Professors for a Strong Israel

Statement to the Press - 8 May 2000

Re: Prizes without honor

As in every year, the Israel Prize will be presented on the evening of Independence Day. This year, two of the prizes will be given to people who are, to say the least, controversial: Professor Asa Casher and former Minister of Education Shulamit Aloni. Giving the Prize to these two effectively turns this non-partisan state institution into a political tool.

The current Minister of Education should have disqualified himself from approving the award to his predecessor in the Ministry and in the leadership of his political party. And when both the giver and the receiver of the Prize have made a career out of sowing divisiveness and hatred, the Prize loses its prestige as the highest award of the State and becomes a mere perk of membership in the correct political camp. Thus does the Israel Prize join the Nobel Peace Prize, which lost its luster on the day it was given to the head of a terrorist organization.

Dr. Ron Breiman, Spokesman
Tel: 050-518 940
Pager: 03-610 6666 / 28345