Yakov M. Rabkin
Encyclopedia
Yakov M. Rabkin is a professor of history at the Université de Montréal
, author and critic of Zionism
. His book A Threat from Within: A Century of Jewish Opposition to Zionism was nominated for best French to English translation for "an important and timely work" at the 2006 Governor General's Awards
.
His other published works include Science Between the Superpowers (Priority Press), a study of programs for the exchange of U.S and Soviet Union scientists.
Rabkin joined Montreal lawyers and academics in publishing an opinion piece in Le Devoir
on July 11, 2007, demanding an explanation from McGill University
for the dismissal of religious studies lecturer Norman Cornett
.
In May 2010, Rabkin defended the group Queers Against Israeli Apartheid
(QUAIA), stating that "It is critical for the survival of our freedoms to resist the efforts of the "Israel-first" Zionists to censor free speech" and that QUAIA's activism is "uncomfortable for Israel's apologists in this country." He added that "One may sympathize with Israel fans in this country who find it hard to present the state of Israel in an attractive light. By campaigning to ban the QUAIA, they only confirm what many have long suspected: that Israel is indeed an apartheid state."
In a conversation with Alan Hart
, Hart stated that he asked Rabkin "Is it reasonable to say that the Jews of the world now have a choice to make? either to reaffirm their commitment to Judaism and renounce Zionism, or to reaffirm or affirm their commitment to Zionism and renounce Judaism?” Hart stated that Rabkin simply responded "Yes!”
Rabkin largely rejects the concept of a two-state solution
for the Israel/Palestine conflict, and has expressed strong support for a bi-national state.
Université de Montréal
The Université de Montréal is a public francophone research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It comprises thirteen faculties, more than sixty departments and two affiliated schools: the École Polytechnique and HEC Montréal...
, author and critic of Zionism
Zionism
Zionism is a Jewish political movement that, in its broadest sense, has supported the self-determination of the Jewish people in a sovereign Jewish national homeland. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the Zionist movement continues primarily to advocate on behalf of the Jewish state...
. His book A Threat from Within: A Century of Jewish Opposition to Zionism was nominated for best French to English translation for "an important and timely work" at the 2006 Governor General's Awards
2006 Governor General's Awards
The shortlisted nominees for the 2006 Governor General's Awards for Literary Merit were announced on October 16. Winning titles were announced on November 21...
.
His other published works include Science Between the Superpowers (Priority Press), a study of programs for the exchange of U.S and Soviet Union scientists.
Rabkin joined Montreal lawyers and academics in publishing an opinion piece in Le Devoir
Le Devoir
Le Devoir is a French-language newspaper published in Montreal and distributed in Quebec and the rest of Canada. It was founded by journalist, politician, and nationalist Henri Bourassa in 1910....
on July 11, 2007, demanding an explanation from McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
for the dismissal of religious studies lecturer Norman Cornett
Norman Cornett
Norman Cornett is a religious studies course lecturer in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, dismissed without explanation from his post at McGill University in the spring of 2007, possibly for his unorthodox teaching methods....
.
In May 2010, Rabkin defended the group Queers Against Israeli Apartheid
Queers Against Israeli Apartheid
Queers Against Israeli Apartheid is a Toronto-based grassroots LGBT group involved in the movement against what the organization see as Israeli apartheid and is a member of the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid. The group has been involved in Israeli Apartheid Week as well as Pride Week...
(QUAIA), stating that "It is critical for the survival of our freedoms to resist the efforts of the "Israel-first" Zionists to censor free speech" and that QUAIA's activism is "uncomfortable for Israel's apologists in this country." He added that "One may sympathize with Israel fans in this country who find it hard to present the state of Israel in an attractive light. By campaigning to ban the QUAIA, they only confirm what many have long suspected: that Israel is indeed an apartheid state."
In a conversation with Alan Hart
Alan Hart (writer)
Alan Hart is an author, former Middle East Chief Correspondent for Independent Television News, and former BBC Panorama presenter specialising in the Middle East.-Career:...
, Hart stated that he asked Rabkin "Is it reasonable to say that the Jews of the world now have a choice to make? either to reaffirm their commitment to Judaism and renounce Zionism, or to reaffirm or affirm their commitment to Zionism and renounce Judaism?” Hart stated that Rabkin simply responded "Yes!”
Rabkin largely rejects the concept of a two-state solution
Two-state solution
The two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the consensus solution that is currently under discussion by the key parties to the conflict, most recently at the Annapolis Conference in November 2007...
for the Israel/Palestine conflict, and has expressed strong support for a bi-national state.
External links
- Interview at Jerusalem Post
- Q & A at HaaretzHaaretzHaaretz is Israel's oldest daily newspaper. It was founded in 1918 and is now published in both Hebrew and English in Berliner format. The English edition is published and sold together with the International Herald Tribune. Both Hebrew and English editions can be read on the Internet...