Video: Olmert prevented from speaking at University of Chicago
Shavua tov, a good week to everyone.For those of you who thought that it's only in Europe or Canada that pro-Israel speakers cannot speak, here's a sample from the United States. The following description is from the person who posted the video - it is not mine although I have edited it to cut out some offensive statements.
On 15 October 2009, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert came to give the annual King Abdullah II Leadership Lecture at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy.Let's go to the videotape. As much as I dislike Olmert, this is difficult to watch.
...
The Goldstone report, examining Israel's attack on Gaza last winter, while Olmert was prime minister, called for Israeli leaders to be held accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Recording and photography were officially banned at Olmert's request, but The Electronic Intifada had a camera anyway as protestor after protestor rose to make a statement before police forced them to leave.
Free speech? A few rabble rousers prevented it on Thursday.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:20 PM
5 Comments:
Chicago has a decent-sized Jewish community. Why the Jew's always have a hard time coming out to support Israel is beyond me. With all the self-hating Jews, you'd still expect more to come out.
"Recording and photography were officially banned at Olmert's request, but The Electronic Intifada had a camera anyway..."
The Electronic Intifada is headed by Ali Abunimah, a VERY close friend and associate of Hussein Obama.
I'm surprised to see the Olmert video, because it is chaotic situation. The video tells us about some participants are anggry with Olmert as Israel representative, because he is fr. PM Israel. Anyway if i was there, than i try in being able to understand the attitude or feelings of Israel as a state by Olmert as fr. PM ...
I detest Olmert. But one has to observe the extent of Judeophobia to know even a leftist Israeli is in trouble when he cannot speak at the University Of Chicago!
That's how bad things are for Israel these days.
I feel it is hypocritical of you to protest the disruption of Ehud Olmert's speech. Did you protest the denial of tenure at Depaul University of Dr. Norman Finklestein despite the support of his department? The opposition was led by Jewish communal organizations and Alan Dershowitz. Or the cancelation of speaking engagements by opponents of Israeli policy due to outside pressure? Or the fact that opponents of Israeli policy always seem to be required to have a pro Israeli speaker to "balance" them? Or that Alan Dershowitz can demand the right to choose those who will debate him? Or that he tried to prevent the publication of a Finklestein book by the U of California, even calling the Governor? Or the fact that Palestinian professors and students cannot travel within or outside the occupied territories to speak or study? Or the destruction of the Islamic University in Gaza on the grounds there were weapons or weapons research going on there (Israeli universities would also be legitimate targets under this excuse)? Or the late night house invasions and arrests of the citizens of Bilin, whose crime is nonviolent protest against the loss of their land to the Separation Barrier (despite the High Court of Justice's ruling to dismantle and move part of the barrier)?
If you wish to protest Olmert's treatment, you also need to address these issues.
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