Opinion  Others
Brandeis U. under 'friendly fire'
Prof. Dror Zeevi
Published: 26.02.07, 22:37
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1. You miss the point
David ,   Montreal, Canada   (02.26.07)
The problem is one of balance--you've listed Carter et al, as well as assorted leftists. Who has the center invited from the right, either to "join the "team" or to speak or to get an honorary degree? Pluarlism is fine, the problem is that many universities aren't plualistic, something particularly odious in this context.
2. Brandeis
Garnel Ironheart ,   Toronto, ON   (02.27.07)
This article is interesting for its one-sided bias. I do not doubt that if Brandeis had hired a right wing Israeli scholar who had ties to Kach and associated with right wing Israeli political figures who reject the idea of a Palestinian state to found a program at the university, Prof Zeevi would have been one of the leading protestors against that program, probably using words like "intolerance", "racism" and "reactionary" to express his opposition. What cannot be denied is that of all the participants in the program, none of them are "pro-Israel" and if they are considered friends of Israel, it doesn't say much for the state's social network. Most Israelis aren't in favour of a Palestinian state, at least not one on this planet (perhaps Mercury), only most of the people Zeevi speaks to.
3. Brandeis U.
nathanl leibowitz ,   sherman oaks, usa   (02.27.07)
Nonsense. Professor........are you as concerned when speakers that are right of center are hooted off the stage and are often not even allowed to speak at many major elite US univ. And this is all under the guise from the Univ that "we the univ cannot secure the area and therefore it is unsafe for the speaker to come." Their are many more examples of this type than what you profess in your opinion piece.
4. insane
cordier   (02.26.07)
Israel must cease to finance anti zionist jew and give pro palestinians and pro islamic scholars posts in israeli universitie. Jewish israelis are financing their destructions. A gang of leftists had hijacked some israelis universities and are promoting "politicals" professors as Ariel Toaff (the man who had written that jews drank christian blood). These same "professors" sign petitions boycotting their universitiies and make conference denuncing the fascist state of israel. israeli stupidy and self destruction must cease.
5. majority says????
chava ,   yerushalayim   (02.26.07)
I beg to differ with the good professor. I don't know where he finds his "majority" but I think it's probably not in the same places that I frequent. I don't know anyone who feels that "Palestinian" state should be set up alongside Israel. And peace may be made with enemies, but not when they're still wanting us to disappear completely, not when they're wanting ALL the land. And that's PEACE, not PIECE. Although the majority that I see and know disagree completely with Prof. Ze'evi, I can imagine that amongst those he knows, what he says is true. It's too bad he doesn't recognize that there are very many who disagree with him. I doubt very much that a clear majority agrees with him.
6. No Israeli PM will be alowed to speak in a US university
John ,   New York   (02.27.07)
Neither Princeton, nor Harvard or Berkley will alow to speak any Israeli PM, Natanyahu or Barak, or Sharon in the past. The reason is that pro-PLO students will bring a big problem for police. Anyone giving money to Brandeis should be ashamed.
7. A complete misrepresentation
Ed ,   Athens, USA   (02.27.07)
Ze'evi knows nothing about the academic disputes in the US. In suggesting that Jews in the US are against a two state solution, he completely misses the majority view. The objection to faculty at Brandeis' mid-east center, as I understand it, is not to Palestinians who advocate a two state solution, but to people who push the old Arab line, the one state solution. It's not made by a bunch of right wing nut cases, but by people who would like to see the state of Israel continue to exist as a Jewish state.
8. Sooooo, did Brandeis U. too get a huge grant from the Saudis
AK   (02.27.07)
Or are the Jews going to have to pay to Islamize this school set up with the Jewish money to supposedly provide a friendly environment for Jewish students and scholars? Let’s me see: should hiring terrorist sympathizers (at the very least, sympathizers) as faculty; inviting anti-Semitic ex-Presidents to give them a forum; organizing slanted and anti-Israeli exhibits be a reason for criticizing this 'Jewish University'? Never.
9. The author is in a great need to read 'The Oslo Syndrome'
AK   (02.27.07)
10. Natana DeLong-Bas - another Brandeis extremist
Raymond from DC ,   Washington, DC USA   (02.27.07)
I note that Prof. Ze'evi says nothing about Dr. Natana DeLong-Bas, who has taught in the Department of Near East and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University. Given her apologetics for Wahabbist Islam (and her suggestion that bin Laden was not involved in the 9/11 attacks), one wonders what the he** she is doing at Brandeis? http://www.memri.org/bin/opener_latest.cgi?ID=SD140607#_edn3
11. The donations to Brandeis should stop
Jenny ,   USA   (02.27.07)
It's a free country, if Brandeis wants to invite anti-Israel people to speak against Israel and teach there then OK, but then the people who donate to Brandeis are free to stop funding the university. These haters can't have their cake and eat it too.
12. from a former Brandeis student
john ,   waltham   (02.27.07)
As a recent graduate of Brandeis I can say that the author has no clue about the reality of what is going on at Brandeis which has some of the most honest and open debates of any university.
13. We Don't Need More Propaganda.
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (02.27.07)
There's quite enough anti-Israel propaganda without supporting it at our own institutions. These academics represent no one but themselves, their views are rejected by most Israelis & most Jews world-wide. The more their ideas are seen as failures, the louder these left wing academics cry.
14. #10, 12
Mike ,   Waltham   (02.27.07)
I'm currently a sophomore at Brandeis and I'm disgusted by the one sided slant of the university. DeLong-Bas is a catastrophe (how the hell did Reinharz pull that off?!), as is Gordy Fellan. #12 -- honest debates??!! Have you ever been to the Crown center talks? They are so slanted to the left -- Shai Feldman showcasing all of his Labor friends, it's completely unbalanced, though I have to say I get a good laugh every time Khalil Shikaki gets it wrong with his famous polls. On top of all that, Daniel Pipes (who was compared to Norm Finkelstein by Dr. Hose, Reinharz' go to guy) isn't allowed to speak on campus -- yeah #12 that's fair debate. I swear, if I wasn't on financial aid scholarship, I'd transfer tomorrow and I'm honestly thinking about doing it anyways. STOP ALL DONATIONS TO BRANDEIS NOW!!!
15. Keeping Brandeis from degrading to Ben Gurion
Ilan ,   Ariel   (02.27.07)
I wonder how many pro-Kahane professors teach in his department in Ben Gurion. Or even how many professors who are actually pro-Zionist? Going to the American Jewish community to fund an anti-Zionist takeover of the political science department at Brandeis is just too hard a sell. Keep the Israeli radical left as far away as possible. It is a totalitarian ideology
16. BRANDEIS
DAN ,   USA   (02.27.07)
What is happening at Brandeis is happening at most major, well endowed, universities in the U.S. Their faculties are overwhelmingly far left avocates who preach the doctrine of multi culturalism and they have large numbers of vocal muslim students. Most of their Presidents are also far left wingers and also advocates of political correctness, so it is next to impossible for any agenda that is center to right to be heard. It will only get worse in the years ahead.
17. Daniel Pipes on Brandeis University
Jeanette ,   Haifa, Israel   (02.27.07)
Earlier this month the renowned Middle East scholar, Dr. Daniel Pipes, wrote on the subject of Brandeis University. The article can be accessed at: http://www.danielpipes.org/article/4275 His column gives a rather different picture of events at Brandeis!
18. Is the issue Political Incorrectness?
JPS ,   Efrat   (02.27.07)
What exactly is "pluralistic thought"? Is pluralism that which is defined by Merriam-Webster as "a state of society in which members of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, or social groups maintain an autonomous participation in and development of their traditional culture or special interest within the confines of a common civilization" ? There are two terms in the definition that are suspect when it comes to the implementation of pluralism at western universities: diverse and autonomous. As other talkbackers have mentioned, Zeevi's concept of pluralistc thought is often interpreted as leftist-humanist-pc thought, which is antithetical to anything that challenges it. Far from supporting autonomy of thought and input, modern secular pluralism has become intolerant of anything that is not secular pluralist (unless, of course, it is a fringe esoteric group that can be adopted for its cuteness). Thus, for example, a group of left-wing secularist pluralists who meet with right-wing religious Jews to discuss bridging the gap between the two sides will take offense when the right-wingers insist on having a break for afternoon prayers and call it religious coersion, yet will bend over backwards for any non-related minority religious sect that asks for the same. Zeevi should realize that universities are under fire not for their pluralistic based tolerance, but for the intolerance that has become part of it. While questioning why Brandeis is under attack, Zeevi and Brandeis should also be questioning themselves about why Carter refuses to debate his book in public, and only appears when there is nobody to challenge him formally. Giving Carter a platform at Brandeis allowed him to spread the lie that equates Israel with apartheid South Africa. Universities are supposed to be all about challenging the theories that are put forward - and Brandeis appears to be avoiding this.
19. REINHARTZ YOU ARE A FOOL" THINK ABOUT IT"
angry reuven ,   usa   (02.27.07)
donors should not support Brandeis So long as he remains the University's president.you and your parents lived and benefited from israel after you were saved from nazi germany.is this the way you pay off your duty to israel?you are no longer a jew annd you have shamed all who gave their life in camps.to me you are no different than arafat yimah shemo ve zikhro.
20. Ze'evi afflicted with Oslo Pschosis, Ivory Tower strain
Yacov ,   Ashkelon   (02.27.07)
Prof. Ze'evi is afflicted with Oslo Psychosis, of the Ivory Tower genetic strain.
21. Yet another anti-Israel leftist post-ZIonist
Shmuel Karve ,   Beer Sheba   (02.27.07)
moonbat from BGU's fever swamp of anti-Zionism
22. Freedom of Speech
joel ,   White Plains NY   (02.27.07)
Freedom of Speech applies to the right as well as the left. Jimmy Carter is free to marginalize Israel at Brandeis and those groups who the good professor calls right wing have an equal right to criticize Brandeis. Perhaps the Professor should spend more time learning what freedom of speech actually means.
23. What's wrong in Beer Sheva
David ,   Teich   (02.27.07)
A Left wing prof is upset that he can't enforce political correctness except at his own university. That Brandeis donors would say he can spout pro-terrorist nonsense but they'll just stop giving money, that's not abrogation of free speech -- it's the democratic response to free speech. In the socialist atmosphere at Ben Gurion U, they find it difficult to understand that their choices have repercussions. Welcome to the real world, Dror.
24. a must see for Zeevi
Ahmad Rinawi ,   Dearborn, mich, usa   (02.27.07)
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/islamic-mein-kampf
25. Collaborating with the enemy
Norman C. ,   Orlando, Florida   (02.27.07)
Prof.Ze'evi is the one of those members of faculty not just of Brandeis U., but of the U.of Beer-Sheva and Haifa, who are actively collaborating with and encouraging the enemy. The leftist faculty members are encouraging their students to invite men like Shkaki to teach, Kushner to honor and Carter\ to speak . When .American Jewry reacts negatively to such a collaboration with the enemy, it's always "hawkish", "right-wing" and misled. The worst Anti-Semites in America are on the Campuses: islamofascist students and faculty. President Reinharz should think over his policies, if he expects funding from those "hawkish" Jews. But so should the U.of Beer-Sheva and the U.of Haifa. reacts to it negatively,
26. Zeevi article
I. Barr ,   Detroit, USA   (02.27.07)
Prof. Dror Zeevi from Ben Gurion University article in Yediot is typical for radical Israeli academics: the lingo suggests that "Zionist right wing activists" attack Middle East program at Brandeis University. Anybody who has the audacity to criticize this program, free speech or not, has to be a "Zionist right wing activist." What is a Zionist right wing activist? In Zeevi lingo to be such is equated to a racist Apartheid loving person, a subhuman. Only him, a professor at BGU, has the moral, ethical, humanistic statue to express an opinion. Zionism is a racism as defined by Durban meeting a few years ago yet revoked by the international society but not by Zeevi and his Israeli academic friends. He is for a "world without Zionism" as suggested by Iran's Ahmadinejad. He does not agree that those who participate in the Brendeis Middle East Center will include ALL aspects of politics in the area including those who Zeevi is calling "right wing activists." They do have an opinion, but theirs is so inferior to the radical left dogma that they need not to be heard. The program has to support the superior radical left ideology. While Palestinians have a stage in Brandeis, "Zionist right wing activists" do not have an outlet in the Jewish University of Brendeis. A fair, balanced and accurate is not an opportunity to express personal opinions and suggestions. Shkaki was wrong to try bypass Israeli judicial system by a paper from Boston. Zeevi adopts the radical left American lingo promoted by Carter that AIPAC and others crush those who oppose them. By doing so Zeevi is trying to silence criticism which he could not do otherwise. He does not specifically mention what these Jewish organizations are doing but bundles them up as a terrorist organizations involved in subversive activity. Zeevi does not allow them free speech. Zeevi also finds it necessary to suggest that "The majority of Israeli citizens believe that a Palestinian state should be set up alongside Israel, and that peace is also made with bitter enemies." There is no question in global Jewish mind that peace and tranquility is the utmost desire of all. Zeevi fails to address the homicide bombers, the Qassam missiles launchers, the Hamas radicals, the continuous indoctrination in kindergartens, schools and universities to hate Jews and Israel, to denounce coexistence. Given those, many feel that the new Middle East center in Brendeis is a new arm of Palestinian/Arab propaganda machine which exploits the naivety of willing radical Israeli academics who have their own motivations to cooperate with them. Prof. I. Barr, Michigan, USA
27. Crazy
Yonatan ,   USA   (02.27.07)
This is pure insanity to me. Jews are still debating about what we want from the Palestinians and how much hate, violence, and racism we will accept from them. We can't agree amongst ourselves and while we waste our time with our internal arguments the vast majority of palestinians, muslims, and arabs have already unanimously decided that they hate Israel and the Jews. Since they have already made up their minds they are quickly implementing steps to destroy Israel and kill Jews. And what are we doing? Oh wait...just give us another moment....we haven't decided if we want to colaborate with the enemy or live.
28. Universities are not Congresses
Professor AI ,   Waltham MA   (02.28.07)
I work at Brandeis, and 98% of all events are pro-Israel. For every Palestine-Sympathizer, there are 100 BIPAC'ers. The left wing commie pinko jews of 1948 are long gone. The Univ. is a truly capitalist enterprise now, with many republican professors, spinoff companies, and a B-school. In fact nobody at Brandeis would deny the holocaust, or would attack Israel's right to exist. In fact, not one professor signed the Divestment movement started at MIT and Harvard. I'll tell you who's crazy. Its the Kleins and Pipes and Hiers and so on who fancy themselves as Jewish "leaders" because they can emotionally manipulate their "followers" to make donations and write nasty letters whenever they find an idea which deviates from the party line. The idea of Jews following the techniques of Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority, and James Dobson's "Focus on the family" to punish certain thoughts is an abomination. We are the people of the book, not the book burners. The "friendly fire" of having people (who never made a donation) threaten to never make a donation isn't much of a scorcher; its just a waste of time for staff to make personal replies, instead of rudely ignoring them. And to attribute blame to President Reinharz, an eminent zionist scholar, for the opinions of random lecturers and visiting professors is also nuts. A University is not a congress "voting" on laws, nor it is an editoral page editor selecting letters, nor it is a manipulable web poll. Generating nasty letters "on Israel's side" to any university, whether Brandeis or BGU, is a complete waste of time.
29. Zeevi doesn't get it.......................
NS ,   Long Island, NY   (02.28.07)
For a professor, Dror Ze'evi doesn't get it. Brandeis is a private university unlike Israeli universities which get government budgets. The donors are people who run all soughts of enterprises (unlike Ze'evi who was never responsible for signing anything other than his own paycheck) and they can do whatever they like with their money. So Brandeis can invite Holacaust deniers, white southern bigots and left wing anti-Israel producers to the campus. The donors on the other hand can take their money and go. This is called freedom Mr. Ze'evi; get use to it!
30. BGU's humanities faculty sucks
Former BGU student ,   Israel   (03.02.07)
Need I say more? Poor Prof. Zeevi, he is actually not as left-wing as he is being labeled here. On the other hand he is on the staff of one of the more rabidly anti-Zionist and anti-Israel faculties in the country so something appears to have rubbed. off. And the humanities faculty at BGU is one of the worst academic institutions in Israel.
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