I’m writing to express disagreement with the decision to prevent the Palestinian flag from being displayed during graduation. The justification for denying Isra’s appeal seems entirely based on the argument that “if we have a clear policy, we should follow it” (Provost Dan Hornbach), without any consideration to the ethics or the politics of the issue.

At Macalester, both students and faculty have varying ideas about the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Some people argue that the harm inflicted on Palestinians is under-represented in U.S. media. Regardless of one’s political stance on the conflict, however, the fact remains that the issue is controversial. In these highly political times, the act of flying a national flag has incredible political symbolism.

The decision to exclude a Palestinian flag from the graduation ceremony while an Israeli flag is flown, incorrectly expresses Macalester’s political stance on the Israel/Palestine conflict. Conversely, the inclusion of both flags simply represents the true political stance of Macalester: that students, faculty and administrators have differing views on the situation.

The enforcement of a policy that goes against the sentiments of the students, faculty, and administrators should be re-evaluated. Blind obedience to policy and law has prevented social change throughout history. During Jim Crow times, should black people have accepted the racist laws because of Dan Hornbach’s argument that “if we have a clear policy, we should follow it?” In the early 20th century, should women have stopped their struggle to vote simply because “… we have a clear policy, [and] we should follow it?”

By accepting the authority’s decision to include the Israeli flag and exclude the Palestinian flag during graduation, Macalester is obeying a policy that, in this case, discriminates against Palestinians. If the decision is overturned, Macalester will be making a radical statement; but not a radical statement that aligns the school on one side or another, but a radical statement of justice and fairness that reflects a diversity of opinions.

The flags of both Palestinian students and Israeli students should be represented during the Commencement ceremony. Our administrators have the power to overturn their rejection of Isra’s appeal. I believe that the outcome of this decision will prove Macalester’s true commitment to Multiculturalism.