Student's question was misrepresented

Contrary to what was reported in Monday’s edition of The Chronicle, the question that I asked Professor Dershowitz was about a hypothetical divestment policy from all nations “that engage in WAR.” I did not say all “unethical nations” like what was reported. This is a major difference because it implies that Israel is unethical, which is simply not the case.

Anyone who disagrees should read Alan Dershowitz’s book The Case for Israel. They will find it intelligent, well-written and full of evidence. This is in stark contrast from most of the anti-Israel books out there which are full of hateful, blatant lies.

As President Richard Brodhead said last October, the best way to counter a stupid idea is not by censoring it, but by providing a better idea to replace it. The propaganda of the anti-Zionist movement is stupid, and the facts and evidence in Professor Dershowitz’s book (as well as a few dozen others I could name if you are curious) is the better idea. I challenge any self-proclaimed “expert” on the Israel-Palestine crisis, particularly those who attended the PSM conference, to read Professor Dershowitz’s books. And as an aside to The Chronicle—changing quotes to distort their original meaning and intent is as unethical as it comes.

David Shiffman

Trinity ’07