This is a followup to the earlier story:
Princeton Censors Ex-PLO Speakers; Likely to Hire PLO Professor
The Princeton Israel Public Affairs Committee (PIPAC), an undergraduate student organization registered with Princeton University, would like to make the following statement concerning recent events surrounding the proposed December 8 appearance of Walid Shoebat at Princeton University.
It is the unanimous opinion of our group that the University and our organization postponed the event due to procedural and logistical considerations rather than as an attempt to suppress speech on campus.
Early in the fall, PIPAC contacted the Walid Shoebat Foundation in regard to hosting three ex-terrorists. These speakers would discuss their involvement in violent acts against Israel and their decision to renounce terrorism and advocate for peace. The goal of PIPAC for this event was to bring a pro-Israel voice to Princeton?s campus and further the campus discussion of current issues in the Middle East. The Foundation did not communicate their intention to hold an event much larger in scale.
The Foundation intentionally misled PIPAC concerning their plan to generate national media attention. The Foundation made repeated grandiose claims as to the projected scope of the event, only to follow with the caveat that it was equally possible that there would be no media attention whatsoever. These conflicting messages made it impossible for PIPAC to gauge the direction this event would take.
The Foundation?s advertising incorrectly gave the impression that the University had invited Walid Shoebat directly. At no time was PIPAC consulted concerning this publicity, nor were we mentioned as the sponsoring organization of the Shoebat lecture on campus.
Additionally, the Foundation made unsparing use of intimidation tactics, rudeness, and foul language. The Foundation?s manager and his associates often cursed at and insulted the members of PIPAC, including hurling vicious anti-Semitic remarks. This appalling and rather unprofessional behavior chilled the relations between the Foundation and PIPAC.
As a result of the willfully misleading behavior of the Foundation, PIPAC was not in a position to make a variety of arrangements necessary for an event on the scale projected by the Foundation such as proper security, parking permits, etc. Furthermore, the Foundation never submitted a contract on behalf of the speaker for our review. Early in the process, we told the Foundation that all contracts must be signed by an administrator in the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students. A contract signed by the Dean?s office is necessary for event approval for all events requiring a speaker honorarium.
Given all the factors discussed above, PIPAC completely understands the reasons behind the University?s decision to postpone the event and wholeheartedly supports their decision in this matter.
Princeton U. Says Campus Event Against Terrorism is ?Too Inflammatory? Princeton University has cancelled a speaking event by three former Middle East terrorists because it says that the use of the word "terrorist" in the promotion for the event is "too
Tracked: Dec 07, 00:57