News
Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor Talks Justice, Civic Engagement at Radcliffe Day
News
Church Says It Did Not Authorize ‘People’s Commencement’ Protest After Harvard Graduation Walkout
News
‘Welcome to the Battlefield’: Maria Ressa Talks Tech, Fascism in Harvard Commencement Address
Multimedia
In Photos: Harvard’s 373rd Commencement Exercises
News
Rabbi Zarchi Confronted Maria Ressa, Walked Off Stage Over Her Harvard Commencement Speech
Harvard's experts on Judaic studies responded this week to the Rabat Conference's recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Henry A. Kissinger's recent tour of the Middle East with pessimism.
Yosef H. Yerushalmi, professor of Hebrew and Jewish History, said Yasser Arafat, leader of the PLO, provides a "temporary solidifying position, a rallying point for Arab opposition to Israel."
Yerushalmi said a negotiated settlement is now "vastly more difficult" because the Israelis will hesitate to negotiate with Arafat over West Jordan.
He said, "The United States should not negotiate with Arafat because he represents a vociferous minority, not the opinion of Palestine as a whole."
Isadore Twersky '51, professor of Hebrew Literature and Philosophy, said, "The repercussions of Arafat's rise will not be good."
Twersky predicted the Rabat declaration would lead to "a complete stalemate in peace negotiations."
Want to keep up with breaking news? Subscribe to our email newsletter.