Posted on 02.28.2006
From: kenncruz[at]pacbell.net
Subject: ACLU
Date: Mon, 27 Feb 2006 22:56:51 -0800
I received a phone call this evening from Mike Rotkin, board member of the American Civil Liberties Union, Santa Cruz Chapter.
The ACLU board decided to provide observers at the Veterans Hall the evening of the Finkelstein program. The ACLU is very concerned about preserving free speech, especially on controversial issues. They see Finkelstein being able to present his views as a matter of Free Speech and will send observers to the event to reinforce that point.
Scott Kennedy
Resource Center for Nonviolence
www.rcnv.org
Travel with scott kennedy to israel & palestine in November 2006. Read about the August 2005 delegation at forusa.org/programs/ipb/ipb_delegation_aug.05.html
Posted on 02.26.20006
From: Scott Kennedy kenncruz[at]pacbell.net
Subject: Demands to cancel Norman Finkelstein’s visit
Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2006 15:34:39 -0800
Dear Friends:
I have been hesitant to send this message out of concern for prematurely or unnecessarily inflaming an already difficult situation. But the situation has come to the point that I must provide you an update.
Spokespersons speaking on behalf of the Jewish Community of Santa Cruz, including several and perhaps all of the rabbis of local congregations, have demanded that the Middle East Program of the Resource Center for Nonviolence cancel the March 15th presentation by Norman Finkelstein. Those objecting to Finkelstein’s visit have referenced offensive quotes from Finkelstein’s web site and/or that they view his work as anti-Semitic.
I have been told directly that the Resource Center will face “grave repercussions” if we provide Finkelstein a local platform to present his views.
Offers for Representatives of the Resource Center to meet with those demanding cancellation of FInkelstein’s visit have gone without response.
Typically Resource Center staff is responsible for program decisions such as scheduling speakers. At this point, as coordinator of the RCNV Middle East program, I am proceeding with the program as planned.
I realize that you may be subject to some of the same pressures and demands so I want you to know what is happening.
One of my real concerns is the serious lack of reciprocity in discussion about who is invited to speak and who deserves to be heard on issues related to Israel and Palestine. The demands for “balance” and “fairness” seem to run in one direction. The same people and organizations threaten those inviting Finkelstein, wouldn’t support Rabbi Michael Lerner’s recent visit, but lend their name and support to Dennis Pragar’s talk at UCSC.
In his work, Finkelstein describes a broad consensus among historians and human rights organizations on the factual record and the international consensus in support of a Two State solution to settle the conflict. Why is it so difficult to bring those facts before the US public? Finkelstein points to a veil of “contrived controversy” that shrouds the Israel-Palestine conflict. This contrived controversy prevents rigorous debate in the United States about the nature and severity of Israel’s human rights abuses in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and prevents our country’s needed support for a sustainable political resolution to the conflict.
As for what Finkelstein has to say, I recommend that you listen to the “Democracy Now!” debate with Finkelstein and former Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami.” Audio and transcript can be found at normanfinkelstein.com/article.php?pg=11&ar=140 Finkelstein has written that this debate was “remarkably civil, free from rancor and vituperation, and provides, I think, grounds for hope that honest people respectful of facts can agree on many things despite political differences.”
Let’s continue to prepare for Norman Finkelstein’s visit to Santa Cruz keeping in mind that goal of honest people respectful of facts agreeing on many things despite political differences!
Should you decide to rescind your endorsement/sponsorship of the event, let me know and we will correct it on publicity, the RCNV web site, etc.
I also want to let you know that the Palestine-Israel Action Committee (PIAC) and others sponsoring Finkelstein’s 3/15 visit will be discussing plans at the PIAC meeting of on Tuesday February 28th at 7:00 p.m. at the Resource Center for Nonviolence. We hope that other cosponsors will come and support our efforts.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions, concerns or suggestions.
Scott Kennedy
Coordinator, Middle East Program
Resource Center for Nonviolence
515 Broadway
Santa Cruz, CA
95060-3412 USA
www.rcnv.org
Reader letters
Dear Mr Kennedy,
I have a copy, published on the Norman Finkelstein website, indicating the claims of a group opposed to the planned visit of Professor Finkelstein to the Resource Center for Nonviolence. Your description of the attempts to silence this distinguished man comes as no surprise to me. To my certain knowledge it is standard tactics on the part of the supporters of Israel to censor the professor. I write this email in support of all that really believe in free speech rather than the one-sided view of the powerful.
Here in UK I have had the honour and pleasure to have heard Dr Finkelstein give a total of three lectures on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The only problem that took place was that of the enormous numbers trying to get into the lecture halls, each time that he spoke. In the case of the Jewish Community of Santa Cruz it is simply that they are frightened ( with justification ) of the knowledge and scholarship of Dr Finkelstein. Indeed, he is bad news for Israel and his opponents well know it. Of course, any reference to anti-Semitism is code for an urgent need ( as they see it) to defend the acts of barbarity of the so-called Jewish state. I meet many Jews here in UK who make it clear to me that Israel is NOT their state.
I found it significant that you report that the Resource Center will face “grave repercussions if a platform is provided for Dr Finkelstein. How such an abomination gives the lie to those Israeli supporters claiming that Israel is the only democracy in the region. The suffering Palestinians know better. I truly look forward to be able to read/ view an account of the lecture.
Best wishes
Michael Shanahan
London, UK.
P S I fully understand that, here in UK, the supporters of Israel have rather less power than in your country.
From: Oishamiya[at]aol.com
Date: Mon, 27 Feb 2006 15:50:59 EST
Subject: Norman Finkelstein Santa Cruz Presentation
To: kenncruz[at]pacbell.net
CC: normangf[at]hotmail.com
Scott,
I just read your letter on the resistance from the local Santa Cruz Jewish community regarding Norman Finkelstein’s March 15th speaking engagement sponsored by your organization. I simply wanted to write to lend my support and applaud your decision not to waver in the face of such hostility and threats. Groups like these, who clearly have an agenda, fear people like Mr. Finkelstein because he speaks the truth. He basis all of his scholarship on clear, indisputable facts. These groups know that if such facts ever hit the mainstream US media, it will do more damage to their “cause” than any Israeli tank, bomb, or bulldozer can ever inflict on a helpless Palestinian population.
I, along with many others, will be there on March 15th to support Mr. Finkelstein’s right to free speech and his courageous efforts in unveiling the truth behind myths of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, because as George Orwell said, “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”
Omar
San Francisco, CA
