To the editor:

I wish to respond to Barry Schreibman’s attack against me and speaker Miko Peled. Barry, who attended the Sept. 16 lecture, wrote to the editor with a mischaracterization of events. I would like to thank Pastor Keven McAllister, of the United Methodist Church, for graciously allowing us use of the chapel for the evening.

Schreibman’s expressed opinions was that it was full of falsehoods, commenting how “weird” it was that the son of an Israeli war hero would choose to criticize the State of Israel — a very good question to ask. What caused Miko Peled, son a famous general, grandson of a signer of the Israeli Declaration of Independence, soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces, and uncle to a 13-year-old killed by a Palestinian suicide bomber, to become a supporter of the human rights of Palestinians?  I was hoping that this question would have brought more Cazenovians to attend. Nevertheless, I’m thankful to those who did come.

Barry attacked Peled’s claims of “ethnic cleansing” and the massacres of Palestinians which took place at Israel’s founding in 1948. Those interested in actual history should read “The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine,” by Ilan Pappe, noted Israeli historian. Palestinians were forced from their homes, still clutching their keys, believing that they would return shortly. They haven’t been allowed back for 68 years.

Distracting certain audience members, Schreibman uttered comments while Peled spoke. Afterwards, he demanded to read a prepared statement. I introduced myself and offered my hand at our first actual meeting, but he refused it.  Peled said that he could either ask a question per the ground rules stated prior to his talk, or he could host his own event. Barry refused to phrase his commentary in the form of a question and insulted Mr. Peled. When Pastor McAllister told Barry he was acting inappropriately, he left.

Schreibman also made frequent allegations to the “extremists” I’ve hosted. If he was referring to the human rights activists who advocate for non-violent resistance to oppression, then I’m proud to have done so:  Norman Finkelstein, scholar, son of Holocaust survivors, and incredible man of moral conviction; Anna Baltzer, Jewish Fulbright Scholar and author; Alison Weir, founder of “If Americans Knew” who has dedicated her life to acquainting us on how Israel uses the more than $10 million per day in U.S. aid; Miko Peled, a man who has reinvented his life in the pursuit of justice.

I will continue to hope the Cazenovia Forum will host speaker(s) on this issue.

Pat Carmeli

Cazenovia