Comments on: Why does the Oxford Union think that freedom of speech only applies to fascists? http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/11/26/why-does-the-oxford-union-ban-zionists-while-defending-fascists/ “ferocity with a purpose” Sat, 03 Jul 2010 19:44:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: A. Latecomer http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/11/26/why-does-the-oxford-union-ban-zionists-while-defending-fascists/comment-page-1/#comment-208234 A. Latecomer Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:26:30 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/11/26/why-does-the-oxford-union-ban-zionists-while-defending-fascists/#comment-208234 I doubt anyone is still reading this, but I just happened upon it and would like to point out that Norman Finkelstein is not an anti-zionist by almost any definition. He has always stated that he is committed to a two-state solution. Given that one of these states would be a Jewish one, that would make him a Zionist by most understandings of the word. Criticising Israel's actions is not the same as anti-Zionism, which is the belief that Jewish people should have their own state. "Militantly anti-Zionist" is a poor description of Finkelstein's postion - he is neither. The initial post was fine. I doubt anyone is still reading this, but I just happened upon it and would like to point out that Norman Finkelstein is not an anti-zionist by almost any definition. He has always stated that he is committed to a two-state solution. Given that one of these states would be a Jewish one, that would make him a Zionist by most understandings of the word. Criticising Israel’s actions is not the same as anti-Zionism, which is the belief that Jewish people should have their own state. “Militantly anti-Zionist” is a poor description of Finkelstein’s postion – he is neither. The initial post was fine.

]]> By: John Allen http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/11/26/why-does-the-oxford-union-ban-zionists-while-defending-fascists/comment-page-1/#comment-122246 John Allen Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:45:38 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/11/26/why-does-the-oxford-union-ban-zionists-while-defending-fascists/#comment-122246 Actually you're still wrong. But then so was the Oxford Union character (probably that Tryl guy again) who had invited him to speak on the Israeli side in a debate until it was pointed out that er well he's anti zionist actually. You obviously don't have to be politically clued up to be a President of the Oxford Union just a self publicist. Actually you’re still wrong. But then so was the Oxford Union character (probably that Tryl guy again) who had invited him to speak on the Israeli side in a debate until it was pointed out that er well he’s anti zionist actually.
You obviously don’t have to be politically clued up to be a President of the Oxford Union just a self publicist.

]]> By: James Graham http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/11/26/why-does-the-oxford-union-ban-zionists-while-defending-fascists/comment-page-1/#comment-121856 James Graham Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:20:04 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/11/26/why-does-the-oxford-union-ban-zionists-while-defending-fascists/#comment-121856 Eek! Thanks Barry - now amended. Eek! Thanks Barry – now amended.

]]> By: Barry Stocker http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/11/26/why-does-the-oxford-union-ban-zionists-while-defending-fascists/comment-page-1/#comment-121834 Barry Stocker Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:49:49 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/11/26/why-does-the-oxford-union-ban-zionists-while-defending-fascists/#comment-121834 Dear James. You have got this completely wrong. Finkelstein is a militantly anti-Zionist Jew who has published many texts strongly condemning Israel and pro-Israeli groups. Quite famously he was recently denied tenure at De Paul university in Chicago, under fierce pressure from the Anti Defamation League (very Israeli orientated group) and Alan Dershowitz, a pro-Israeli law professor at Harvard and well known polemicist/media intellectual. This case raised very serious free speech issues about the right of academics to criticise Israel. You really should consider modifying/deleting this post. best wishes Barry Dear James. You have got this completely wrong. Finkelstein is a militantly anti-Zionist Jew who has published many texts strongly condemning Israel and pro-Israeli groups. Quite famously he was recently denied tenure at De Paul university in Chicago, under fierce pressure from the Anti Defamation League (very Israeli orientated group) and Alan Dershowitz, a pro-Israeli law professor at Harvard and well known polemicist/media intellectual. This case raised very serious free speech issues about the right of academics to criticise Israel. You really should consider modifying/deleting this post.

best wishes

Barry

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