Local News
May 9, 2008
Dershowitz Blasts Israel Critics
Alan Dershowitz visits Baltimore, giving a message of truth.
Phil Jacobs
Executive Editor
Professor Alan M. Dershowitz spent a Sunday in Baltimore that few who heard him speak will ever forget.
During the day, May 4, he spoke on behalf of the University of Baltimore School of Law. His topic was “Defending Truth: Legal and Moral Imperatives of Holocaust Denial.”
That evening, he carried his message to more than 1,800 who packed Baltimore Hebrew Congregation as part of the program, “From Tragedy To Triumph, Israel at 60.”
Mr. Dershowitz, of Harvard Law School, came to Baltimore through the efforts of University of Baltimore School of Law Dean Phillip Closius, and more specifically Profs. Kenneth Lasson, Rebecca Korzec and co-chairs of the accademic symposium.
The law school co-sponsored the evening’s event with the Baltimore Jewish Council, a constituent agency of the Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore.
The event was held to mark the days of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, which occurred on May 1, and Yom Ha’atzma’ut, Israel Independence Day, which was marked yesterday, May 8.
Remarks were given by Gov. Martin O’Malley and Mayor Sheila Dixon. Both public officials spoke passionately about the moral obligation everyone has to never show indifference to hate and denial. Mr. O’Malley talked of a visit to Israel and the memories he had of a display of children’s shoes he saw at Yad VaShem, Israel’s national Holocaust museum.
Many of the area’s Holocaust survivors and their families were asked to stand and be recognized. The Hazamir Baltimore Choir, under the direction of Erika Schon, brought youthful, spirited and soulful songs to the program as well.
Ms. Dixon mentioned Baltimore’s commitment to Israel and its unifying connection to sister Israeli city Ashkelon.
“I say to you, as a proud American, that we will always stand with Israel in her hour of need. Never again will you face evil alone,” said the mayor.
The community was also welcomed to the event by Baltimore Jewish Council President Clair Zamoiski Segal and Associated Board Chair Genine Macks Fidler.
Mr. Dershowitz was introduced by Chizuk Amuno’s Rabbi Ron Shulman. One could feel Mr. Dershowitz’s passion and energy throughout the sanctuary. He spoke on the topic of denial and remembrance.
“There was the denial of the 1930s when Hitler came to power,” said Mr. Dershowitz. More recently, he spoke of the denial going on around the world concerning Iran, its nuclear capabilities, and the denial that this country is really focused on destroying Israel. He complimented Maryland for doing more towards divestment from Iran than the United Nations. Indeed, the divestment bill before the General Assembly was a top priority for the Maryland Jewish Alliance.
Mr. Dershowitz also spoke of the denial of the Palestinian people, that denial being the existence of a Jewish state.
“When Palestinian leaders want their own state, and are not focused on the destruction of Israel, there will be peace,” he said.
He added that basic morals aren’t enough in this day and age, that there has to be a huge element of strength. Israel, he said, has to be a state with both strength and Shalom.
“If the Palestinians laid down their arms,” he said, “there would be peace. But if the Israelis laid down their arms, there would be genocide.”
He ended by saying, “Thank God for America. Always remember. Always rely on the truth.”