woensdag 20 oktober 2010

Palestijnse lobby weert pro-Israel spreker in "discussie" Belfast Festival

 
De anti-Israellobby klaagt vaak dat ze de mond wordt gesnoerd, maar zoals zo vaak beschuldigt men de andere kant van zaken die men juist zelf geregeld doet. Van de zomer werd onder andere ambassadeur Michael Oren het spreken onmogelijk gemaakt op een Amerikaanse universiteit, en het komt vaker voor dat een pro-Israel spreker wordt bedreigd, overschreeuwd of al vantevoren afgezegd vanwege verwachte gevoeligheden van de moslimgemeenschap of daadwerkelijke protesten. Vooral op campussen blijkt het vaak bijzonder lastig om een pro-Israel bijeenkomst te organiseren vanwege de militante antizionistische organisaties. De eigen argumenten zijn blijkbaar zo zwak dat men het niet op wil nemen tegen sprekers van de andere kant.
 
RP
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You heard about the evil Zionist Lobby that doesn't give anyone else a chance to talk? Richard Landes details several instances in which pro-Israel opinion has been stifled, evidently by a sinister international Palestinian lobby. Perhaps the most egregious case was that of Professor Geoffrey Alderman.  Alderman was "disinvited" from a panel discussion with Avi ("Iron Wall") Shlaim and Hamas groupie Beverly Milton in Belfast. Evidently none of these people want anyone crashing their Israel-bashing gigs. That much is understandable, but it is dishonest to label these events as "discussions" when they are only meant to be Israel-basing agitation.

Here is a basic account of the incident:

Professor Geoffrey Alderman has sent out the following Press Notice: "On 20 September 2010 I received an email from the Director of the Belfast Festival, Mr. Graeme Farrow, inviting me to join a panel convened to discuss "Conflict in the Middle East" as part of the 2010 Belfast Festival, held under the auspices of Queen's University Belfast. Mr. Farrow's exact words were: "I would be delighted if you would join our panel." I was naturally pleased to accept this invitation. The panel discussion is due to take place on Monday evening, 18 October 2010, in Belfast. On Friday afternoon, 15 October 2010 I was shocked to receive an email from Mr. Farrow informing me that "a mistake" had been made in extending the invitation to me and that although I could join the audience the event was to go ahead without my panel participation. In effect, I was being "disinvited."
In a series of email exchanges with Mr. Farrow I refused to accept this situation, and I have made it clear to him that I intend to travel to Belfast tomorrow and shall expect to participate fully as a member of the panel. I am frankly appalled at the way I have been treated, for which I hold Queen's University, Belfast, responsible."

Evidently, Alderman was forced out by the other panelists, who were not eager for other views to get a hearing.

The "discussion," or rather, the Israel-bashing ritual, was held already. You can voice protests to Prof. Prof, Farrow  at g.farrow@qub.ac.uk and Prof. Peter Gregson, Vice Chancellor at vc.office@qub.ac.uk or through Executive PA: Mrs Fionnuala Newton – (0)28 9097 5134 his secretary Mrs Monica Salomeia (0)28 9097 3131.

A far as is known, the story also appeared in CIFWatch, the Belfast Telegraph, Harry's PlaceYaacov Lozowick's RuminationsMelanie Phillips, Daphne Anson and Daled Amos. The Jewish Chronicle wrote about it under the headline: Free Speech for Israel? Not at Queens University Belfast!

Ami Isseroff

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