He also argued that the Palestinian Red Crescent is internationally recognized as legitimate.

"The [United Nations], [World Health Organization], and the American Red Cross are all sending aid to the [Red Crescent]," he said.

Most attendees of the dinner said they were unaware of the controversy. Dr. S. Allen Counter, director of the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations, said he had not read any reports about it and added that his attendance had nothing to do with concerns about the accusations.

"I'm here to enjoy a wonderful opportunity for a community to get together. It's important that we make sure everybody feels a part of the greater community," Counter said.

Chris G. Kanakry '03, a member of SAS, said he was hesitant to believe reports of the groups' misconduct.

"I don't know if the accounts are accurate. They sound very speculative," he said. "I also don't know if it is very relevant because the majority of the attacks have been by Israelis."

He said he felt that, were the accusations true, they still paled in comparison to other events of the Middle East conflict.