Opinion
A new anti-Israel tactic
Asaf Romirowsky
Published: 15.03.12, 18:00
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30 Talkbacks for this article
1. The Antithesis of Berkeley
Thurman Reed ,   Los Angeles, CA, USA   (03.15.12)
When I arrived at my alma mater (UC Berkeley), I was fiercely anti-Israel, thought it was stupid for the United States to maintain its alliance with the state, wished for the State of Israel's dissolution and repeated the oft-mentioned (and fallacious) platitudes against the Jewish State. When I left Berkeley, I was an unequivocal advocate of Zionism. Am Yisrael Chai, No one belongs there more than you.
2. Limits to free speech
graczek ,   Maryland, USA   (03.15.12)
Free speech does not include yelling "FIRE!" in a crowded theater. Pro-Zionist speech is included in the "yelling 'FIRE!'" category, and therefore does not enjoy the First Amendment protections that normal speech enjoys. The Students for Justice in Palestine thus have a legitimate grievance.
3. Ahh! Enlightening!
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (03.15.12)
“... [t]o address the hostile campus climate being created for students of color and students from underserved and underrepresented communities." Third world bandwagon, I suspect. All receiving a university education courtesy of the California taxpayer and affirmative action.
4. We could do lawfare much better than Israel's enemies.
Chaim ,   Israel   (03.15.12)
The brain power is all on the side of Israel and her supporters. Our foes don't have anyone with the intelligence or courge to publicly debate pro-Israel voices such as Dershowitz or MK Danny Ayalon. Once Israel and her friends truly join the lawfare right, we will do it much better than Israel's enemies. When our rights are violated on campus, in addition to all necessary measures to defend our rights, let's sue them till it hurts.
5. The way around!!!
Beary White ,   Norway   (03.15.12)
So how legal is it for pro-pal/leftwingers to intimidate pro-israelis and pro-usa students? Or is it time to close up- univeristies where the main object is to spread hate against USA and other contries?
6. Eventually, we are all going to move to Israel >
Moshe ,   Usa   (03.15.12)
our children will meet their spouses. And they will be fully accepted into the country, particularly if you kick the arobs out. And the presently random antisemitism in the diaspora will be a foreign memory.
7. Behold, the leaders of tomorrow! Behold, and weap.
Raymond in DC ,   Washington, USA   (03.15.12)
To think, families and students are going seriously into debt to get an "education", but they're getting something else entirely.
8. Israel can only blame itself for its decades of zero........
Sarah ,   Israel   (03.15.12)
rebuttle to PA lies and propoganda.... Absolutely incompetent and ineffective hasbara and non-existent education (to the world) about Jewish history in Israel. I blame the current situation mostly on secular leftist Israelis (and leftist diaspora Jews) who dent the connection between G-d and the Jewish people AND the WHOLE land of Israel. But I also greatly blame Benjamin Netanyahu and past PM's!!! How can we expect the world to KNOW the truth if they don't say it?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9. Digging their own graves
tiki ,   belgium   (03.15.12)
That's what these, once progressive & open minded institutions have become. A micro battleground instead of a place where one could broaden ones horizon. The influence of these non-democratic, racist agitators & little dictators will bring down the level of US/EU Universities to the level of the education system of their beloved "Palestinians. The ones to blame are the leaderships of these universities, those who, for big Arab contributions, let their Universities be hijacked, untll it will be to late.
10. Truth is always a threat, especially to Israel and
Edithann ,   USA   (03.15.12)
Israeli Firsters! TATA
11. #10 Israel Firsters
Mickey ,   Sydney Australia   (03.16.12)
Better than being a PalFirster anytime
12. Berkeley Campus, wannabe hippies
Jacob, Berkeley Nati ,   Holon, Israel   (03.16.12)
Berkeley is a huge problem because of its history. A lot of people arrive as students in Berkeley and think "oh, I'm in berkeley now, I need to protest something and get a tie dye shirt!.... look at those people over there, they're loud, this Palestine thing seems to be important, I know nothing about it, I think I'll support it!" And so it begins.........
13. #8
Bill ,   Canada   (03.16.12)
Have you more imaginary friends or is he the only one?
14. the 30's revisited ..... in America
yossi   (03.16.12)
Is this the new America? Obama's America?.The type of "academic freedom" reminiscent of the 20's, 30's ,all leading to the same denominators -- Hate, Power, Dictatorship?. We seem to be getting there under the guidance of Saudi Arabia and islamic koranic literature. The most promonent to date is of course SHARIA, sweeping Europe and making inrow in the land of the free.Are we doomed ?. the goons that enforced Nazi ideology are here, in droves in our Universities and colleges, teachers and staff included. Will America wake up in time?
15. To: No. 10
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (03.16.12)
Which "truth" are you talking about, Idiotann? I don't suppose it would be the "truth" that the ersatz "Palestinians" propagate, now, would it? How about the "truth" of the "poor, defensless ersatz 'Palestinians'" that have fired eleven thousand missiles and fifteen thousand mortars at Israeli civilian centers? Would it be that? Or would it be the fictional "history" that was invented by the ersatz "Palestinians?" I could go on, but I know better than to unduly tax what passes for your "brain."
16. And at Ben Gurion University?
Ira ,   NYC   (03.16.12)
Things are even worse! Freedom of speech for Zionists is suppressed by the tenured Left.
17. #8 i agree with you 1000%
Mike ,   St Albans, UK   (03.16.12)
and its a source of huge frustration Israel's hasbara is laughable - i live in the UK and I have never seen one line defending Isael from an Israeli source
18. #1 so what changed your mind?
Mike ,   St Albans, UK   (03.16.12)
19. #12
mark ,   ca   (03.16.12)
Jacob,there is few Israeli born professors who teach at Berkeley and spread anti-Israeli venom.Not only local students.
20. to 15
(03.16.12)
the truth is ten not fifteen ..hahaha
21. Go ahead LGBT helpmthe Muslims take over...
J Galt ,   Hidden Valley, USA   (03.17.12)
Then you will find out who is third on the list to eliminate... Right behind Israel and the USA.
22. to 12
(03.17.12)
realy palastine has more supporters without protesting and these are the cause of protesting prepalastinians i think you are young to know such a thing about supporting
23. to 14
(03.17.12)
before 50 years i was scare from freedom of thnking first but sure i was so young and so wrong . .please do not scare the thinking do not ran behind posters or scare the freedom in thinking
24. American universities submit to terror !!!
Sharon ,   Israel   (03.17.12)
The TERRORISTS from Gaza have conquered the American campuses! They vigorously exploit "the freedom of speech" to demonize Israel. It is us who live daily under terror-not the Gazans! The terrorists target their rockets only at civilians !!! American universities don't submit to the terrorists who , of course, do not protest against their noble friend'd massacres of children in Syria. This conquest of the American universities by pro-terrorists -is a disgrace to America.
25. NPR Supporting campus/Intellectual Anti-Israel/Semitism
Mark vanHudson ,   San Antonio, TX: USA   (03.17.12)
There is a pervasive belief in American intellectual circles that all complex questions can be answered by identifying the most convenient "oppressed" group. Since Israeli-Palestinian issues are complex, it is easy to appease this demand by portraying Palestinian Arabs as victims. The latest is National Public Radio (NPR). Their reportedr Garcia-Navarro has little grasp of the issues and tends to submit reports that reflect articles from Al-Jazeera.com. Given the general cloak of credibility that NPR has she is a powerful weapon for the Palestinians. Given the general climate of growing Anti-Semitism in the US she provides a veil of credibility for those who would destroy and humiliate us.
26. tickle me timber
bob dentan ,   buffalo new york   (03.17.12)
Did someone say eviscerate Israel with impunity??? Through in liberal affected self righteousness and you got a sale??!! :=) How do you know who the victim is in any regional conflict??? Who ever has (or appears to have) the darkest skin...... (along with any historical misnomers which confer bogus indigenous status). LSD and strawberry fields forever!
27. As Americans we enjoy 'freedom of speech"
Bad Assed Jew ,   United States   (03.18.12)
We do not tolerate fools lightly. These anti Israeli anti semitic beasts had their say now, it's our turn. Despicable turds, canot stand others views as they add facts not fiction from 'the invented people.' Delighted to see that the pals are defeated on campus as they are wherever they raise their terrorists heads.
28. campus hatred
(03.18.12)
#17 My point exactly.I have made many phone calls to Jewish organisations in Manchester and London enquiring if they have speakers willing to come to my local college to stand up for Israel . The students there have had delegations from 'Palestine' on many occasions - my hope for them to hear the counter argument never got off the ground. Why does Israel not talk back ?
29. Assaults on Freedom on Campus
CB ,   USA   (03.18.12)
These will continue until they are stopped.Students, professors, alumni, and donors must join together and have a multi-layered strategy and ready tactics. I would like to know, how many of these socalled Palestinian students, the underrepresented, are citizens, or here on student visas. Those that are causing havoc and are not citizens should be reported and confronted, and sued as well. Whatever adult groups are supporting and supplying these anti-Freedom, anti-Semitic groups must be investigated and outed as soon as possible.Immediate lawsuits should be a fast and handy weapon to employ. The schools' boards and President have to be questioned, and donors funds withheld. Enough of this victimhood reaction. We have to actively stand up for freedom and force the case of exposing the lies . It is they who are abusing the system. not we who are pro-Israel and pro-Freedom.
30. Hostile and Foreign Propaganda
jooboi ,   los angeles, ca   (03.23.12)
Deport these professors in question, or imprison them.
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