[NYTr] Zinn, Comm. for an Open Discussion of Ziionism Defend Joel Kovel

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Sent by Michael Smith via Jane Franklin - Oct 7, 2007

Dear Friends,

My friend Joel Kovel's just-published book "Overcoming Zionism" may be 
suppressed.  Indeed, his publisher, Pluto Press, may lose its
distribution contract with the University of Michigan Press.  Please
read the details below and write the University of Michigan people
encouraging them to stand up for the free discussion of ideas and not
knuckle under to the Israel lobby.  Thank you.

The University is supposed to make its decision on October l9th.  I am 
sending you the addresses of the four (4) relevant U Mich people.  This
is a critical fight since Pluto Press is one of the main progressive
publishers in the world (ie. they publish Chomsky) and if they lose
their distribution arrangement with U Mich it would be devastating, to
them, and to the movement.  We can win this one.  Please send Howard
Zinn's letter out to your lists as well.

Sincerely,

Michael Smith

CODZ solicitation letter - Oct 5, 2007

 A Message from Howard Zinn

 on behalf of the Committee for an Open Discussion of Zionism

 Dear Friend:

 As you may have heard, in late August of this
 year, The University of Michigan Press, after
 receiving a series of complaining and threatening
 emails and letters from an ultra-Zionist group
 called StandWithUs, an offshoot of Campus Watch,
 withdrew from distribution Prof. Joel Kovel's
 book Overcoming Zionism, published by Pluto Press
 in London, United Kingdom. Since then, following
 numerous protests by fellow academics and
 scholars, The U. of M. Press Executive Board has
 restored the book to its distribution listings.
 But, ominously, the Board has indicated its
 intention to reconsider its contract with Pluto Press in mid
 October.

 Overcoming Zionism is a serious, well researched
 work espousing a humanistic resolution. It is a
 valuable addition to the growing debate, in and
 out of American academia, that is re-examining
 long held assumptions about the sources of
 conflict in the Middle East. It should be
 discussed - supported or refuted ­ but not suppressed.

 But even more serious is the University's threat
 to cancel its distribution contract with Pluto
 Press. Pluto is a valuable and unique
 intellectual resource, publishing progressive
 books of a consistently high quality. It provides
 an alternative viewpoint essential to discussion
 and debate of important social issues, such as
 those concerning Israel/Palestine and the Middle
 East. The cancellation of Pluto's contract with
 the University would be a serious blow to the
 principles of pluralism, academic freedom and
 free speech.

 We urge you to add your voice to those of the
 many professors and authors that have vigorously
 protested these actions. We ask that you send a
 letter or, better yet, an email to U. of M. Press
 Executive Board Chair Peggy McCracken with copies
 to University of Michigan President Mary Sue
 Coleman, Dean Janet A Weiss; and Provost Teresa
 Sullivan, demanding that the University of
 Michigan Press continue its contract with Pluto
 Press. Further, we ask that you forward this
 request for support and suggested support letter
 to those on any list that you may maintain or
 have access to.

 We attach a sample letter, below, along with
 email and postal addressees, for your
 convenience. Please send this immediately, or
 feel free to compose your own. Time is of the essence
 so please act quickly.

 Thank you for your kind support.

 Sincerely,
 Howard Zinn
 For the Committee for an Open Discussion of Zionism
 http://www.CODZ.org


 Please send your letters and emails to:

 Professor Peggy McCracken
 Executive Board Chair
 University of Michigan Press
 University of Michigan
 Ann Arbor, MI 48109
 peggymcc at umich.edu

 President Susan Coleman
 University of Michigan
 Ann Arbor, MI 48109
 presoff at umich.edu

 Janet A. Weiss
 Dean of the Rackham Graduate School and Vice Provost
 University of Michigan
 Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070
 janetw at umich.edu

 Teresa A. Sullivan
 Provost and Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs
 3074 Fleming Building
 University of Michigan
 Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1340
 tsull at umich.edu


 SAMPLE LETTER:

 Dear Professor McCracken:

 It has come to my attention that The University
 of Michigan Press has recently withdrawn its
 distribution of Prof. Joel Kovel's book,
 "Overcoming Zionism" and has indicated its
 intention to review, and perhaps cancel, its
 distribution contract with the publisher of Prof.
 Kovel's book, Pluto Press. It is my understanding
 that these steps were taken immediately following
 a barrage of complaints from a group called
 StandWithUs Michgan, an offshoot of the notorious
 Campus Watch censorship organization. I have
 heard that distribution of Prof. Kovel's book has
 been resumed but that the Pluto Press contract
 remains under a cloud.

 Pluto is a valuable intellectual resource,
 publishing critical and progressive books of
 consistently high quality. It is a highly
 respected alternative academic press. Its
 discontinuation by the U.of M. Press would
 directly inhibit people's access to
 non-mainstream material and would impede critical
 thought, discussion and debate on important
 issues, especially those concerning Israel/Palestine
 and the Middle East.

 Further, the University's suspension of its
 distribution contract with Pluto Press under
 these circumstances would constitute a flagrant
 violation of the principles of academic freedom
 and freedom of speech. I strongly protest against
 any such move. My high regard for the University
 of Michigan would be seriously diminished if such
 a suspension took place and it would affect any
 future relationship I might have with the University.

 Sincerely,
 [SIGN YOUR NAME]