Eitan Weiss, the new Israel Consul General to the Southeast Region made the rounds in Nashville late last month. He spent several days meeting with community members, state lawmakers, and Vanderbilt students and administrators. “We were honored to welcome the Consul General for his first visit to Nashville,” says Judy Alperin, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, “It is clear we have an experienced, dedicated, charming, and insightful champion and look forward to the next few years working together.”
Speaking during a conversation moderated by former WSMV news anchor and reporter Carley Gordon, Weiss answered questions about a wide range of subjects, including his plans for engaging the region, enriching Israel’s diplomatic ties, and his thoughts on how Israel can better share their successes.
Weiss called out legacy media organizations he believes are falling prey to business interests. He referenced the recent resignations of two news executives at the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) following allegations that the broadcaster had mishandled the story about Israel’s role in the conflict with Hamas, among other things. “The reality is more complex than it’s being portrayed,” he said, “They found that they on purpose changed the narrative. They [the BBC] basically supported Hamas’ narrative where they covered the Gaza situation and it seemed that they lied.”
At a lunch time town hall type of meeting at Vanderbilt Hillel, Weiss turned the tables, questioning students about their experiences on campus. There was discussion about dealing with the Boycott Divest Sanction (BDS) movement and the importance of engaging in meaningful dialogue peer to peer. One student said, “I haven’t always been connected with people who are willing to engage with us. We try to do what we can to make sure that we as Hillel are able to represent Jewish students on campus.”
Weiss said he is sorry to hear these experiences, but progress is being made. “On our end, we have been trying to work really hard to stop all of these negative activities.” He added that both students and faculty are subjected to what he calls “acts of terror.” But he said it is important for the students to maintain strong Jewish identities. “It’s important first of all, to have confidence in your beliefs and in your support and in our identity. Because you can’t let these people win. They’re acting in order to make you feel uncomfortable in your own home.”
Also in attendance were metro council member Jacob Kupin (D-19), state representative Scott Cepicky (TN-64), and state senator Mark Pody (TN-17). Weiss said students should rely on their support, too. “These gentlemen here show their support.” And addressing the lawmakers directly, “I think that you should be proud of what you’re doing for us.”
Student Manu Navaneethakrishnan is an editor of the Vanderbilt student newspaper The Hustler. She is not Jewish and had maintained a pro-Palestinian perspective, until she traveled to Israel last summer. “I think I came back understanding the viewpoints that encompassed both sides of the situation.” She said she received pushback from others about why she went to Israel and encountered others who simply did not want to listen. “As an editor it’s important to me because if we educate ourselves, we can have those kinds of conversations.”
Weiss also took questions from the students ranging from criticism of Israel to the recent election of Zoran Mahmdani as Mayor of New York City. He wrapped up the event as he did with the community event, with a message of hope. “Be proud, be strong because you will always be victorious. You have to be strong because eventually you will win.”
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