I Want to Become a Journalist — But I Don’t See Israel Being Treated Fairly on Campus

A Jewish student at Carleton University, Miriam Tsipilevich, shares her concerns about the lack of fair treatment and open debate regarding Israel on campus, particularly within her journalism studies. She describes anthropology lectures on the Gaza conflict that presented a "fixed narrative," focusing heavily on Palestinian casualties and accusations of genocide against Israel, while also framing Gaza's tunnel networks as part of a local economy and resistance. Tsipilevich, who identifies as both Ashkenazi and Mizrahi and a Zionist, felt there was little opportunity to question these perspectives or share her own without being misunderstood. She emphasizes that universities should encourage critical thinking and open discussion, not silence dissenting viewpoints. Despite these challenges, she found solace in spaces like a Unity Shabbat, where diverse individuals engaged in balanced and respectful conversations, reflecting a growing allyship between Jewish and Iranian communities on campus.