The Pitt News 9 February 2005
This letter was published in The Pitt News on 9 February 2005.
Editor’s Note: Mr. Abunimah’s letter is in regard to statements made about him in an article titled “Electronic Intifada founder speaks at CMU, Pitt,” which briefly appeared in The Pitt News’ online edition.
To The Pitt News:
Mr. Aaron Weil, executive director of the Edward and Rose Berman Jewish University Center, was quoted by The Pitt News calling me a person “who advocates the use of terrorism.”
This claim is false and, I believe, defamatory. I am on record on dozens of occasions opposing the use of violence and advocating for peace, reconciliation and full equality between Israelis and Palestinians, precisely as several hundred members of the CMU community witnessed me do at my Feb. 3 lecture.
I am happy to repeat here, as I have many times both in print, on our Web site and in speeches, that I am unequivocally opposed to all violence targeting civilians, regardless of the motive or the identity of the perpetrator or victim. This means, specifically, that I condemn and oppose attacks by Palestinians on Israeli civilians, and equally I oppose Israeli attacks and violence against Palestinian civilians that human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have often characterized as “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity.”
I would hope that Mr. Weil would issue an equally unequivocal call on Israel to immediately end documented violations against Palestinians. I hope that all those concerned with the Palestine-Israel issue refrain from ad hominem attacks and respect the freedom of speech of those who disagree with them.
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