“He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are an abomination to the LORD.” (Proverbs 17:15)

Syracuse University joined Brandeis last week in severing ties with Jerusalem-based Palestinian university, Al-Quds.  The decisions came following a demonstration held at Al-Quds in which participants, dressed in black military attire and carrying mock automatic weapons, used a Nazi salute.  Brandeis President Frederick Lawrence demanded the university president issue a statement condemning the demonstration, but the ensuing statement by Al-Quds President Sari Nusseibeh was deemed unsatisfactory.

The demonstration took place November 5 on the Al-Quds campus, in the school’s main square.  Adorning the square during the march were posters of Palestinian suicide bombers, considered “martyrs” by most Palestinians.

The condemnation requested by Lawrence was to be in both Arabic and English, and was meant to be unequivocal.  Instead, Nusseibeh accused Brandeis and others of “vilification campaigns by Jewish extremists with the purpose of discrediting its reputation as a prestigious academic institution,” and “ spar[ing] no effort to exploit some rare but nonetheless damaging

events or scenes which occur on the campus of Al Quds University.”

According to a statement issued by Brandeis on November 18, “the Al-Quds statement is unacceptable and inflammatory. While Brandeis has an unwavering commitment to open dialogue on difficult issues, we are also obliged to recognize intolerance when we see it, and we cannot – and will not – turn a blind eye to intolerance. As a result, Brandeis is suspending its partnership with Al-Quds University effective immediately. We will reevaluate our relationship with Al-Quds based on future events. “

Until now, Brandeis has been proud in partner with Al-Quds, saying, “The partnership with Al Quds University was initiated with the best of intentions for opening a dialogue and building a foundation for peace. Over the years, our partnership has been extremely productive in many respects, including student and faculty exchanges that have advanced the cause of peace and understanding.”  The university has also said that the relationship may be reevaluated in the future.

Later that week, Syracuse University’s Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism chose to follow suit.   “We are very disappointed and saddened to have learned of these recent events at Al-Quds University,” Kevin Quinn, Syracuse’s senior vice president for public affairs, told the Jerusalem Post in a report published Friday.