“You can’t hide the smoking gun of this genocide” w/ Sherene Seikaly and Tony Alessandrini
Jan 20, 2025
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Sherene Seikaly, an associate professor of history at UC Santa Barbara and editor of the Journal of Palestine Studies, joins Anthony Alessandrini, Professor of English and Middle Eastern Studies. They discuss the AHA's controversial stance on Israeli actions, particularly the term 'scholasticide.' Fear and manipulation in political discourse are examined, revealing deep divides in academic responses. The necessity of bold activism against repression and the generational dynamics of pro-Palestine advocacy highlight a critical moment for scholarly integrity and ethical engagement.
The podcast highlights the emotional impact of genocide in Gaza, illustrating how collective silence could lead to dire consequences for all involved.
It critiques the AHA and MLA leadership for vetoing resolutions that condemn the destruction of educational institutions, reflecting a troubling disconnect with grassroots activism.
The discussion reveals a generational shift toward increased awareness and activism among younger scholars advocating for Palestinian rights and challenging oppressive narratives.
Deep dives
Emotional Response to Genocide
The podcast highlights the emotional impact of genocide, particularly focusing on a recent business meeting where attendees expressed palpable enthusiasm and deep sorrow regarding the situation in Gaza. Many individuals in the room, including those who were not experts in Palestinian studies, were visibly moved, indicating a broader awareness and concern for the ongoing atrocities. The speaker emphasizes that collective silence about such issues could lead to dire consequences for everyone involved, urging listeners to recognize the urgency of addressing these grievances. The atmosphere reflects a growing recognition that ignoring these crises has cascading effects that extend beyond immediate victims.
AHA and MLA's Political Engagement
The American Historical Association (AHA) and the Modern Language Association (MLA) have faced significant scrutiny for their stances on Palestine and related issues, particularly regarding the vetoing of resolutions condemning the destruction of educational institutions in Gaza. Despite overwhelming membership support for such resolutions, the leadership's veto perpetuates a narrative that minimizes Israeli culpability while allowing for 'unintentional' destruction to go unchallenged. This disingenuous behavior has sparked frustration among historians and scholars who expect their organizations to confront injustices rather than evade them. The discussion serves to illustrate the disconnect between grassroots activism and institutional responses, highlighting the need for accountability in scholarly organizations.
Mobilizing Academic Networks
Academic groups focused on Palestine have gained momentum, with organizations like Historians for Peace and Democracy and Historians for Palestine uniting to present resolutions against violence in Gaza. The recent meetings showcased a historical engagement with Palestinian issues, including packed sessions dedicated to the topic that indicated a shift in the association's dynamics. Speakers at these events argued that the violence inflicted upon Palestinians is not merely an abstract historical issue but a current and pressing tragedy needing immediate action. The conversations revealed a collective enthusiasm to advocate for Palestinian rights, pushing back against institutional inertia.
Generational Shifts in Activism
The podcast discusses a generational shift among academics regarding the Palestine discussion, noting that increased awareness and activism among younger scholars has led to a more robust defense of Palestinian rights. Attendees recognized the vital work done by previous generations while also crediting the current activism that demonstrates defiance against oppressive narratives. This energetic engagement signifies a multi-generational commitment to justice, with the understanding that traditional academic behavior cannot suffocate urgent political discourse. The emotional and intellectual alignment among attendees underscores the importance of solidarity in addressing historical and contemporary injustices.
The Role of Boycotts and Solidarity
The conversation emphasizes the significance of boycotts and collective actions as a means of resistance against injustices faced by Palestinians, likening it to broader struggles for justice and equality. Participants suggest that standing together not only raises awareness but also empowers colleagues facing pressures from leading organizations. This solidarity is seen as crucial in advancing a shared agenda that opposes oppression across multiple fronts. The outcome of such activism is yet to be determined, but it holds the potential to change the way institutions confront crises as their faculty and students step up to demand accountability for their inaction.
Note: we recorded this before the appalling AHA leadership veto on Jan. 17 of the democratic vote of its membership to condemn Israeli scholasticide
The brothers welcome Professor Sherene Seikaly, historian at University of California at Santa Barbara and editor of the Journal of Palestine Studies and Anthony Alessandrini, Professor of English at Kingsborough Community College and of Middle Eastern Studies at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, to discuss the American Historical Association (AHA) and the Modern Language Association (MLA) engagement with the question of Palestine. We discuss the historic vote by the AHA membership on January 5, 2025 to condemn Israel’s scholasticide in Gaza despite the deeply anti-Palestinian stance of the leadership of the AHA.
We discuss how this leadership mobilized fear, "anticipatory obedience" to avoid taking an ethical position against the obliteration of every Palestinian university in Gaza, despite explicitly condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. We also discuss how the MLA leadership has systematically undermined discussions and resolutions about Palestinian liberation. They also discussed how ethical scholars have confronted the extraordinary silence and complicity of the two major scholarly associations about the Gaza genocide.
