QuantumFog

November 3, 2006

The problem is taking care of itself

Tony Judt has a passion for European history. His book about post-war Europe was a runner-up for the Pulitzer prize for non-fiction in 2006. Part of the fascination comes from losing family to German prison camps during WW2.

Born in the UK, Tony got his PhD at the University of Cambridge. Today, he's the director of New York University's Remarque Institute.

People this studious and respected deserve a listen, at least until you disagree. Regardless of this academic achievement or first amendment rights, there's a couple of organizations in the US who think Tony shouldn't be given the podium for any reason. They've called venues in advance of his speaking engagements, causing several to be cancelled.

Those two would be the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee. They don't like the idea of Tony speaking critically of Israel, even if he is a Jew.

They probably don't care much for a 4.5 minute video of this Rabbi either, who says Israel should not exist.

By some estimates, Jews will be a minority in Israel by 2010. The Jewish population has been declining anywhere from 2,000 to 34,000 per year for the past decade, causing a bit of quiet panic in the Israeli government.

Home