“Israel’s vibrant – though embattled – democracy was on display Monday at Tel Aviv University in all its glory. Dozens of students – Palestinian and Jewish – articulated their belief that the events surrounding the creation of the State of Israel were a “Nakba,” Arabic for catastrophe, after receiving authorization from Tel Aviv University President Joseph Klafter.

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As a democracy, Israel has an obligation to protect the right of Palestinians to commemorate their history, regardless how distorted and counterproductive to peace it might be.

The Nakba Law maintains that delicate balance. Organizers and university administrators were careful to adhere to the strictures of the Nakba Law, which forbid the university to use state money to fund anti-Israel activities.

Tel Aviv University did not take part in funding of the Nakba Day ceremonies. Organizers had to foot the bill for expenses such as security guards and decorations. But by permitting the ceremony to be held on campus, the university’s president was reaffirming the democratic principles of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.”

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