"She is one of the best spokespeople for thePalestinian movement," Shihata said.
Nazik D. Kazimi, a Newton resident who ismarried to an MIT professor, said she sees Ashrawias proof that not all Arab women, stay "behind theveil."
"She presents a very good view of Arab women,"Kazimi said.
Luis A. Gonzalez '01, a member of the Navy'sROTC program, suggested another positive aspect ofAshrawi's visit.
"I'm interested in...[a] discussion of thepeace process especially because the area is sovolatile right now," Gonzalez said. "Weestablished a fleet there, which is unusual, andwe sent troops into Jordan."
Rustin C. Silverstein '99, the chair of HarvardStudents for Israel, said he was disappointed byAshrawi's dismissal of Israel's military concerns.
"I was discouraged," said Silverstein, who isalso a Crimson editor.
"Her total lack of sympathy for Israel'ssecurity...is especially shocking given that theseconcerns have been validated recently by multipleterrorist bombings of Israeli civilians and thePalestinian people's support for an Iraqi attackon Israel just a few months ago," Silversteinsaid.
Levitin echoed Silverstein's dismay over thecontentious tone of Ashrawi's speech.
"I don't know why the Harvard Foundationsponsored Ms. Ashwari," Levitin said. "She washardly promoting ethnic understanding."