Spring Break
Accord speaker his own platform
by Paraska Tolan
Op-Ed | 11/3/09
Posted online at 1:54 AM EST on 11/3/09
The Schusterman Center for Israel Studies and the International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life has invited Richard Goldstone, to discuss his report on the Gaza War on Nov. 5. Goldstone is a former South African Constitutional Court judge. He served as the chief prosecutor of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunals for the former nation of Yugoslavia and for Rwanda. In 2009, he led an independent fact-finding mission created by the United Nations Human Rights Council to investigate international human rights and humanitarian law violations related to the Gaza War. The mandate of this mission was to look at all parties involved in the 2009 war in Gaza: Israel, Hamas and other armed Palestinian parties. His report, although very controversial in certain factions of Israeli and American politics, is quite critical of all parties concerned.
Because of the contentious nature of this report, the Schusterman Center has also decided to invite Dore Gold, former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations. Gold served as an adviser to former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his first term in office.
Thus, by inviting Dore Gold to debate Goldstone, the center is framing the Nov. 5 discussion as a "balanced debate" between two visions of the Gaza War of January 2009. In no way is Richard Goldstone to be considered anti-Israel in his beliefs or his criticism of the manner in which the Gaza war was organized and executed. However, by inviting Dore Gold to speak after Goldstone, Brandeis is putting Gold in the uncomfortable position of having to defend his views as a Zionist. This is doing a clear injustice to both parties: to the Palestinian narrative by giving it no representation other than an international lawyer condoning certain acts committed by the Israel Defense Forces and to the Israeli narrative by reducing it to the voice of Dore Gold, who is far to the right of the Israeli political spectrum.
Because of the contentious nature of this report, the Schusterman Center has also decided to invite Dore Gold, former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations. Gold served as an adviser to former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his first term in office.
Thus, by inviting Dore Gold to debate Goldstone, the center is framing the Nov. 5 discussion as a "balanced debate" between two visions of the Gaza War of January 2009. In no way is Richard Goldstone to be considered anti-Israel in his beliefs or his criticism of the manner in which the Gaza war was organized and executed. However, by inviting Dore Gold to speak after Goldstone, Brandeis is putting Gold in the uncomfortable position of having to defend his views as a Zionist. This is doing a clear injustice to both parties: to the Palestinian narrative by giving it no representation other than an international lawyer condoning certain acts committed by the Israel Defense Forces and to the Israeli narrative by reducing it to the voice of Dore Gold, who is far to the right of the Israeli political spectrum.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Gideon Klionsky
Gideon Klionsky
posted 11/03/09 @ 5:57 AM EST
There are several inaccuracies in this opinion piece which seem to have slipped by the editors. Perhaps most importantly, the issue of the UN Mission's mandate. (Continued…)
Wajida
posted 11/04/09 @ 5:49 PM EST
Thank you, Paraska.
supportah
posted 11/05/09 @ 11:25 AM EST
Wow Young Klingonsky's post was longer than the editorial itself - and said much less!
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