Opinion
Prof. Hawking, a boycott is a black hole too
Tzahi Gavrieli
Published: 11.05.13, 12:25
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1. He's not quite the genius ....
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (05.11.13)
.... people think. Remember the issue over the "naked singularity" -- you can't do a square root of a negative number, and some physicists and mathematicians ridiculed Hawking over it; Hawking actually apologized publicly -- and he was very scornful of string theory. Well, well, well. Einstein still reigns. Hawking can stay home. He's already written his way into the Guinness Book of World Records -- the longest-living ALS survivor of all time. Given the fact that the average life span of a person diagnosed with ALS is somewhere between two to five years, one does wonder if Hawking has ALS at all, or if it's just part of his propaganda machine .... Anyway, some of his scholarship is undeniably brilliant; a lot of it has been wrong. We don't need him in Israel. Let him stay in the U.K. -- Israel should BDS him!
2. Prof. Hawking
Brian ,   USA   (05.11.13)
Professor Hawking once compared the death of a human with that of a broken computer on a scrap heap. So much for the world's smartest guy.
3. Following Herd
Zechariah   (05.11.13)
First it ought be admitted Arabs are often bullied but plenty of others are as bad much worse
4. Ignorant person
Rhonda ,   Chicago, USA   (05.11.13)
You wrote a wonderful column. As for Hawking, he can go to hell. Sorry for swearing, I try not not to do that online, but truly this is how I feel. I wish an Israeli scientist would find the cure for ALS- first because the cure is needed and second so we could say to Hawking, "we thought you were boycotting us." I guess it's a case of being a smart scientist but lacking an inner moral compass.
5. Where is the grey in your article?
Awad ,   Brussels, Belgium   (05.11.13)
For example, you ask professor Hawking to come to Jerusalem, defined as Israel’s capital. This is a big, very big black hole. From your previous occupations, you know that Jerusalem will never ever be only Israel’s capital. If you where from the ‘other side’, that is Palestinian, you would have wrote, long ago, how unjust this world not to have boycotted the occupiers from the first day, including scientific, cultural, economic and political aspects. South African apartheid regime fell only after the whole world boycotted it. The moment the last, and most powerful country on earth, the USA, has stopped helping it, it just scrambled. There is no other way today to force Israelis to understand that occupation can’t go forever. Or may be you are prefer war? Anyway, you are an excellent propagandist. Just like Gobbles.
6. I love Zionist crap about dialogue
Jarda ,   Czech Republic   (05.11.13)
Did anyone talk to Palestinians if they agree that a national homeland of immigrants from Eastern Europe will be built in Palestine. Or is dialogue just one way road?
7. Physicists Pontificate, It's what they do.
David Wade ,   Jemez Springs, USA   (05.11.13)
Never take a Physicist's word about anything involving "People." He'll tell you that himself. You people are making way too much about his opinion. A Physicist is somebody who spends the first 40 years of his life doing Physics and hiding away from people. Why would you even consider what he has to say about "people" relevant?
8. #1, Ms. Sarah B, personal attacks backfire
Rachel Rabin ,   TA, Israel   (05.11.13)
Ms. B, I do not believe that your arguments will benefit from personal attacks on Professor Hawking. He is a genius, world-famous scientist of great intellect and many accomplishments. Argue the facts and the logic not the person. Personal attacks only show how hard Professor Hawking's boycott had hit the credibility of our government's occupation and colonializaton of Palestine. We will not be able to sustain such an extreme stance and must work towards a peaceful end to our occupation this year. We must strongly support and work hard towards establishing the State of Palestine. This is the right, moral, Jewish thing to do. This is in our interests and for our survival.
9. Kol hakavod!
Mira ,   Vienna   (05.11.13)
I completely agree with you! Maybe the problem is that Hawking is getting weeker by the day and more exposed to extreme influence as we know the Palestinians exorted on him in that case. He did NOT decide himself, he changed his first decision in front of the pressure on him. This is not a victory of the Palestinians, this is a shame for them.
10. not my support
Marcel ,   San Jose, Costa Rica   (05.11.13)
I am disgusted that Stephen Hawkings would give in to pressure from others about attending a conference. From Noam Chomsky, I don't expect more. I cannot stand this self-righteous idiot.
11. Boycotts
Simon ,   UK   (05.11.13)
Excellent Article. I was rather sadden by the decision of the Prof to boycott, but more than that disappointed that he is not able to apply the intellectual rigour to this subject that he applies to his scientific research. Boycotts don't work. Whilst the left like to think it did in the case of South Africa its wishful thinking on behalf of the left. One only has to check what the last white President of south Africa has to say on what motivated him to change. But why let the facts get in the way of a good political myth.
12. The Micro Chip which enables him to speak is made in Israel!
Son Of Cyrus   (05.11.13)
13. The Prof
A V ,   London .Uk   (05.11.13)
Thank you for great comment
14. After reading Sarah B.'s comment
Nir ,   Tel Aviv   (05.11.13)
Sarah B. is not quite the genius
15. Well said!!
Elizabeth Biggin ,   UK   (05.11.13)
It is sad when even one of the most brilliant minds in the world bends to Arab propaganda and lies. It is also a demonstration of how much the Western world, once the beacon of the world, has sunk.
16. He's been in Israel four times- more than av. US talkbackers
N ,   N   (05.11.13)
An ynetnews report three days ago (Report: Hawking pulls out of Jerusalem conference in protest) stated, that he "... has visited Israel four times in the past. Most recently, in 2006, he delivered public lectures at Israeli and Palestinian universities as the guest of the British embassy in Tel Aviv."
17. "outrageous when intellectuals boycott an entire people"
Albrecht   (05.11.13)
Therefore Tzchi Gavrieli would NEVER boycott e.g. the third reich. Ofcourse. It is "outrageous" when "intellectuals, scientists and cultural leaders in particular boycott an entire people" You and your double standards.
18. im not sure
anton ,   istanbul   (05.11.13)
why you have brought your childhood into this piece maybe you felt it would be better reading when an opinion is endorsed with an dream and emotion, good job :) as for boycotss you have said they are reverse and negative but you have overlooked the fact that they themselves are a result of negative actions of yours , why do you expect others to be positive? people doesnt not engage in boycotss unless they are sure you are wrong so in this case of hawking he must be preeety sure after analyzing the "grey" areas of israeli palestinian conflict this man lives his life just by thinking so its funny some says he is manipulated, dear author if hawking came to israel and ciriticized you, it would fall on deaf ears rather he saved efforts and joined negative block(which you are already a member) , thus sent strong message this move by one of the smartest man on earth is trouble for israelis more than what bds could achive can be achived with him, dont be surprised if bds now more popular
19. Dear Prof.
Sagi   (05.11.13)
I cordially suggest that you embrace the next session of the Arab League, the world's largest terror group, and grace them with your presence.
20. To #1 Sarah the time has come
Stan ,   Israel   (05.11.13)
to try to work together. We both want Israel to survive forever. We both want Israel to be a source of pride and security for the Jews of the world. You lash out at anybody who dares to criticise Israel. How do you know that "Your way is right"? Israel has apologised to Turkey for killing 9 people on the Marmera, and is going to pay compensation to their families. Israel is now meeting with leaders of J Street. (Two examples from the last week) Shas has just announced that Israel should consider the latest Arab Peace Proposals! Shas ! Did you know that in the last Elections in South Africa before Nelson Mandela's release, the Nationalist party had it's biggest majority ever. Helen Suzman was the lone MP who said that Apartheid must end (See Mandela's autobiography) I too would like all of Eretz Yisrael to be part of Israel, but to keep our army in territory which no country in the world considers ours will lead to nogood..
21. To: No. 8
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (05.11.13)
Why do you profess to be someone you are not? And, assuming you are who you claim to be -- who are you to lecture anyone on the "right, moral Jewish thing to do." Exactly how right and moral were the foreign investment accounts and foreign bank accounts you maintained in the United States in contravention of Israeli law? Answer that -- or shut up.
22. #1 sarah
solomon ,   bklyn   (05.11.13)
Ever hear of Einstein's Cosmological Constant, his "greatest blunder"? His words. No one is perfect. Not even you.
23. #20 Stan
Nava ,   jerusalem   (05.11.13)
While i do not agree with an approach of personal insults, and find it totally counterproductive, I am finding it difficult to understand how you can live in Israel and say the things you said. Perhaps you are visiting and not really living here. I am failing to understand why it is appropriate to apologize for self defense, or how you can possibly compare us to South Africa. Have you ever been in our hospitals where many Dr's are Arab, and patients from Gaza and your Palestinian area are being treated - often for free? Do you go to your kupah (cholim) where many specialists are Arab doctors, have you observed the Knesset, been in our court system with Arab judges? Attended our universities, where many - both students and professors - are Arab ? Are you ignorant of what the PA teaches and advocates, let alone does? Eretz Yisrael aside, you really think it's appropriate to withdraw into an even smaller space than we live in now and give the Land where our army protects us to those who have vowed by BOTH words and actions, to murder every last Jew in the middle east, to have ONLY Palestine from the River to the Sea ?? Seriously ??
24. Attacking Prof. Hawking doesn't make Israel look good.
Rich ,   Toronto, Canada   (05.11.13)
And by the way, Israel is not a Democracy because there is no accountability in the government. The political system has to be changed.
25. If He Had Decided To Come ....
World Citizen ,   the world   (05.11.13)
Sarah would have said he was the greatest scientist since Einstein. Now because he is siding on the right side of history he is the longest- living ALS survivor or maybe he's faking it! Israel doesn't need any more friends. It needs to get rid of backers who make it look crass.
26. #5 awad - thank you!
solomon ,   bklyn   (05.11.13)
“Or maybe you prefer war”? Thank you for pointing out the main problem in the ME; that most arabs always go straight to war. They started it way before 1948 and continue to this day. You show no sign of accepting even a sliver of the REestablished Israel. You even call Israel apartheid. (Arabs in Israel vote, are represented in government, go to the same hospitals as Jews to be treated by the same Jewish and arab doctors and nurses, etc. Hamas wants to kill all the Jews, Abbas has said that the WB will be judenrein. Who is apartheid? Hint: it ain’t the Jews.)
27. #5 awad, #6 jarda
solomon ,   bklyn   (05.11.13)
The arabs came in with the Muslim Conquest in the late 600’s AD. The Jews came about two thousand years before. Occupiers? Look in a mirror. The arabs of 1948 insisted they were NOT "Palestinians", but that they were Egyptian, Syrian, etc. "Palestinians" in 1948 were the Jews. The arabs took on that title in the 1960's as propaganda and have admitted as much. The only 'dialogue' the "Pals" want is to get everything they want, and then to kill the Jews. But you love all that crap, don't you?
28. Even Geniuses can be racists
Avi ,   USA   (05.11.13)
It seems only the Jew is allowed to be discriminated against by the world brain trust and elites. Is it any wonder that there was a Holocaust?. Do you trust the world and these people to come to the Jews rescue? Anti-semitism is the new cool thing among these snobs. It's time to boycott them. All Jews should stop the funding of these people and their respective universities.
29. To: No. 22
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (05.11.13)
I've never claimed to be perfect. Unlike Professor Hawking, who is reputed to be arrogant beyond words. The difference between Professor Hawking and Professor Einstein is that Professor Einstein remained humble his entire life. The same cannot be said for Professor Hawking. And Professor Einstein's greatest blunder is small change compared to some of the whopping blunders made by Professor Hawking. The difference is that Professor Einstein owned up to them. He was the quintessential theoretical physicist. You throw ideas out there, and then wait for input from your fellow physicists. Hawking, too, is a theoretical physicist, but only the ridicule of the entire community of theoretical physicists could coax an apology out of him, and it only happened the once. He's the great Stephen Hawking -- how can he possibly be wrong about anything? Truly a legend in his own mind. His "ideas" have not been his own for a very long time. He has consistently surrounded himself with the best and the brightest physicists and mathematicians that the U.K. has to offer, and I their ideas magically become Hawking's. And lest you think I am being arrogant -- I'm not the one who put forth that suspicion -- Richard Feynman did. Ever hear of him?
30. To: No. 25
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (05.11.13)
No one has ever heard of anyone living with ALS for forty-plus years. "Right side of history?" Oh, supporting a population that espouses violence and terror and seeks the destruction of the State of Israel and the extermination and/or expulsion of the Jewish people from their homeland constitutes being on the "right side of history?" Aside from underscoring what a crass individual you are, what do you suppose espousing such a belief says about you? Israel does not have any friends. You'd all sell us out in a hot minute if you could. History does not lie.
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