Professors for a Strong Israel

Statement to the Press - 8 August 1999


Re: Peace Now or Hatred Now?

A number of writers are boycotting the "Golden Book" Award ceremony being held for Eyal Meged because the former Prime Minister, Mr. Binyamin Netanyahu, will attend the event. It is evident that for these writers, their hatred is their art.

One might expect that artists and writers, of all people, would work to bridge the rifts in Israeli society rather than to enlarge them. What is the point in boycotting a Prime Minister who was democratically elected, and democratically replaced? When these writers talk of enlightenment and tolerance, what, exactly, are they talking about?

Mr. Netanyahu was elected in 1996 in spite of the Rabin assassination and not because of it. The continuing attacks on his name from those who never accepted the outcome of those elections demonstrate the danger to Israeli democracy posed by those who pretend to defend it.

Dr. Ron Breiman, Spokesman
Tel: 050-518940
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