I've linked to the excellent work of German scholar Mattias Küntzel numerous times here. Harry's Place, the always interesting British blog with the rare sensible-left perspective, reports on the cancellation of a visit by Küntzel to the University of Leeds -- "security concerns," or so they say: Küntzel Cancelled:
...When I was an academic, there was generally speaking no need to carry out risk assessments, or to put stewarding arrangements in place, before a seminar could take place.
Things have evidently changed in British universities...
I am shocked that a historian of Kuntzel's eminence would be prevented from speaking at a British university.
He is after all discussing documented history, and unless we can study and understand history we can't possibly begin to unravel the problems in the modern Middle East. Much of the poison that has created conflict and rage between Arabs and Jews can be traced to the effects of European antisemitic screeds, including the Protocols of course, and Mein Kampf. Many may not be aware that Hitler was a huge hero in the Middle East and Mein Kampf remains a strong seller there. People really believe that the Protocols are historical fact and radio and television shows are broadcast to millions of people, reflecting the lies therein. Is it any wonder Jews are detested? People seriously believe we are evil!
But, if history professors are forbidden from speaking, how can people learn and start to combat the hatred and lies? There can be no peace until the problem of bigotry is solved.
It is ironic that Kuntzel is cancelled but a professor who speaks of the autoerotic qualities of suicide bombings is freely heard.
Astonishing - what has become of our values?
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I am shocked that a historian of Kuntzel's eminence would be prevented from speaking at a British university.
He is after all discussing documented history, and unless we can study and understand history we can't possibly begin to unravel the problems in the modern Middle East. Much of the poison that has created conflict and rage between Arabs and Jews can be traced to the effects of European antisemitic screeds, including the Protocols of course, and Mein Kampf. Many may not be aware that Hitler was a huge hero in the Middle East and Mein Kampf remains a strong seller there. People really believe that the Protocols are historical fact and radio and television shows are broadcast to millions of people, reflecting the lies therein. Is it any wonder Jews are detested? People seriously believe we are evil!
But, if history professors are forbidden from speaking, how can people learn and start to combat the hatred and lies? There can be no peace until the problem of bigotry is solved.
It is ironic that Kuntzel is cancelled but a professor who speaks of the autoerotic qualities of suicide bombings is freely heard.
Astonishing - what has become of our values?