Palestine Cultural Office-Michigan Issues Statement Regarding Defamation of Helen Thomas

posted on: Dec 15, 2010

Press Release issued by the Palestine Cultural Office-Michigan:

The Palestine Cultural Office-Michigan has issued the statement below regarding Helen Thomas’ defamation and her accusation of anti-Semitism by the ADL and other Zionist and pro-Zionist supporters leading Wayne State University to withdraw Helen Thomas’ name from the Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity in the Media Award.

“The Palestine Cultural Office-Michigan is dismayed by the stance of Wayne State University, a nationally respected institution, to stand in violation of Thomas’ first amendment rights to free expression and academic freedom, guaranteed by all reputable academic institutions.” Said Hasan Newash, director; he went on to say, “This is a threat to civil liberties and civil rights of all Americans, not just Arab Americans.”

The Palestine Cultural Office-Michigan urges all citizens concerned to express their views to Wayne State University’s administration. This action stands inconsistent with the University’s mission to develop the minds of potential leaders, among Michigan’s diverse communities and throughout the country. This is a national issue which needs addressing by all Americans.

Below is the Palestine Cultural Office-Michigan Statement Regarding the Defamation of Helen Thomas

Helen Thomas’ remarks at the Diversity Workshop hosted by Arab Detroit in Dearborn, December 2, 2010 have been twisted to mean something far removed from what she had stated. Thomas NEVER used the word “Jews” or “Jew” in any of her remarks. She focused specifically, instead, on the political aspects of a very complex issue.

Thomas has the right to challenge an identifiable political constituency in America that advocates for a foreign country. To have some extremist American supporters of Israel twist and distort her remarks as anti-Semitic is a tragedy that reflects the continued deteriorating situation of those who support a durable peace in Palestine/Israel.

In the course of her statement challenging anti-Arab bias in Hollywood and in the media, Thomas recalled, as was quoted in the Detroit Free Press: “The words of a rabbi at Martin Luther King’s 1963 civil rights march on Washington D.C., when he made his, I have a dream speech. Thomas said that the rabbi, who survived Nazi concentration camps, told the crowd “the greatest sin of all in the Nazi era was silence.”

Therefore, our silence in the face of continuing attacks on Arabs and Arab Americans is complicity. In fact, discrediting Helen Thomas by a political constituency supporting a foreign government is a greater sin than complicity of silence. It is important that every American understands the issues Helen Thomas has raised, without fear of being slandered or defamed.

America prides itself on free speech, tolerance, upholding the First Amendment, and those inherent qualities of Americanism which should not be compromised to advance a foreign-driven agenda. Americans should be allowed to debate and discuss, without fear of defamation or retribution, issues that are important to all of us as Americans.

You cannot have true diversity without free speech and a tolerance for opposing and divergent views; and you cannot have diversity when individuals resort to the use of bullying or intimidation as a part of that discussion.

The Palestine Cultural Office-Michigan
December 15, 2010

To express your opinion, call or email the following individuals:

Allan Gilmour, Interim President
313-577-2230
julie.h.miller@wayne.edu

Ronald T. Brown, Provost
Email: provost@wyne.edu
Call 313 577-5666

Dean Mathew W. Seeger, Dean
Email: matthew.seeger@wayne.edu
Call 313 577-5342

Michael Wright, Vice President
Email: m.wright@wayne.edu
Call 313 577-6491

Ahmad Ezzeddine
Email: a.m.ezzeddine@wayne.edu