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I am writing to express concerns regarding the inadvertent role that public forums in Maui County may be playing in amplifying antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric in Hawaii.
It is disheartening to witness seasoned anti-Israel activists utilizing Hawaii's public forums, such as libraries and universities, to disseminate misinformation and libel to local residents who may not be fully informed about the geopolitical conflict.
The issue has become particularly pronounced following the Oct. 7 massacre of Israeli and foreign civilians by Hamas/Islamic Jihad, breaking the previous existing ceasefire and triggering the current war.
Molokai Public Library, a public institution funded by taxpayers, is currently showing a series of highly biased anti-Israel and antisemitic films hosted by Seed of Love Hawaii and co-sponsored by JVP Hawaii, Veterans for Peace Hawaii Chapter-113, and the Kahn Family Fund.
The library is expected to be a welcoming space for all community members and this programming contradicts their role as a neutral and inclusive space, alienating individuals who do not align with the strong political views being presented.
The recent screening of one of these films at UH Maui, hosted by UH Manoa professors/activists with well-known anti-Israel bias, raises concerns about selective activism in our public places potentially fueled by deep-rooted antisemitism.
The growing discomfort and fear felt by both Jewish and non-Jewish individuals in Maui County highlight the need for more oversight to ensure unbiased information and discourse in our public spaces.
I urge our libraries and universities to reevaluate their programming to ensure alignment with principles of neutrality and inclusivity.
Rabbi Shayna Naveh
Makawao