The Jury Is Stacked Against Israel

Once again, Israel takes it in the shins from irrational haters. Maurice Ostroff sends an open letter to the chairman of the Russell Tribunal to set things straight:

I am writing this letter because I am familiar with both the Israeli and South African views on the forthcoming session of the Russell Tribunal “Are Israel’s practices against the Palestinian People in breach of the prohibition on Apartheid under International Law”.

I presently live in Israel and in my earlier years I was an anti-apartheid activist in South Africa. Among my activities I participated in the WW2 ex-servicemen’s Springbok Legion. With nearly 60,000 members including a large number of Jews, the legion was probably the first mass movement of whites promoting the liberation of Blacks.

As the tribunal bears the imprimatur of that great philosopher and peace activist Bertrand Russell, one expects the panelists to take seriously the principles of moral integrity he exhorted. Indeed, if the delegates meticulously heed the advice Russell offered in a “last message to our descendants” one could look forward to a refreshingly balanced and even-handed report.

During an extensive interviewon the BBC , Russell advised “When you are studying any matter or considering any philosophy ask yourself only what are the facts and what is the truth that the facts bear out. Never let yourself be diverted either by what you wish to believe or by what you think will have beneficial social effects if it were believed. Look only and solely at what are the facts”.

Sadly, contrary to Russell’s advice, the Tribunal appears to be reinforcing preconceived opinions and avoiding inconvenient facts. How else can one explain the careful selection of a “jury” comprising only prominent persons who have publicly voiced strongly anti-Israel statements and preconceived opinions? And how does one explain the fact that jurists and members of the public who attend will not be allowed to question speakers?

In this climate, unlike in a democratic debate or  court of law where both sides are heard, even the most misleading statements will go unchallenged and the totally unjustified anti-Israel apartheid canard will be propagated, without the benefit of honest intellectual examination.

Read the rest of AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RUSSELL TRIBUNAL AND MEMBERS OF THE "JURY"