Press Action ::: Beyond Chutzpah: Dershowitz, Finkelstein and a University Press

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Beyond Chutzpah: Dershowitz, Finkelstein and a University Press

Public Relations
University of California Press

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am pleased to learn that the University of California Press regards “Professor Finkelstein’s work to be of critical importance and deserving of the broadest possible audience.” Professor Finkelstein’s “Beyond Chutzpah” is a serious work exposing the shoddy scholarship of Alan Dershowitz and company. It is important that the University of California Press publishes Finkelstein’s book.

The University of California Press should not give into Mr. Dershowitz’s calls for banning or censoring the book through various tactics. He has been lobbying for sometime to block the book under a variety of pretexts. Mr. Dershowitz is nothing but a mean-minded and disgraceful apologist for the Israeli occupation of Palestine. He is a supporter of torture even though he denies it. He has no understanding of human rights and international law despite teaching in a law school. Mr. Dershowitz has resorted to mimicking Joan Peters’s lies in a massive reproduction of quotations without providing adequate citations as is the standard practice in scholarship. The University of California Press must stand for free speech and academic freedom and critical scholarship. Finkelstein’s work is a prime example of scholarship that exposes lies and academic frauds.

Professor Finkelstein’s scholarship is that of the highest order. I have reviewed his book “The Holocaust Industry” for Z Magazine. I am familiar with his other articles and most of his books. I have published numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals, including Applied Economics, Journal of Emerging Markets, Savings and Development, and Third World Quarterly, all published by reputable presses. I am a referee for various academic journals. Therefore I can judge high quality work. Based on the highest standards, Professor Finkelstein’s works clearly set good examples for social science scholarship.

I have pre-ordered “Beyond Chutzpah” from Amazon.com. I hope that the University of California Press will ensure that the much anticipated book is soon in the hands of readers and peace activists.

Sincerely,

Tanweer Akram

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