state of Israel, as well as their dedication to make sure that Israel is properly represented on campuses. The most valuable thing that SWU has given these students is a community. Being there has made me realize how far I’d come, how far I have to go but also how strong this community is.
Five months ago, I was one of them.
Here today, I stand with you, I hope, as a sign that change does and can happen. It’s happened because of the brave Jewish students who shared their stories with me. It’s these stories that have changed me. As a Journalist who seeks to give a voice to the voiceless, there is nothing more powerful than the look in a person’s eyes when they are truly genuinely want peace and understanding.
It’s a look I see when I hear you all speak about Israel.
It’s a look that has no hate, but only a desire to change the world for the better.
It’s a look I hope you see in my eyes right now.
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Following are links to two of the stories published by Berteaux in the Daily Aztec on the subject of campus intimidation:
http://www.thedailyaztec.com/54505/daily-aztec-stories/ethnic-cleansing-starts-where/
http://www.thedailyaztec.com/56244/daily-aztec-stories/protests-drive-hate-crime/
Well done Anthony! You’re a brave young man. You have found out what those who denigrate Israel have yet to discover: Judaism is all about Love — respectful, compassionate love! When people are against Judaism it means, sadly, that they are afraid of showing or even receiving love. Israel is a safe haven for the many Jews who have needed to escape discrimination, which is the opposite of love. Many blessings to you.
While it is admirable that SDSU student Anthony Berteaux has ‘switched sides’ upon recognizing the injustices done to Jewish/Israeli students on campus, I think that it is even more important for him to expose the very fact that what BDS claims about Israel is simply blatantly false propaganda and inciteful lies. What the BDS movement accuses Israel of — in his own words from is pre-enlightenment letter: ” …what’s happening in Israel right now stinks of the same inhumane racism and bigotry we’ve come to see from the Jim Crow laws and apartheid” — is as fabricated and untrue as anything could possibly be. THIS is the message that he needs to deliver to a tragically misinformed public.
gd bless you for taking a stand and forming your own opinion. Good for you.
Anthony, I would just like to know the following. You said you received more than 30 negative messages, calling for your resignation, after you “switched sides”, and don’t feel safe. And how many of those types of messages did you receive when you were supporting the BDS’ers, and bashing Israel? My guess is zero.
I have never understood how so many “educated” people at institutions of higher learning all across America can be so brainwashed as to believe the propaganda that is spread against Israel. Nor do I understand their eager willingness to spread hate, and to condone or participate in acts of violence.
It deeply disturbs me to see so many followers of Islam, claimed to be a religion of peace, perpetrate acts of violence against innocent civilians. It is equally despicable that so many of their advocates condone such vile behavior. Those who perpetrate such acts, and those who advocate such acts, are without human compassion, and they are void of tolerance. They are a cancer upon the face of the Earth, fostering hate and violence in nations all across the planet.
It is encouraging that Anthony Berteaux has seen reality, and I thank him for speaking out on the side of peace.
Jeremiah would be proud of you.
Stories like these are so rare and so powerful. It’s so easy to be swept up by the pseudo-humanitarian activists who are really hateful bigots. It takes an open mind, courage, morality, understanding, individuality and a real willingness to find truth to see who they really are. Thank you for being having those qualities and speaking out.
Nothing short of a hero. A man with more moral courage than the crushing majority of people, let alone of his young age. Bravo.
Thank you for your words, and thank you for standing with us. May peace and blessings follow you all the days of your life.
Amen.