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Alan Dershowitz desperately attacks his own alma mater
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HHW
Feb 1, 2013, 11:24:25 AM2/1/13
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Brooklyn College BDS event appears likely to go forward (as JVP
explains it is in no way anti-Semitic)
by Philip Weiss on January 30, 2013 124
Yesterday we reported on a panel discussion of boycott, divestment and
sanctions of Israel at Brooklyn College a week from tomorrow that is
sponsored by the political science department and that is being
attacked by Alan Dershowitz and other supporters of Israel. It appears
that the panel-- featuring Judith Butler and Omar Barghouti-- will go
forward, and with more attention than it might otherwise have gotten.
See the Brooklyn College president's letter below, upholding the
principle of open debate.
Meantime, the New York Daily News is pulling out the stops to force
the panel off-campus. Dershowitz has a piece in the pro-Israel
newspaper calling for Brooklyn College to dissociate itself from a
"propaganda hate orgy," and the editorial page says that the panel's
views border on anti-Semitism.What a smear. Rebecca Vilkomerson of
Jewish Voice for Peace has a great letter below, dismissing these
fearful tactics.
Karen Gould, president of Brooklyn College, sent out the following
letter to staff on Monday.
Subject: Upholding the principles of academic freedom with respect and
civility
Dear students, faculty, and staff,
Each semester, student clubs, academic departments, and other groups
on our campus host events and invite speakers on a broad range of
topics. At times, the issues discussed may be challenging and the
points of view expressed may be controversial.
Next week, Students for Justice in Palestine is hosting two speakers
who will discuss their views on the BDS movement, which calls for
boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel. The event is co-
sponsored by several campus and community organizations, including the
political science department.
As an institution of higher education, it is incumbent upon us to
uphold the tenets of academic freedom and allow our students and
faculty to engage in dialogue and debate on topics they may choose,
even those with which members of our campus and broader community may
vehemently disagree. As your president, I consistently have
demonstrated my commitment to these principles so that our college
community may consider complex issues and points of view across the
political and cultural spectrum.
Unfortunately, some may believe that our steadfast commitment to free
speech signals an institutional endorsement of a particular point of
view. Nothing could be further from the truth. Brooklyn College does
not endorse the views of the speakers visiting our campus next week,
just as it has not endorsed those of previous visitors to our campus
with opposing views. We do, however, uphold their right to speak, and
the rights of our students and faculty to attend, listen, and fully
debate. We also encourage our students and faculty to explore these
issues from multiple viewpoints and in a variety of forums so that no
single perspective serves as the sole source of information or basis
for consideration.
In addition, as I have said on several occasions, our college
community values mutual respect and civil discourse. We ask all
students, faculty, staff, and guests on our campus to conduct
themselves accordingly so that Brooklyn College continues to be a
learning environment where all may discuss and debate issues of
importance to our world.
Sincerely,
Karen L. Gould
President
Rebecca Vilkomerson of Jewish Voice for Peace stood up for the panel:
Dear President Gould,
I am writing on behalf of Jewish Voice for Peace (www.jvp.org) in
appreciation of Brooklyn College’s support for free speech and open
political debate. We commend you for supporting your Political
Science department’s co-sponsorship of an event on February 7th about
the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement featuring Omar
Barghouti, a leading Palestinian rights activist, and world-renowned
Professor Judith Butler.
Recent efforts to shut down this event are a deplorable attack on free
speech that has no place on a college campus. As an organization
inspired by Jewish tradition to work for equality and human rights for
all the people of Palestine and Israel, we are especially troubled by
the allegations that this event is anti-Jewish. Boycott, Divestment,
and Sanctions are non-violent tools with a long history of being used
by civil society to make social change. Two recent examples include
the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and the civil rights
movement here in the United States.
Contrary to reports in the media, the BDS movement has a broad array
of support, including from Jewish students and community members. In
no way can it be construed as anti-Semitic. We urge you to look with
skepticism on any claims to speak for the Jewish community in New
York, which we know to hold a wide array of opinions on this issue.
In fact, our New York chapter is a co-sponsor of this event.
We urge you to continue to stand up to the pressure being exerted
against this important event and in defense of free speech on campus.
If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to be in
contact with me.
Warm Regards,
Rebecca Vilkomerson
Executive Director
Jewish Voice for Peace
Brooklyn, NY
Update: Donnybrook. The Jewish Week reports that Hillel, the Jewish
student organization, is coordinating a petition against the event;
Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, the CUNY board member, has characterized it as
anti-Semitic; and the Jewish Community Relations Council is also
pressuring the college:
Students at Brooklyn College are conducting an online petition drive
to have an academic department at Brooklyn College withdraw its
sponsorship of what many members of the Jewish community consider an
anti-Israel forum there next week.
The campaign, which has gathered nearly 600 signatures from students
at the school and from members of the wider community, requests that
the college administration “rescind its sponsorship” of the forum...
"Both Barghouti and Butler are publicly on record calling for the
elimination of the Jewish state,” the petition states. “There is no
doubt that the purpose of this event is to promote campaigns to
boycott Israel, campaigns which the U.S. Department of State considers
to be anti-Semitic, and the Jewish community considers to be an
assault on the Jewish people..."
Hindy Poupko, director of Israel and international affairs at the
Jewish Community Relations Council, called the school’s decision to
let the forum carry the sponsorship by the political science
department “deeply disappointing.”
explains it is in no way anti-Semitic)
by Philip Weiss on January 30, 2013 124
Yesterday we reported on a panel discussion of boycott, divestment and
sanctions of Israel at Brooklyn College a week from tomorrow that is
sponsored by the political science department and that is being
attacked by Alan Dershowitz and other supporters of Israel. It appears
that the panel-- featuring Judith Butler and Omar Barghouti-- will go
forward, and with more attention than it might otherwise have gotten.
See the Brooklyn College president's letter below, upholding the
principle of open debate.
Meantime, the New York Daily News is pulling out the stops to force
the panel off-campus. Dershowitz has a piece in the pro-Israel
newspaper calling for Brooklyn College to dissociate itself from a
"propaganda hate orgy," and the editorial page says that the panel's
views border on anti-Semitism.What a smear. Rebecca Vilkomerson of
Jewish Voice for Peace has a great letter below, dismissing these
fearful tactics.
Karen Gould, president of Brooklyn College, sent out the following
letter to staff on Monday.
Subject: Upholding the principles of academic freedom with respect and
civility
Dear students, faculty, and staff,
Each semester, student clubs, academic departments, and other groups
on our campus host events and invite speakers on a broad range of
topics. At times, the issues discussed may be challenging and the
points of view expressed may be controversial.
Next week, Students for Justice in Palestine is hosting two speakers
who will discuss their views on the BDS movement, which calls for
boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel. The event is co-
sponsored by several campus and community organizations, including the
political science department.
As an institution of higher education, it is incumbent upon us to
uphold the tenets of academic freedom and allow our students and
faculty to engage in dialogue and debate on topics they may choose,
even those with which members of our campus and broader community may
vehemently disagree. As your president, I consistently have
demonstrated my commitment to these principles so that our college
community may consider complex issues and points of view across the
political and cultural spectrum.
Unfortunately, some may believe that our steadfast commitment to free
speech signals an institutional endorsement of a particular point of
view. Nothing could be further from the truth. Brooklyn College does
not endorse the views of the speakers visiting our campus next week,
just as it has not endorsed those of previous visitors to our campus
with opposing views. We do, however, uphold their right to speak, and
the rights of our students and faculty to attend, listen, and fully
debate. We also encourage our students and faculty to explore these
issues from multiple viewpoints and in a variety of forums so that no
single perspective serves as the sole source of information or basis
for consideration.
In addition, as I have said on several occasions, our college
community values mutual respect and civil discourse. We ask all
students, faculty, staff, and guests on our campus to conduct
themselves accordingly so that Brooklyn College continues to be a
learning environment where all may discuss and debate issues of
importance to our world.
Sincerely,
Karen L. Gould
President
Rebecca Vilkomerson of Jewish Voice for Peace stood up for the panel:
Dear President Gould,
I am writing on behalf of Jewish Voice for Peace (www.jvp.org) in
appreciation of Brooklyn College’s support for free speech and open
political debate. We commend you for supporting your Political
Science department’s co-sponsorship of an event on February 7th about
the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement featuring Omar
Barghouti, a leading Palestinian rights activist, and world-renowned
Professor Judith Butler.
Recent efforts to shut down this event are a deplorable attack on free
speech that has no place on a college campus. As an organization
inspired by Jewish tradition to work for equality and human rights for
all the people of Palestine and Israel, we are especially troubled by
the allegations that this event is anti-Jewish. Boycott, Divestment,
and Sanctions are non-violent tools with a long history of being used
by civil society to make social change. Two recent examples include
the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and the civil rights
movement here in the United States.
Contrary to reports in the media, the BDS movement has a broad array
of support, including from Jewish students and community members. In
no way can it be construed as anti-Semitic. We urge you to look with
skepticism on any claims to speak for the Jewish community in New
York, which we know to hold a wide array of opinions on this issue.
In fact, our New York chapter is a co-sponsor of this event.
We urge you to continue to stand up to the pressure being exerted
against this important event and in defense of free speech on campus.
If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to be in
contact with me.
Warm Regards,
Rebecca Vilkomerson
Executive Director
Jewish Voice for Peace
Brooklyn, NY
Update: Donnybrook. The Jewish Week reports that Hillel, the Jewish
student organization, is coordinating a petition against the event;
Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, the CUNY board member, has characterized it as
anti-Semitic; and the Jewish Community Relations Council is also
pressuring the college:
Students at Brooklyn College are conducting an online petition drive
to have an academic department at Brooklyn College withdraw its
sponsorship of what many members of the Jewish community consider an
anti-Israel forum there next week.
The campaign, which has gathered nearly 600 signatures from students
at the school and from members of the wider community, requests that
the college administration “rescind its sponsorship” of the forum...
"Both Barghouti and Butler are publicly on record calling for the
elimination of the Jewish state,” the petition states. “There is no
doubt that the purpose of this event is to promote campaigns to
boycott Israel, campaigns which the U.S. Department of State considers
to be anti-Semitic, and the Jewish community considers to be an
assault on the Jewish people..."
Hindy Poupko, director of Israel and international affairs at the
Jewish Community Relations Council, called the school’s decision to
let the forum carry the sponsorship by the political science
department “deeply disappointing.”
plainolamerican
Feb 1, 2013, 11:30:56 AM2/1/13
to
---
they should tell him to shut the fuck up and go home to israel.
NefeshBarYochai
Feb 1, 2013, 2:02:50 PM2/1/13
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