Hi Kathy and LT, Jonathan has researched this speaker, and as many have written so eloquently, the poster for the event speaks volumes. It seems you may have unintentionally overlooked what Jonathan has previously written.
"Imagination isn't necessary to figure out what will happen at this talk. Qumsiyeh's stances are freely available on Google or YouTube. It is unlikely that this talk will vary from the message he has consistently broadcast. Qumsiyeh has written and spoken for decades about his hatred for and bigotry against Jews: He has a blog with over 300 posts. Here's an account of a talk he gave in Brookline in 2007 <https://5a55e4ca.streaklinks.com/CORf2HDWVskT7gF63gT2_hsa/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.camera.org%2Farticle%2Fexposing-mazin-qumsiyeh-s-falsehoods%2F> that sparked outrage there. He has published an "activist manual" detailing how to confront and harass Jews globally. To Lisa's point, if he had written a manual for how to harass other minority groups (e.g. POC, sexual minorities), would you still ask Lincoln to keep an open mind? This is actually a good litmus test: if one replaces the word "Jew" with "black", "Arab", "indigenous", "gay", etc., and the sentence suddenly reads badly, then it's likely antisemitic. It hurts to have the concerns of one's neighbors dismissed as closed-minded. We're telling you that we know who this man is. He is not a secret. Please listen to us." > On Dec 5, 2024, at 10:39 AM, Kathy Madison via Lincoln > <lincoln@lincolntalk.org> wrote: > > From what I understand about Mazin Qumsiyeh, he is focused on the peaceful > coexistence. > He talks about a brutal occupation of Palestine by Israel, and perhaps that > is why people find him to be a “terrorist.” > I personally am looking forward to hearing what he has to say. > This presentation is an opportunity to learn, to ask questions, and to > appreciate different points of view. > With respect, I would ask you Jonathan, what has formed your opinion about > him? > Have you read his books, listened to him speak, or encountered him on social > media? > > Sincerely, > Kathy Madison > > > >> On Dec 5, 2024, at 10:21 AM, Jonathan Sheffi <jshe...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> I believe that my specific criticism of Mazin Qumsiyeh is being confused >> with apathy towards Gazans. Nobody is asking anyone not to care about >> Gazans. I hope that both Gazans and Israelis will be released from the iron >> fist of Hamas soon, and that the safety and security of both Gazans and >> Israelis will be mutually assured. >> >> That's not what this speaker advocates for. He wants to abolish Israel as a >> Jewish state. He feels Jews have no connection to the land of Israel. He >> traffics in many anti-Jewish tropes. He's not shy about it. He has said it >> repeatedly all over the internet. >> >> Try this thought experiment: Someone invites a speaker who publicly supports >> the abolition of Native American reservations in America, claiming they have >> no ties to their land. Or a speaker who praises the death of George Floyd, >> and hopes for many more killings of unarmed black people by cops. Or a >> speaker who feels that black and brown people don't belong in America and >> should "go back where they came from." >> >> How would you feel? >> >> We'd agree that those speakers have the right to present their views, but I >> hope we would also agree that such speakers wouldn't advance the >> conversations on indigenous rights or race relations in productive ways. >> >> That's how many of us feel about this speaker. Inviting hatred and bigotry >> into our town doesn't make us better off as a town. >> ᐧ >> ᐧ >> >> On Thu, Dec 5, 2024 at 8:01 AM Kathy Madison via Lincoln >> <lincoln@lincolntalk.org <mailto:lincoln@lincolntalk.org>> wrote: >>> I very much appreciate your response, Erica — And I wholeheartedly agree >>> with your view expressed here. >>> >>> The presentation will be the opportunity to raise many of the >>> questions/issues expressed here. >>> >>> And the opportunity to have such a presentation at all is one of our >>> cherished American values — the right to free speech. >>> >>> Kathy Madison >>> >>> > On Dec 4, 2024, at 9:20 PM, Erica Bronstein <bronstei...@gmail.com >>> > <mailto:bronstei...@gmail.com>> wrote: >>> > >>> > I appreciate GRALTA's efforts to sponsor what sound like very >>> > knowledgeable speakers on these difficult and fraught issues. I >>> > understand the strong feelings raised by some of the language used in the >>> > flyer. However, to me the bigger moral issue is the disproportionate >>> > level of death and destruction that Israel, with US support, has >>> > inflicted on Gaza. It's hard not to feel that the situation is hopeless, >>> > and that the wounds inflicted on both sides will make peace unattainable >>> > for generations to come. As a Jew who is strongly opposed to Israel's >>> > actions, I am heartbroken by the situation. There are many Jews who share >>> > my point of view -- and others who do not. I think it is important to >>> > have these difficult conversations -- strong language and all-- and >>> > welcome the opportunity to hear a range of ideas about how we might move >>> > forward towards a peaceful solution that recognizes both Palestinian and >>> > Israeli rights. >>> > Erica Bronstein >>> > -- >>> > The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> > To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org >>> > <mailto:Lincoln@lincolntalk.org>. >>> > Browse the archives at >>> > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> > Change your subscription settings at >>> > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> > >>> >>> -- >>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org >>> <mailto:Lincoln@lincolntalk.org>. >>> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >
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