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Radical Anti-Israel Author Distributed By University
of Michigan Press
Anti-Israel author Joel Kovel's 2007 publication "Overcoming
Zionism" is distributed in the United States exclusively
by University of Michigan Press. The book is a polemic
against Israel, condemning Jewish support for the state
and blaming Israel for nearly every wrong, real or
perceived, in the entire Middle East. Kovel's Israel
is the very definition of imperialistic and malicious
in its systematic oppression of a morally neutral "Palestine." The
book itself is dedicated to Rachel Corrie, "may she
live in glory."
Kovel makes no apologies for his blanket condemnation
of Israel and the "unholy complicity" of the United States
and the American Jewish community that grants Israel "impunity." He
is more apologetic to his readers for his own Jewishness.
"The Jewish community is no abstraction to me. It
is the community from which I sprang, ...and no degree
of estrangement suffices to nullify the deep web of memory
and conflict than links me to Jewry and shapes, however
negatively, the foundations of who I am."
The
book is collection of anti-Israel propaganda, misquotes,
and discredited news stories, and is carried forward
throughout by declared contempt for Judaism and its
adherents. The war initiated by Hezbollah in the summer
of 2006 is discussed as an aggressive imperialist invasion
of conquest by Israel. The cross-border killing and
capture of IDF soldiers is virtually ignored. Far from
making the desert bloom, it is Kovel's disjointed thesis
that Israel has actually hurt the ecology of the region.
Anti-Israel polemicists such as Edward Said, Norman
Finkelstein, Israel Shahak and Ilan Pappe are lauded,
while even liberal pro-Israel scholars such as Alan
Dershowitz are disparaged. The activist Rachel Corrie
has an entire chapter dedicated to her "murder" by
a sinister and unfeeling IDF.
Eight
Minute Joel Kovel Clip Here
View
Full (1-hour) Interview Here
Overcoming Zionism is a wholly unscholarly propaganda
text, a rambling negation of every aspect of Israeli
society, and a near complete restatement of Israel's
history. It is published by the radical left Pluto Press
of London, England (see story below) and distributed
in the United States exclusively by the University of
Michigan Press (UMP).
StandWithUs-Michigan contacted the office of UMP director
Phil Pochoda last week, making repeated requests for
a statement regarding the book and the reason for its
distribution by UMP. To date no statement or response
has been provided by the director.
StandWithUs-Michigan encourages its members and supporters
to call the UMP offices at 734-764-4388, or email UMP
director Phil Pochoda at
pochoda@umich.edu
Hundreds of anti-West, anti-American and anti-Israel
Propaganda Texts Reach US Exclusively Via University
of Michigan Press
   
Kovel's anti-Israel propaganda is not the only such
text distributed in the US by the University of Michigan
Press. UMP serves as the exclusive American distributor
of Pluto Press, a radical left publisher in the United
Kingdom. Literally hundreds of far left, anti-American
and anti-Israel texts reach the US exclusively though
the University of Michigan.
Pluto Press is the only independent publisher distributed
by UMP in the US. Every title is available for purchase
on the UMP website, under the aegis of the University
of Michigan.
While Pluto's offerings include various esoteric cultural
studies, and the standard leftist fare of Derrida, Foucault
and Chomsky, the UK press primarily promotes the newest
in anti-American and anti-Israel propaganda texts and
authors.
Titles range from the anti-West revisionists, Empire
and the Bomb: How the U.S. Uses Nuclear Weapons to Dominate
the World or Conjuring
Hitler: How the Western Elite Incubated Nazism to
the anti-West delusional, The
Pre-Emptive Empire: A Guide to Bush's Kingdom, or Economics
Transformed: Discovering the Brilliance of Marx.
Among more than four hundred Pluto publications, no
single pro-Israel text appears. Instead, the University
of Michigan Press provides American readers with Sara
Roy's 2006 Failing
Peace: Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict,
dedicated to Edward Said, a work blaming every single
Olso failure on Israel. Or, For
Zion's Sake: The Judeo-Christian Tradition in American
Culture, an attack on Christian Zionism and "the
steadfast US commitment to the establishment of the state
of Israel and to its aggressive expansion..." Or, Hamas,
A Beginner's Guide, a propagandist apology so favorable
it approaches a recruitment manual.
All totaled, more than thirty openly anti-Israel works,
and more than fifty specifically anti-American texts
by Pluto Press are distributed by the University of Michigan
Press.
The University of Michigan Press was founded in 1930
as a publisher of books dedicated to "imparting important
scholarly research." As the website explains, "We now
publish top-notch books of wide- ranging interest, including
political science, gender studies, fiction, theater,
classics and archaeology, law, economics, and American
history, ...In short, we publish books that contribute
to public understanding and dialogue about contemporary
political, social, and cultural issues."
It is difficult to determine from such a description
why UMP would want to distribute radical left publications
in the US or, more pointedly, why it would choose only
one publisher to distribute only radical anti-Israel
and anti-American works in the US.
For it's part Pluto Press, founded in 1970, claims up
front that it is a "progressive"
publisher, "committed to publishing the best in critical
writing across the social sciences and humanities."
Yet, despite over four hundred available publications,
no open critique of the Palestinians appears, no critique
of terrorism, no treatise on women under Islam, or human
rights under Islam, or any critique of Islamism itself
is offered.
"Pluto Press is clearly a publisher comfortable with
its radical left label and agenda," said Jonathan Harris,
director of StandWithUs-Michigan. "That is their perogative.
The shocking thing is that a university press has chosen
this one publisher to disseminate to its American readers.
This one publisher, with numerous titles of pure bias
and propaganda, rates that sort of endorsement from the
University of Michigan? Is this the "important scholarly
research" that now rates mass distribution by the University
of Michigan? It is quite shocking."
StandWithUs-Michigan will continue to press both UMP
and the university administraiton for an explanation
of the arrangement with Pluto Press.
StandWithUs-Michigan supporters are encouraged to voice
your concerns as well by contacting UMP Director Phil
Pochoda (see above) or the Office of University President
Mary Sue Coleman.
University of Michigan
Office of the President
503 Thompson Street
2074 Fleming Administration Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1340
Phone: (734) 764-6270
Fax: (734) 936-3529
Email: presoff @umich.edu
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Newsletter Schedule for 2007
Newsletters are sent at noon, two Mondays each month.
Please have anything you would like to have in the newsletter
sent to jonathan@standwithus.com by
evening of the precedeing Friday.
August 27th
September 10th and 24th
October 15th and 29th
November 12th and 26th
December 10th and 31th
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Have you heard?
StandWithUs is now a Taglit-birthright israel vendor!
Tell your friends, and tell your friends kids, and tell
your kids friends--to come to Israel with Taglit-birthright
israel:StandWithUs this winter of 2007!!!
This trip is a gift from Taglit-birthright israel
Click on the postcard below for more information.
StandWithUs Emerson Fellowship Announced
StandWithUs is pleased to announce that we will be starting
the new
EMERSON FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
in the Fall. This program will give an opportunity to 35
students across North America to become leaders on their
respective campuses for the 2007-8 academic school year.
Only serious advocates will be considered.
Emerson Fellows will be charismatic and dynamic student
leaders, knowledgeable in Israel's history, geography and
society, motivated to educate their peers, and passionate
about helping to tell Israel's story on campus.
Fellow responsibilities will include:
Representing StandWithUs on campus.
Organizing speaker programs and campaigns.
Working closely with StandWithUs staff to create
and implement exciting programs on your campus.
Fellows will receive a stipend, and attend the annual international
student conference November of 2007 in Southern California.
This year's "Israel In Focus" Conference is going to be
Nov 9-11, 2007 in Santa Monica, California. Fellows will
be coming in one day early for a special pre-conference
seminar on November 8.
To apply for the Emerson Fellowship, go to the Emerson
Fellowship Application. The application deadline is
September 10, 2007. Applicants also will be asked to complete
one or more phone interviews with StandWithUs Campus Staff
upon completing the online form.
Dani Klein
Campus Director, North America
StandWithUs
phone: (212) 398-2524
fax: (212) 842-0161
www.standwithuscampus.com
www.standwithus.com
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Jonathan Calt Harris
Director of StandWithUs - Michigan
"Sojurn Jerusalem: A Christian Discovery, and Defense,
of Zionism"
Congregation Beth Ahm, West Bloomfield
6:00pm - Family Kabbalat Shabbat Service followed by dinner
6:15pm - "Tot Shabbat" Service for ages 2-7 and dinner
in Goodman Hall (Chicken Tenders & French Fries) Childcare
provided
Call 248-851-6880 to RSVP
NO LATER THAN AUGUST 15TH, 2007
------------------------------------
Congregation Beth Ahm,
5075 West Maple Road,
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
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Iran
Divestment Moves to Michigan Senate
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Iran
divestment legislation, HB
4903, has passed the House and moved to the State
Senate where it will go before the Senate Appropriations
Committee chaired by State Senator Ron Jelinek of Three
Oaks.
Iran is still working hard for a bomb. Iran is still
sponsoring terrorism. Iran is still controlled by a religious
theocracy.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop of Rochester also
needs to hear from you, to know that you want HB 4903
to more forward.
Senator Ron Jelinek
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Phone: (517) 373-6960
Toll Free: 1-866-305-2121
Fax: (517) 373-0897
Email: senrjelinek@senate.michigan.gov
Senator Mike Bishop
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Phone: (517) 373-2417
Fax: (517) 373-2694
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Noteworthy
Articles
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The Dangers of 'Peace' Making
America's latest efforts merely entrenched al Qaeda
in the Gaza Strip.
By Dore Gold
"In short, the U.S. and its Western allies thought that
Israel's Gaza pullout would establish the foundations
of a Palestinian state and thus reduce the flames of
radical Islamic rage. Instead they got an al-Qaeda sanctuary
on the shores of the Mediterranean.
The source of their error was a popular misconception
in policy-making circles of what causes radical Islam
to thrive. The gasoline fueling al Qaeda has been its
sense of victory, not political grievances."
Full
Article
Bankrolling Iran
The World Bank's Largess Is Undermining the U.N.
and the West
By Mark Kirk
"Both the U.N. Security Council and the International
Atomic Energy Agency have found Iran in breach of its
obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The IAEA reports that Iran ignored the Security Council's
February deadline to stop enriching uranium and has even
expanded its nuclear program.
As Iran's Atomic Energy Organization moves toward its
announced goal of operating 50,000 uranium enrichment
centrifuges in Natanz, the World Bank is funding nine
government projects in Iran totaling $1.35 billion --
one of which operates in Isfahan, where Iran's nuclear
program is headquartered."
Full
Article
Domestic Terror in Iran
Iran has just carried out the largest wave of executions
since 1984.
By Amir Taheri
"The Mashad hangings, broadcast live on local television,
are among a series of public executions ordered by President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last month as part of a campaign
to terrorize an increasingly restive population. Over
the past six weeks, at least 118 people have been executed,
including four who were stoned to death. According to
Saeed Mortazavi, the chief Islamic prosecutor, at least
150 more people, including five women, are scheduled
to be hanged or stoned to death in the coming weeks.
The latest wave of executions is the biggest Iran has
suffered in the same time span since 1984, when thousands
of opposition prisoners were shot on orders from Ayatollah
Khomeini."
Full
Article
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Israel
Well Suited For Partnerships With Michigan
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Michigan
Governor Jennifer Granholm has made much in
recent weeks about her willingness to seek out overseas
partnerships that could benefit the state economy.
Additionally, she has stressed the importance of high-tech
industry and innovative approaches being the key to
Michigan's future.
We at StandWithUs-Michigan agree that high tech industry
and investment is essential for Michigan. While Michigan
legislators work to divest from companies in Iran due
to the Iranian regime's support of terrorism, Michigan
can support and invest in opportunities that create attractive
opportunities for new investments and jobs for Michigan.
One of the most prolific high-tech start-up capitals
of the world is Israel.
Compiled by ISRAEL21c,
an organization based in Los Angeles that works with
existing institutions and the media to inform Americans
about 21st century Israel, its people, its institutions
and its contributions to global society, the following
is just a sampling of what Israel is doing in the world
today:
Environmental Systems and Treatments (EST) has developed
a device to address problems in toxic waste disposal,
converting the toxic waste into water and carbon dioxide
(which can be released into the atmosphere through a
vent or put into recycled materials). EST's method is
in the same price range as less environmentally friendly
toxic waste disposal methods. The company is currently
looking for investors.
Read
More
Ormat, an Israeli alternative energy company, is ready
to speed up the biodiesel market and make the use of
biodiesel accessible to all. Biodiesel is usually made
from soy or canola oil, but can be plan or animal- based.
It is a renewable energy source, which means it burns
cleaner that regular diesel. The use of biodiesel will
lessen the USA's dependence on foreign oil and cut down
on greenhouse gases.
Read
More
Solel, a Beit Shemesh based company, signed a contract
with Pacific Gas and Electric Company to build the world's
largest solar plant in California's Mojave Desert. This
plant will help the USA develop environmentally friendly
energy, reducing its dependence on foreign oil. Solel
previously constructed the world's largest power station
in California and developed plans to build what would
have been the world's largest solar station in Israel's
Negev region. The new solar power plant in California
will exceed both.
Read
More
Professor Eshel Ben-Jacob and graduate student Itay Barchi
of Tel Aviv University's Department of Exact Sciences
are using nano biotechnology to find treatments for neurological
disorders, like epilepsy, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's
diseases. Using chemical stimulation, they discovered
that they could trigger a man made network of neurons
to imprint patterns - the same process by which the brain
creates memories. This discovery marks an early, yet
crucial, step towards the invention of a computer chip
with the capability to create and store information the
same way our own brains do.
Read
More
Florida Governor Charlie Crist, one of the first state
governors to sign Iran Divestment legislation, has also recently
visited Israel to seek out partnerships with the
state of Israel.
Michigan continues to lose its high tech graduates to
other states. An economic development trip to Israel
and possible state investment in companies that will
bring new technology to Michigan can encourage future
businesses to grow in Michigan, and also help protect
new tech successes such as Google's recent expansion.
Israel's strength in Green energy, software development,
and medical research lines up with many areas that Michigan
needs to grow its economy and prepare for the future.
StandWithUs-Michigan has written to Governor Granholm's
office, suggesting Israel as a primary choice for future
economic development trips overseas. We will be following
up this week with Tim Flanagan, the Governor's issue
specialist on economic development. We encourage our
supporters to contact the Governor's office to echo this
theme.
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
PHONE: (517) 373-3400
PHONE: (517) 335-7858 - Constituent Services
FAX:(517) 335-6863
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StandWithUs-Michigan
Invites Daniel Pipes to Area Campuses
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Middle East historian and counter-terrorism analyst Daniel
Pipes has been invited by StandWithUs-Michigan
in partnership with Students For Israel and Israel
Idea, to speak at both Wayne State University and the
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor on Monday, October
8, 2007.
Times and locations will be announced.
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StandWithUs
Signs for Upcoming Rallies
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Need
Jumbo Signs for your upcoming rallies/counter-rallies?
Our signs print out two feet by three feet.
Take our link to your local printer. For a
few extra dollars, they can do a thin lamination
so that your signs will be reusable.
Go to StandWithUs.com and click on "SIGNS".
Have you created some great signs or new flyers?
SHOW THEM TO US!! Perhaps we will include them
on our site! AND If you like our materials but
need some modifications, please don't hesitate
to ask us. We will always support your efforts
to advocate for Israel.
See
StandWithUs Signs |
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Visit
Our Bookstore for Recommended Reading
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Make yourself a more effective activist with
this GREAT booklist. Order the books right from
our site. Have you read The Case For Democracy by
Natan Sharansky? The Israelis by Donna
Rosenthal(now in paperback!)? Ivory Towers
on Sand by Martin Kramer? The Middle East by
Bernard Lewis?
Learn
More |
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Need
Help Telling Israel's Story?
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NEW!! See our flyers, divided by
theme. Available in multiple languages. These
important tools can be used to educate, and they
are FREE and downloadable.
Learn
More |
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Support
Our Efforts and Keep Us Strong.
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Support Our Efforts And Keep Us Strong. What
does the term NEVER AGAIN mean to you? Let us
tell you what it means to StandWithUs:
NEVER AGAIN... must mean that we will never again
stand by and watch people tell baseless, dangerous
lies about Jews and the state of Israel in order
to incite hatred. Never again... shall we NOT
promote an intelligent, powerful, effective response
to such lies. Support the efforts of StandWithUs....
and stand with truth, and the defense of truth...
NOW MORE THAN EVER ... StandWithUs is dedicated
to bringing truth to the Arab- Israeli conflict
through proactive as well as responsive efforts.
We regularly produce and ship educational materials
(now available in SPANISH, French, Hebrew and
Arabic). We have a research team that constantly
responds to anti-Israel speakers and organizations
by creating intelligent response materials. We
have a speakers bureau, host conferences and
trips to Israel, etc. We are an important hotline
for student emergencies on campuses all over
the world. Please help us continue our vital
work on your behalf. With your support and our
determined efforts ... WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
And visit our variety of websites (addresses
above) including our newest addition for librarians
and teachers: www.learnisrael.com.
Thank you in advance for helping us educate others.
Send your tax deductible donation to: StandWithUs/Michigan
PO Box 251153
West Bloomfield, MI 48325
If you wish to donate directly to the Michigan
Chapter, please send a check with "Michigan" noted
in the memo line.
Click
here to donate online to StandWithUs.
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