Yakov M. Rabkin

Yakov M. Rabkin is a professor of history at the Université de Montréal, author and public intellectual. 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.[1] It has also been listed as one of the three best books of the year by Japan’s leading daily Asahi Shimbun in 2010.[2] This book is currently available in twelve languages.

His book A Threat from Within: A Century of Jewish Opposition to Zionism has drawn both praise and criticism. While the book has been praised for its detailed examination of the history of opposition of Ultra-Orthodox Jews to Zionism and its documentation of "ideas with which all Jews – secular to religious, anti-Zionist to Zionist – should be familiar" it has also been criticised for its "combative writing style and a selective use of history." One critic wrote that: "Rabkin can't resist from widely citing people who name-call and painting all Zionists as evil" and that this style of writing "diminishes the credibility of his argument."[3][4]

His other published works include studies of relations between science and technology,[5] research on cultural aspects of science,[6][7] including studies of Jews in the scientific profession,[8] Science Between the Superpowers (Priority Press), a study of programs for the exchange of U.S and Soviet Union scientists,[9] as well as works on the fate of Soviet science[10] and scientists[11] after the dismemberment of the USSR and, more generally, on science and political freedoms.[12] Over the course of his career, he has given several hundred public lectures to academic and general audiences in over thirty countries.

On July 11, 2007, Rabkin joined Montreal lawyers and academics in publishing an opinion piece in Le Devoir demanding an explanation from McGill University for the dismissal of religious studies lecturer Norman Cornett.[13]

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."[14]

In a conversation with Alan Hart, Hart later stated that he had 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!”[15]

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. based on the Swiss cantonal model.[14][16]

References

  1. ↑ '2006 Finalists - Translation (French to English).' Canada Council for the Arts 2006
  2. ↑ "Capsule Le livre d’un historien québécois primé au Japon comme l’un des meilleurs livres de l’année 2010.". CERIUM. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  3. ↑ Amelan, Ralph (2006-12-28). "Enemies of the state - Arts & Culture - Jerusalem Post". Jpost.com. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
  4. ↑ Cynthia Ramsay, 'Bias ruins anti-Zionist book,' Jewish Independent 7 April, 2006
  5. ↑ "From Classical to Modern Chemistry: The Instrumental Revolution - Peter J. T. Morris". Books.google.ca. 1966-01-15. p. 3. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
  6. ↑ "Cultural variations in scientific development". Ssi.sagepub.com. 1986-12-01. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
  7. ↑ "Citation Visibility of Africa's Science". Sss.sagepub.com. 1979-11-01. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
  8. ↑ 'American Jews in the Physical Sciences,' in Stephen Harlan Norwood,Eunice G. Pollack (eds.) Encyclopedia of American Jewish History, ABC-Clio, 2008, vol. 2, pp. 739-742.
  9. ↑ Campbell, John C. (Winter 1988–1989). "Capsule review". Foreign Affairs (Council on Foreign Relations).
  10. ↑ "Transforming Science and Technology Systems: The Endless Transition? - Werner Meske". Books.google.ca. p. 339. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
  11. ↑ Yakov M. Rabkin, Elena M Mirskaya, 'Russia:Science in the Post-Soviet Disunion,' in Barry Lesser, A.D. Tillett (eds.) Science and Technology in Central and Eastern Europe: The Reform of Higher Education, Garland Publishing, 1996 pp.43-51
  12. ↑ Yakov M. Rabkin, Elena M Mirskaya, ‘Science and Totalitarianism: Lessons for the twenty-first century,’ Mark Walker, ed. Science and Ideology: A Comparative History, Routledge 2003 pp.17-33.
  13. ↑ "L’université McGill pratique-t-elle la censure ?". Le Devoir (in French) (Vigile.net). 2007-07-11. Retrieved 2009-03-30.
  14. 1 2 'Counterpoint: Yakov Rabkin on Pride parade,' National Post 7 May 2010.
  15. ↑ "Open letter to British Conservative Party leader David Cameron". Alan Hart. 2010-06-24. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
  16. ↑ Constance Hilliard, Does Israel Have a Future?: The Case for a Post-Zionist State, Potomac Books, Inc., 2011 p.126.

External links

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