Jonathan Schwartz, of Anti-Racist Blog brought that story in Inside Higher Ed, to my attention.

Book on Hold

The University of Michigan Press last month halted distribution of Overcoming Zionism, which argues that the creation of Israel was a mistake and urges adoption of the “one state” solution to the Israeli-Palestinian clash in which Israelis and Palestinians would anatomy a new country, without a Jewish character. The book was written by Joel Kovel, distinguished professor of social studies at Bard College. The publisher is Pluto Press, a British outfit that describes itself as having a left-wing focus and that publishes books by and for scholars in the social sciences. The University of Michigan Press is the American distributor for Pluto.

One day later Michigan Resumes Distribution of Anti-Israel Book
. The usual excuses were given.

The Michigan Daily reported

A blog called Dissident Veteran for Peace posted in August what it claims is an e-mail that University Press Director Philip Pochoda sent on Aug. 24 to Kovel, the book’s author. In the e-mail, Pochoda said he was planning to defend the book’s distribution with a “free
speech defense” but was appalled by what he called Kovel’s “reckless, vicious, and unmodulated attack on Zionism and all Zionists.”

The e-mail went on to say that the book wasn’t something the University wouldn’t want to be associated with.

“Perhaps such vituperative and aggressive rhetoric works for the barricades,” the e-mail said. “But it cannot be countenanced or underwritten by the university or the university press, even in that peripheral, distributed capacity.”

No Tags

Original post by Ted Belman

Anti-Semitism Torah Scrolls Mezuza Kashrut Guide Soncino Hanukah Free Talis Paroches Kosher Hotels Mezzuza Synagogue Synagogue Items Jerusalem Tallitot Reform Jews Judaica Torah Cover Kashrut Jewish Law Jewish Wedding Yemenite Haggadah Torah Binders Orthodox Jew jewish Conservative Ketubot Holocaust Jewish Singles Jewish Youth Ask a Rabbi Taleisim Jewish Social Haggadahs Chanukah Reform Menorot Kosher Recipes Monorah Kosher Holidays Enlightenment Talis Bag Kosher Food Jewish Camps Jewish World News Menorahs Talmud Antisemitism Kippah