Letter to Toronto National Post

Dear Editor,

If Israeli Universities are “crucibles of racist logic” as noted by South African Salim Vally [Boycott urged of Israeli academics, Nov. 29, 2007], why are they the only Universities in the Middle East where Muslims, Christians, and Jews attend classes together? I would be interested in Mr. Vally’s response.

And what of this dreaded Israeli “oppression” of Palestinians we hear so much about. On Nov. 27, 2007, the UN (not Israel ’s greatest friend) released its annual global report card on living standards in 177 countries. The Palestinians rank of 106, put them ahead of Syria (108th), Egypt (112th), Morocco (126th), Pakistan (136th), Sudan (147th), or Yemen (153rd) in the Muslim world -- and a full 71 rungs above other countries across the world, which don't get nearly the same coverage.

Many media sources and academicians have so easily bought into what is clearly anti-Israel propaganda. A compelling question is why.

Michael Berenhaus