As the ongoing tensions in the Middle East continue to intensify, demonstrations at colleges in the United States have become more frequent. Prestigious schools, such as Harvard and Colombia, have seen student-led protests generate national and global headlines. With no clear end to the war in sight, it has become difficult for people looking to gain knowledge on the situation to find unbiased and truthful sources, leading to misinformation and global chaos.

The issues that led up to the attacks in Israel and the Gaza strip are not ones that have recently begun. Conflict between these groups has deeply rooted history and can go back centuries. American mainstream media doesn’t have the ability to provide viewers with the historical context that is needed to have a full understanding of the complex issues. 

Professor Joseph Spoerl of the Philosophy department, who has researched and published work about Jewish history in the Middle East, explains how journalism alone cannot cover issues as large as these. “The mainstream media isn’t bad. They are professional journalists with good intentions, but they can be superficial,” Spoerl said. “They tend not to give you the deeper history, especially on the ideology of Hamas and the Muslim brotherhood.”

With the on-ground military activity constantly changing, it is difficult for followers to be able to fully understand what is happening, and more importantly, why it is happening. There has been confusion, even on behalf of American official intelligence, about who is responsible for certain operations and what the death toll is at each blast. Despite all of the unknowns, supporters of all sides mourn the loss of civilian lives. In a joint statement issued by President Favazza and Abbot Mark Cooper, O.S.B., they said, “there is no justification for terrorism; no defense for the slaughter and kidnapping of innocent women, men, and children.” 

In the same message, President Favazza and Abbot Mark condemned the acts of Hamas and showed support of the Israeli people. “Through these acts, Hamas has not advanced the rights of the people of Palestine. Indeed, in a blood-thirsty desire to inflict pain on the State of Israel, Hamas has deeply harmed the cause of the Palestinian people.” 

Although no major demonstrations have taken place on the campus of Saint Anselm College, universities around the country are seeing students respond to the attacks. Viral videos from the campuses of Harvard and Colombia have shown students showing support of Hamas. These videos have been heavily criticized to the point where presidential candidates, such as Donald Trump and Tim Scott, have called on disciplinary action on the students taking part in these demonstrations. 

Many across the country, including students at the college, are looking for sources to find unbiased, nonpartisan information on the war. Profesor Spoerl said, “The Palestinian Media Watch has excellent Arabic translations from Palestinian leaders, stuff that often doesn’t make it into the mainstream media.” He also recommended “The Middle East Forum”, which is published in Philadelphia, as a source with informative webinars, podcasts, and articles on the deep-rooted history that goes behind the attacks in the Middle East. 

Spoerl believes that it is important for students to be educated in the history of the conflicts if it is going to be brought up in the classroom. “At a liberal arts education would make sure that a student learned about the history. Having the historical context is extremely valuable and necessary in order to understand this topic,” he said. “A liberally educated student should have the tools needed to do that, and I hope our students do.”

As the situation develops and tensions rise, students are encouraged to remain informed and speak and engage civilly on the topic. Several presidential candidates that visit the college during election season have spoke on the issue and will continue to do so in the open forums that the college and the Institute of Politics provide. Students of all beliefs and backgrounds should feel safe and comfortable on campus and it is important to follow the Benedictine values of the college during times of great turmoil.