Harvard Kennedy School condemned for denying fellowship to Israel critic

[cbabe]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/08/kennedy-school-human-rights-watch

Harvard Kennedy School condemned for denying fellowship to Israel critic

Chris McGreal in New York
Sun 8 Jan 2023 02.00 EST

Leading civil rights organisations have condemned Harvard Kennedy School’s denial of a position to the former head of Human Rights Watch over the organisation’s criticism of Israel.

The American Civil Liberties Union called the refusal of a fellowship to Kenneth Roth “profoundly troubling”. PEN America, which advocates for freedom of expression, said the move “raises serous questions” about one of the US’s leading schools of government. Roth also received backing from other human rights activists.

But the Kennedy School found support from organisations that have been highly critical of Roth and HRW, particularly over the group’s report two years ago that accused Israel of practising a form of race-based apartheid in the Palestinian occupied territories.

The Harvard Kennedy School’s Carr Center for Human Rights Policy offered Roth a position as a senior fellow shortly after he retired as director of HRW in April after 29 years. But the school’s dean, Douglas Elmendorf, allegedly vetoed the move.

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[Sneederbunk]

1. Criticism of Israel is off limits in American conversation.

And as Walter Cronkite would say: That's the way it is.

[cbabe]

2. Not off limit in Israel...

https://abcnews.go.com › International › wireStory › thousands-israelis-protest-new-governments-policies-96288775

Thousands of Israelis protest new government's policies

1 day ago January 7, 2023, 11:59 AM TEL AVIV, Israel --

Thousands of Israelis took to the streets Saturday evening to protest plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government that opponents say threaten democracy and freedoms.