As I write this, I'm on a plane returning from Berkeley to Seattle, after attending an Islamophobia conference, "The Road Traveled," at which I delivered my first academic paper. There were presenters from Japan, Canada, Sweden the UK, France, and Austria. It was a bracing experience for many reasons. One of the most important was that I was the only Jewish … [Read more...]
Saudi Crown Prince Abuses the Holocaust in Goldberg Interview
Jeffrey Goldberg published another one of his blockbuster interviews (he's interviewed Obama once or twice and I believe Netanyahu as well). This time his "get" was Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed ibn Salman, who is in the midst of an international charm offensive, touring the world to introduce his new "brand" on the international stage. He's flashing a very … [Read more...]
Poland’s Holocaust Denial
In an irony of ironies, Poland's legislature has crafted a sort of Holocaust denial law which is, in itself, a form of Holocaust denial. The law would threaten three years in prison for anyone who accuses either the Polish state or Polish nation of being responsible for the Holocaust. It would outlaw, in particular, the phrase "Polish death camps." It is … [Read more...]
Israel: Price of Dissidence
When Israeli poet and lyricist, Yonatan Geffen wrote his poem comparing Ahed al Tamimi to Joan of Arc, Hannah Senesch and Anne Frank, I predicted what the impact would be: Really, it’s a fairly innocuous song. But it raises the hackles of Israeli patriot-enforcers, who attempt to extract their pound of flesh from the poor victim. You cannot stray from the … [Read more...]
