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Don’t abandon our future

“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” – Thomas Jefferson

The international farce that is the United Nations

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) ratified a resolution Oct. 18 denying the Jewish people’s deep historical ties to Jerusalem. While the resolution acknowledges the “importance of the Old City of Jerusalem and its walls for the three monotheistic religions,” the sacred hill is only referred to by its Islamic name, al-Aqsa Mosque/al-Haram al-Sharif. Not only does the resolution make no reference to its Jewish name, Temple Mount, which happens to be considered the holiest site in Judaism, but it distinctly puts quotation marks around “Western Wall Plaza,” a subtle attack on the legitimacy of its Jewish connection.

Remembering Shimon Peres, a great leader

On Wednesday morning, the world lost a great man; a man bigger than politics, whose name alone is synonymous with the state of Israel.

Kaepernick and radical social justice

When San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick protested the national anthem before an NFL preseason game Aug. 26, I felt the ensuing outrage was overblown. I agreed with President Obama’s response — it is Kaepernick’s constitutional right to protest what he sees as a problem of racism and police brutality in America. By the same token, it is also the right of those who disagree with him to criticize him for his method of protest. As far as I was concerned, the discussion ended there.

Guest Column: UF and the failed coup in Turkey

On July 15 in Istanbul, Turkey, soldiers closed the two bridges across the Bosphorus, the first indication that elements of the army were planning to remove the government of President Recip Tayyip Erdogan. In Ankara, the national capital, other soldiers took control of television stations and shelled the parliament building. President Erdogan had to use social media to rally his supporters. But by morning it was all over with Erdogan in full control.

Miami band to kick off tour in downtown Gainesville

Miami-based band Heavy Drag is gearing up for its summer tour that will kick off with a performance at The Atlantic on July 6.

Darts & Laurels: June 2, 2016

If you’re on the lookout for some life coaching, Dr. Ben Carson awoke from his slumber, yet again. Let’s see what message he brought to Fox News on Memorial Day: “America right now is like a cruise ship that is about to go off of Niagara Falls with tremendous carnage and death.” Hmm… Never mind. This sounds more like some nightmare he had after seeing “Titanic.” Anyway, we at the Alligator would never do you like that. We’d never give you up, let you down or run around and desert you. So, relax and fade away into our latest segment of…

My weekend safari in Paynes Prairie: a look into venture capitalism

“The ethic of conservation is the explicit abnegation of man's dominion over the Earth. The lower species are here for our use. God said so: Go forth, be fruitful, multiply, and rape the planet — it's yours.” Ann Coulter

Letters to the Editor: Israel isn't an "apartheid state"

I am deeply disturbed by Jordan MacKenzie’s column from Wednesday, “The meaning of the word ‘apartheid.’” First, I am always amazed when a Floridian criticizes Israel, given how Floridians live and work on land stolen by force from Native Americans who were “ethnically cleansed.”

Column: The meaning of the word 'apartheid'

The European “explorers” who stumbled upon the Western Cape of South Africa and proceeded to murder the region’s indigenous knew they had found their promised land. After all, why should a land and its resources belong to its native inhabitants?

Play to promote peace in Palestine for solidarity month

Students for Justice in Palestine is using art to promote peace.

Students write peaceful messages on Plaza

A 12-foot-long plywood wall reading “Peace, Art, Israel,” greeted students on the Plaza of the Americas on Wednesday.

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Scholars discuss Jewish-Muslim history at Smathers event

Scholars spoke about the history of Jewish-Muslim relations at UF on Wednesday. 

UF, Gainesville remember neurosurgeon, UF professor

Albert L. Rhoton Jr. was a man of God.

Column: Not so 'free' speech after all, BDS movement

There is a growing trend in Israel and the West at large to criminalize and enact opposition against protest activity, such as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement targeted at the practices of the Israeli government. Prejudices regarding BDS aside, we must focus on the issue at hand: the chipping away of free speech for the purposes of “security” or allegiance to the Israeli government.

Guest column: BDS movement is about delegitimizing Israel

Last Friday, the Alligator published a column titled, “Don’t be rude about BDS movement,” in which the author defended the movement that seeks to boycott and sanction the State of Israel. The column contained multiple misconceptions and inaccuracies.

New year, new trees: Jewish community celebrates Tu B'shevat

Students and Gainesville residents sang traditional chants together Monday night to celebrate the Jewish holiday Tu B’Shevat.

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Attendees clap along to chants at Chabad's Tu B'Shvat celebration Monday. Tu B’Shvat, which began at sunset on Sunday and ended at nightfall Monday, is celebrated in Israel as an ecological awareness day.

Column: Don't be rude about BDS movement

I’ve wanted to write about the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement for a while, but I haven’t had a real reason that’d be worth the inevitable barely-coherent shouting in my direction.