Susan Tuchman, Director of ZOA’s Center for Law and Justice and Mort Klein, ZOA National President, write about an antisemitic SJP event at the University of South Florida.
Last November, USF’s anti-Israel group — the so-called “Students for Justice in Palestine” (SJP) — sponsored a game show competition called “Battle of the Bulls,” modeled on the TV show “Jeopardy!” Seven other student organizations participated, and were asked to answer questions that promoted lies about Jews and Israel.
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One Jewish student at the event was so troubled that she complained in a letter to the editor of theOracle. At least one other student filed a formal grievance.
Read the full article by following the link above.
The Executive Director of ZOA’s West Coast and Pacific Region discusses the misperceptions and outright lies being spread by Pro-Palestinian groups on America’s College Campuses.
The theme of the SJP national conference at Stanford next week is “From Margin to Center: Connecting Struggles, Forging a National Movement.” According to the website promoting the event, “The struggle for Palestinian liberation is deeply intertwined with the fight against patriarchy (sexism, homophobia, cissexism, ableism), racism, and capitalism…”
Considering the culture that is cultivated in Palestinian society, and what a Palestinian state would entail, this cynical rebranding effort, designed to appeal to impressionable, idealistic students on campus, must be exposed for what it is: a fraud.
For further reading, follow the link above.
During a debate on whether to take action in Syria Thursday, in the UK’s House of Commons, MP George Galloway denied that he said Israel supplied al-Qaeda with chemical weapons used to kill scores of Syrian civilians in an attack near Damascus last week.
When challenged on the matter by Conservative MP Matthew Offord, Galloway replied, “I said no such thing.”
Unfortunately for Galloway, a well circulated video of his comments about Israel show his claim in parliament to be false.
Below is a petition to stop the cultural boycott of Israel and urge artists not to fall victim to the bullying tactics and misinformed campaign of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel (BDS) movement.
To sign it follow the link above.
Dear Artist,
We, the undersigned, wholeheartedly support your upcoming tour in Israel and your dedication to your fans across the globe.
We know you are hearing falsehoods about Israel being an apartheid state and unfair comparisons of Israel to apartheid South Africa. These messages are filled with distortions and untruths that seek to malign Israel and distort the discourse of those that seek peace.Those who have actually been to Israel know that it is a democratic country with a diverse population, where women, Arabs, Muslims, Christians and all minorities have equal rights; a nation where art and freedom of expression flourish. In fact, Arab-Israeli citizens serve on Israel’s Supreme Court and in its Parliament. The recently crowned Miss Israel was born in Ethiopia and quoted Martin Luther King in her acceptance speech! “There are many different communities of many different colors in Israel, and it’s important to show that to the world,” said the new Miss Israel.
We too wish for a resolution to the complicated Palestinian/Israeli peace process, and we believe that the unique connection between artist and fan is part of the solution. Music is a great tool–one that can be used for building bridges, dialogue and understanding between people. Cultural boycotts drown out freedom and the voices of change. Your voice, your message will touch hearts and minds in a region desperately looking for peace.
We therefore urge you to keep your tour date in Israel, the land Madonna calls “the energy center of the world.” Join the ranks of independent-minded artists who have performed in Israel recently, including Rihanna, Alanis Morissette, Alicia Keys, Macy Gray, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Black Eyed Peas, Missy Elliot, Metallica, Linkin Park, Lady Gaga, Seal, Erykah Badu and many others. Your fans in Israel are looking forward to seeing you and know that you will use the power of your music to help bring hope and peace to the region!
Thank you.