This event, ‘a panel discussion examining Israeli Criminality in the wake of the Goldstone Retract’, is to be held at the University of Westminster on 3 May. As Mira Vogel reports over on Greens Engage, it is being promoted by Stormfront (link to cached page) and also by at least one local branch of the Stop the War Coalition
Here is the line up of speakers.
Although Harry’s Place readers are unlikely to be fans of any of the above, the speakers are not all equally objectionable. Atzmon clearly stands out as the most controversial figure on the list, and I am sure many ardent supporters of the Palestinian cause, and of Israel boycotts, would find his views unacceptable. I recommend reading Mira’s article in full for much more background detail on the speakers and additional analysis. Here are her concluding remarks
* If Rose and Karmi are unaware that they are to share a platform with Atzmon, they need to take action to distance themselves from this openly antisemitic, Holocaust denying campaigner. Hart too.
* Stop the War Coalition members need to stop promoting events like these – they have no place on a genuinely pro-peace group’s calendar. The Green Party, which is affiliated to StWC needs to take some responsibility here.
* The University of Westminster needs to recognise that if the evening proceeds as advertised, it will find itself hosting an antisemitic event. If in doubt about what to do next, the Equality and Diversity and Anti-Harassment policies will point the way, as well as the report and relevant case studies produced as part of the HEFCE-funded Religious Literacy Leadership in Higher Education project, at http://religiousliteracyhe.org/.
Sarah AB adds: Here’s a piece about Alan Hart (by Michael Ezra) from last year. And here’s a report of a protest against Gilad Atzmon at which John Rose spoke.
And a further update: Tony Greenstein offers more information about this on his blog.
However both John Rose and Ghada Karmi have made it very clear that they will not be speaking at the meeting. John Rose sent a message to people that:
I have not agreed to speak at this event & I have told the organisers to withdraw my name immediately. I did agree to speak at an event ABOUT Atzmon! A very different event and clearly not this one. Best John
In fact I’ve been asked recently to do much the same and whilst there can be no disagreement with challenging Atzmon’s views, including debating him if necessary (though most Atzmonites like Paul Eisen who I also challenged some years ago, run a mile), there is a world of difference with eruditely examining a subject as if Atzmon were some kind of expert.
Likewise Ghada Karmi wrote that:
‘Thanks,Tony. I have been trying to pull out and am urgently trying to find an email contact for them. I’m in Jordan currently, and not back till next week.’ Ghada’
A further update – apparently the event is now cancelled.
Hat Tip: Mira Vogel/Greens Engage
