ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA NEWS RELEASE   August 9, 2023 VIA EMAIL Satyel Larson, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Near Eastern Studies Princeton University 108 Jones Hall Princeton, NJ 08544 Dear Professor Larson: -------We write on behalf of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), the oldest pro-Israel organization in the U.S., dedicated to fighting antisemitism in all its forms, including when anti-Jewish bigotry is masked as criticism of Israel. Our letter is prompted by reports that you are making Jasbir Puar’s book, “The Right to Maim,” required reading in a course you will be teaching at Princeton University this fall. Puar’s book is filled with anti-Israel falsehoods. Mandating your students to read this antisemitic book will likely lead them to unwarranted animosity toward Israel and Jews. It may also create a hostile learning environment for Jewish and Israeli students in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. We strongly urge you to replace Puar’s book with a book that is based on the facts. -------Puar lies in her book by outrageously accusing Israel of deliberately maiming and “debilitating” the Palestinian Arab population, rather than killing them, “in order to control them.” She also falsely and absurdly claims that children are a “prime target” of Israel. These contentions are complete and dangerous nonsense, a reflection of Puar’s documented hostility toward Israel and Jews. -------For example, she has promoted the twisted notion of “pinkwashing”: that Israel is an exemplary protector of LGBTQ rights – unlike all other nations in the Middle East where LGBTQ people are treated as criminals, subjected to persecution and violence, and even killed – purportedly to distract from its alleged oppression of the Palestinian Arab people. Puar also supports the antisemitic boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, which singles out the one and only Jewish state in the entire world for condemnation and punishment. As the leaders of this movement make clear, the real motive of BDS is not peace or improving Palestinian Arabs’ lives; it is Israel’s destruction. Furthermore, Puar supports violence and terrorism against Jews. At a 2016 lecture, she reportedly stated that “ . . . we need BDS as part of organized resistance and armed resistance in Palestine as well. There is no other way the situation is going to change” [emphasis added]. -------For those who might try to argue that Puar’s animosity is limited to the Jewish State of Israel, she herself has shown that her animosity is directed toward Jews, too. Puar has referred to Jews as “the Zios.” This is the same antisemitic slur that David Duke, the former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan and a rabid antisemite, frequently uses when he refers to Jews.  -------Puar’s contention that Israel’s goal is to “debilitate” Palestinian Arabs “in order to control them” is a lie. In fact, Israel has demonstrated that its goal is not to control them, having made three generous offers, over 20 years, of an independent Palestinian Arab state in exchange for peace. Puar’s contention is her own invention, calculated to demonize Israel and indoctrinate her readers to wrongly believe that Israel is a brutal and evil oppressor. In fact, military leaders have described the Israel Defense Forces as “the most moral army” in the world, going to extraordinary lengths to protect human lives and prevent civilian casualties.   READ MORE   Share This Email Share This Email VISIT OUR WEBSITE   Founded in 1897, ZOA played a key role in the Jewish State's re-establishment. Today, ZOA is the leading major American Jewish organization courageously defending Israel and the Jewish people; fighting against all forms of antisemitism, including anti-Jewish boycotts; and promoting the Jewish people's lawful right to live in and settle historic Jewish lands. ZOA exposes that a Palestinian state would endanger Israel's existence; presents the facts about the Arab/Islamic war against Israel; and combats the anti-Israel lie that Israel is an "occupier" of her own land. ZOA spearheaded long battles to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and apply civil rights protections to Jewish students. ZOA provides free legal assistance and programs to pro-Israel students at numerous college campuses. ZOA's bold, unapologetic voice has a significant impact on public discourse and policy. DONATE NOW Copyright © Zionist Organization of America 2023, All rights reserved. Zionist Organization of America | 633 Third Ave, 31 B, New York, NY 10017 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]