EclectEcon

It [the Oxford Union] has scheduled a debate on January 24 on whether Israel has the right to exist. Both speakers on the supposed pro-Israel side are virulent Israel-haters and strong supporters of Palestinian terrorism.

One is Norman Finkelstein, who is currently joining hands with the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah, whose goal is the military destruction of Israel. Finkelstein supports Hezbollah and says that this terrorist organization “represents the hope.” He has previously regretted not being more supportive of Hezbollah in its military attacks on Israel. And he was selected to be one of the two pro-Israel advocates. With friends like these…

The other invited speaker is just as bad. He is a philosophy professor named Ted Honderich, who believes that the Palestinian terrorists have “a moral right in their terrorism against Israelis.” He analogizes Israel to Apartheid South Africa, which he of course said did not have a right to exist. Yet he too has been selected to speak on behalf of Israel.

The Oxford Union had it within their power to select a genuine advocate of Israel’s right to exist, since even in England there are a few of those. I know, because I have been getting outraged letters from Oxford students, alumni and ordinary citizens about the forthcoming debate. For example, one of Great Britain’s most distinguished lawyers and writers is Anthony Julius. He could make an effective case for Israel’s right to exist, as could many other prominent individuals.

But at the Oxford Union, the only debate permitted is over the means used to end Israel’s existence; whether Israel should be destroyed by Palestinian suicide bombers, by Hezbollah rockets or by some other means. This is not a public debate. It is a public execution.