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Dan Illouz

Dan Illouz: McCarthyism and post-Zionism

Academic freedom is an essential component of the mission of the academy. Scholars should be able to hold political positions without fearing repression. This is precisely the principle that guided Im Tirtzu’s recent efforts to fight the silencing of Zionist opinions in Israeli academia. Unfortunately, these efforts were met with misinformation, McCarthyism and outright lies. As is often the case when Zionism is attacked, the victims have been portrayed as aggressors while the aggressors were portrayed as victims. Several months ago, at the request of the Knesset Education Committee, Im Tirtzu published a report revealing frightening information about academia. The report recorded testimonies from students who complained about a strong anti-Zionist bias in universities. Those students also testified about instances in which professors used intimidation and threats to [mehr]

True Academic Freedom

Im Tirtzu recently published a detailed report revealing the troubling academic reality in Israel today. According to the report, students in all of the major universities in Israel have complained of a heavily political academia where opinions which do not follow the post-Zionist or anti-Zionist narrative are often rejected and sometimes even penalized. After the publication of the report, published at the request of the Knesset’s Education Committee, those academic bodies who were investigated responded with ad hominem attacks and claims which fly in face of the reality on university campuses in Israel. Haifa University said that “Im Tirtzu is an organization which uses McCarthyism to threaten freedom of speech.” The spokesperson of Hebrew University told reporters that: “Hebrew University maintains full freedom of expression.” These [mehr]

Is the fight over?

A short roundup of the past week for me (I am still very busy with the flotilla story and I take too much time blogging): On Monday March 31st, the day of the flotilla incident, I woke up and heard the news. Knowing people serving in accessory roles in the navy, I called them to get our side of the story: the government had not said anything yet. I was told, as I expected, that the news are coming to quick conclusions based on superficial looks but that Israel’s name will be cleared. I start a facebook page for a nonprofit that would now be dedicated to disseminating the truth about this incident. http://www.facebook.com/israelflotilla A week later, and with so much more clarity as to the violent nature of those “peace activists” and the great restraint with which the Israeli commando defended its life, the page has 70 000 [mehr]

How Israeli Critics are Hurting International Law

Yesterday’s events (Gaza Flotilla) reminded me of the many courses I took in International Law and Human Rights Law while I was in law school. The question in those courses is always the same: We all want peace. We all want Human Rights. We all yearn for a situation where no war or killing would ever be needed. However, since this situation is not yet present, we cannot ask of law abiding countries not to defend its citizens. Therefore, any defensive action (including preventive actions in the case of clear and present danger) will be allowed. Israel is in a very delicate security situation. Surrounded by enemies, and with enemies within its own borders, Israel often needs to make unpopular decisions in order to protect its citizens. Israel should NEVER apologize for these actions. Self defence is the most moral of all actions. If people who do not understand [mehr]

Netanyahu vs. Obama – I choose Bibi!

Imagine an international election for the leader of the free world. Now, imagine that the two final candidates left would be Barak Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu. Who would you vote for and, more importantly, why? With all the latest tensions between Obama and Netanyahu, I often ask myself: who would I rather have as my leader? These two people come from such a different background. They have such different philosophies. Obama is very close to socialism, Netanyahu believes strongly in the strength of a free-market. Obama puts an emphasis on possible diplomatic concessions, Netanyahu puts emphasis on deterrence. Yet, it is not only my philosophical agreement with Binyamin Netanyahu which makes would make me vote for him, but also his history and his proven record of self-sacrifice. In order to illustrate what I mean, let us compare Obama’s achievements with [mehr]

The Symbolic Importance of Jerusalem to Zionism

A lot has been written about the military strategic importance of Jerusalem. Everyone also knows about the religious significance of Jerusalem which is mentioned 823 times in the Jewish Bible. However, most are keeping quiet on the subject of the incredible symbolic importance which Jerusalem holds to the very core definition of Zionism. In honor of Jerusalem Day which is taking place this week, I want to explain why Im Tirtzu, a non affiliated organization dedicated to the strengthening of Zionsit identity in Israel, chose to include the safeguarding of a united Jewish Jerusalem as part of its core platform. The most dangerous ideological attack on Zionism today does not come from anti-Zionists, who opposed Zionism from the get go, but from people who call themselves “post-Zionists”. These people claim that, since the State of Israel has been created, the job of [mehr]

Show your support for Jerusalem

This year, as Jerusalem is constantly under attack for its status as Israel’s Eternal Capital, it is critical for us to all come together and show our support and love for Jerusalem. Yom Yerushalaim (Jerusalem Day) is a holiday commemorating the liberation and reunification of Jerusalem after 2000 years of Jewish yearning for Jerusalem! Therefore, on Yom Yerushalaim, we will organize around a cause that will only require 4 very small and easy actions from you: 1. Press attending on this event and invite all your friends! You can use this to make it easier: ‎http://onemansblog.com/2009/08/30/how-to-invite-all-facebook-friends-to-a-group-event-or-page/comment-page-3/‎ 2. Join our year-long Jerusalem [mehr]

We Must Keep Building in Jerusalem!

Some scary news has recently come to the surface. Reports are coming in claiming that while Netanyahu refuses to announce an official freeze on Jerusalem, he is afraid to build anything that would make Obama angry. I was first made aware of this by our commenter Garnel Ironheart who showed me this article which claims that “Despite lofty rhetoric, PM Netanyahu scared to build anything in capital”. The article makes the unfortunate conclusion that: The prime minister did not even arrive for the inauguration of a synagogue in the Old City with a construction permit from the Ottoman period. His patriotic rhetoric on Jerusalem is not being translated to cement. Behind the scenes, he capitulates to America’s caprices on this holy front as well. Officially, Israel strongly objects to a construction freeze in the capital, yet in practice only the Arabs are [mehr]

Three Reasons Why I Became a Member of the Likud

During the campaign season of Israeli elections, there is always a lot of talk within the nationalist camp as to the best strategy to gain significant influence within the country and ensure our interests are protected. I have always been convinced that election season is the worse time to make decisions as to ones political inclination. Three Reasons Why I Became a Member of the LikudFirst of all, politicians are all trying to impress you and, therefore, you get a distorted view of reality. Also, election season carries an emotional wave which can make you distort reality all by yourself. Now that elections are well behind us, and the Netanyahu’s government seems to be stable enough, I want to share with all of you three central reasons which have pushed me to recently become a member of the Likud party. Reason #1: I will take Netanyahu Over Livni Any Day of [mehr]