1033 Cambridge Union debating society hosts Dr Mahathir, and infuriates the Lobby

Cambridge Union debating society hosts Dr Mahathir, and infuriates the Lobby

Newsletter published on June 22, 2019

(1) Cambridge Union debating society hosts Dr Mahathir, and infuriates
the Lobby
(2) Cambridge audience tickled pink by Dr M’s scintillating wit
(3) Malaysian PM Mahathir sparks controversy over anti-Semitic remarks
at Cambridge University
(4) Cambridge Union slammed by ex-presidents after Dr M’s ‘anti-Semitic’
remarks
(5) Cambridge’s generous platform to Malaysia’s PM was an abuse of free
speech
(6) Appreciative Laughter Greets Malaysian PM’s Antisemitic Barb at
Cambridge University Appearance

(1) Cambridge Union debating society hosts Dr Mahathir, and infuriates
the Lobby

From: bronek <bronekc@me.com>
Subject: Amazingly Cambridge Lecture by Hater on Verboten Topic not
Cancelled

Goodness. Malaysian PM tries to blame much of the world’s turmoil on
what we have been educated to know is an element that has suffered more
than all of mankind combined.

No wonder cyber space is so monitored! Goodness he is so full of wrong
thinking. Right? Does he not read the newspapers or watch TV?

Enjoy.

http://www.jwire.com.au/cambridge-enables-malaysian-prime-minister-to-spread-antisemitism-unchecked/

Cambridge enables Malaysian Prime Minister to spread antisemitism unchecked

June 18, 2019 by TPS

The Cambridge Union debating society hosted Malaysian Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohamad, a vocal anti-Semite, at the academic venue on Sunday,
during which he reiterated his anti-Semitic and Holocaust-denying views
while going unchallenged by the audience.

The Cambridge Union Society debating chamber during the 2011 Cambridge
Festival of Ideas. Pic: Wikimedia Commons

The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), a London-based watchdog, has
filed a complaint with the Charity Commission against Cambridge Union, a
registered charity.

In a recording of the event posted on YouTube, Mahathir is seen being
asked by the moderator about his past anti-Semitic comments.

"I have some Jewish friends, very good friends. They are not like the
other Jews. That’s why they are my friends," he replied. The audience
responded with laughter.

When questioned about his Holocaust denial, he said that "the Israelis
should know from the sufferings they went through in the war not to
treat others like that."

CAA noted that under the International Definition of Antisemitism,
"drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the
Nazis" is considered anti-Semitism.

He also denied saying that only four million were murdered in the
Holocaust, something that he has previously stated on the record.

He defended anti-Semitism by saying that "of course if you say anything
against the Jews, you are labeled anti-Semitic. No other race in the
world labels people like that, why is it forbidden to criticize the Jews
when other people criticize us?"

"The Jews do a lot of wrong things, which force us to pass comment," he
added.

He also defended his calling Jews "hooked nosed" by saying that "people
do generalize, in describing certain people we take some general
characteristics that they have, why is it that it’s the Jews who resent
this when other people don’t resent being accused of some general
characteristic that they have?"

He justified his anti-Semitism by using an example that "the British
Jews used to say the Malays are lazy."

"It is disgraceful and unforgivable that Cambridge Union, a club
affiliated to the University of Cambridge, one of Britain’s most
prestigious educational institutions, rolled out the red carpet for this
self-confessed and unrepentant anti-Semite, and presented him with a
platform from which to share his dangerous views with students,
unchallenged," CAA stated Tuesday.

A Jewish student who attended the event told CAA that a Union staff
member spoke to him during the event and told him that he had seen him
earlier near a small group of protestors and that security would
specifically be keeping an eye on him. A member of security was
subsequently positioned near him.

"The way Jewish students were clearly targeted for extra surveillance by
security personnel left them feeling extremely uncomfortable and in some
cases, too intimidated to ask the speaker a question" he recounted.

"While the opportunity to challenge Mahathir Mohamad on his regressive
views on homosexuals and Jews might have been prima facie valuable, in
this instance the Union failed to adequately counter his unacceptable
rhetoric," he told CAA.

"The questioner did manage to bring up controversial topics, but
regularly let clearly racist and discriminatory comments go
unchallenged. One horrific comment about Cambridge being colonized and
renamed Israel was shockingly met with laughter from the floor. It seems
the Union is conflicted between pampering its VIP guests, and truly
holding them to account," he charged.

CAA has complained to the University of Cambridge and the Charity
Commission and wrote the home secretary that the decision to admit
Mahathir into the UK could breach the government’s counter-extremism policy.

"If Cambridge Union wished to host Dr. Mohamad in the name of free
speech, his longstanding Jew-hatred should have faced the harshest
dissection and cross-examination that is the best of this country’s
academic tradition. Instead, the Union gingerly and respectfully
provided a platform for a revolting bigot," CAA charged. "The Union
decided to allow Dr. Mohamad to spew his vitriol against Jews without
challenge and we intend to ensure that it bears the consequences of that
unforgivable choice."

(2) Cambridge audience tickled pink by Dr M’s scintillating wit
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/06/18/cambridge-audience-tickled-pink-by-dr-ms-scintillating-wit/

Cambridge audience tickled pink by Dr M’s scintillating wit

Tuesday, 18 Jun 2019

CAMBRIDGE: The subject matter covered was not much different from the
talk he delivered at Oxford Union in January, yet Tun Dr Mahathir
Mohamad kept the floor engaged with his wit and humour at the Cambridge
Union.

The rumblings of a small group of protesters outside were soon drowned
by the Prime Minister’s off-the-cuff speech inside the Cambridge Union
Society hall on Sunday which took the audience from the British rule
narrative to the present-day woes faced by the country and the world.

Some of the attendees noted that the talk was not much different from
the one in Oxford Union because the nonagenarian was steadfast in his
stand on many issues, such as the Israeli regime carving out its own
state at the expense of Palestine, atrocities suffered by Palestinians,
and Malaysia’s stand on LGBT.

He also once again highlighted how Malaysia shifted its focus from the
West to the East, and the fear of marginalisation of the smaller
countries by the bigger nations.

The crowd was amused when Dr Mahathir pointed out in jest that in the
English language, people did not mean what they said.

"For example, in Parliament, the Speaker is not allowed to speak.
Malaysia is a member of the Commonwealth but there is nothing much in
common with the wealth dominated by certain countries.

"The British acknowledged the Malay Sultans as Rulers but the Sultans
never ruled. Therefore, when they criticise us as dictators, I don’t
think they really mean it," he said as the audience roared.

After the speech, when host Adam Davies asked about his return to active
politics, Dr Mahathir had this to say; "I came back because the very
same Opposition that used to call me a dictator decided that I should be
their leader, at their request and not mine".

And the Prime Minister’s reply to the last question from the floor again
drew laughter.

When he was asked whether the Pakatan Harapan coalition would be
returned in the next election, he replied: "It depends on you, if you
vote for us, we will return".

Also in attendance was Dr Mahathir’s wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali,
Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah and Youth and Sports Minister
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

Among those in the audience were Malaysian students and Cambridge
undergraduates as well as Malaysians based in the United Kingdom. – Bernama

(3) Malaysian PM Mahathir sparks controversy over anti-Semitic remarks
at Cambridge University

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-mahathir-anti-semitic-controversy-cambridge-union-11638054

18 Jun 2019 06:08PM (Updated: 18 Jun 2019 06:10PM)

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has once again
sparked controversy over his anti-Semitic views while on a working visit
to the United Kingdom, with his remarks drawing the ire of local Jewish
students.

"I have some Jewish friends, very good friends, they are not like the
other Jews, that’s why they are my friends," Dr Mahathir reportedly said
at the Cambridge Union debating society on Sunday (Jun 16).

His remarks were said to have been followed by laughter from the
audience, prompting a sharp response from the Jewish student community.

In a tweet, the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) stated: "Freedom of
speech is not a joke when it incites hatred against one people."

The UJS represents more than 8,000 Jewish students on UK campuses.

Mr Adam Cannon, a lawyer and former UJS president added that allowing
anti-Semitic and racist comments to go unchallenged while the audience
laughed was unacceptable.

"It is shameful and humiliating for such a great institution to allow
this to take place," he said.

In a statement, the Cambridge Union noted that laughter had originated
from the middle section of the room, where the prime minister’s
delegation was seated.

"Our moderator repeatedly challenged the Prime Minister on his
anti-Semitic comments, bringing the conversation to the topic
continuously," it said.

It added that the Cambridge Jewish Society was invited to attend the
talk and ask questions, while questions submitted by UJS prior to the
event were relayed to the Malaysian leader via the moderator.

This is not the first time Dr Mahathir has made anti-Semitic remarks
publicly.

He has in the past questioned whether six million Jewish people died
during the Holocaust and described Jewish people as "hook nosed".

Speaking at the Oxford Union in January, he was repeatedly challenged by
students over his anti-Semitic comments. In response, he then said: "I
cannot understand this. We talk about freedom of speech and yet you
cannot say anything against Israel, against the Jews. Why is that so?"

Later that month, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) stripped
Malaysia of the right to host the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships
because the country had banned Israeli athletes.

Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

Before Dr Mahathir’s speech on Sunday, UJS expressed disappointment that
Cambridge Union decided to host the veteran politician.

"We expect Mahathir Mohamad to be robustly challenged on his anti-Jewish
racism and to be shown that his views are not welcome on UK campuses,"
UJS said last week.

On Sunday, Dr Mahathir reportedly defended his decision to call Jews
"hooked nosed".

"People do generalise, in describing certain people we take some general
characteristics that they have, why is it that it’s the Jews who resent
this when other people don’t resent being accused of some general
characteristic that they have?" he said.

Source: CNA/aw(tx)

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/06/20/cambridge-union-slammed-by-ex-presidents-after-dr-ms-anti-semitic-remarks-v/1763769

(4) Cambridge Union slammed by ex-presidents after Dr M’s ‘anti-Semitic’
remarks

Published 2 days ago on 20 June 2019

BY BOO SU-LYN

KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 — Eight former presidents of the Cambridge Union
have criticised Cambridge University’s debating society for not
challenging Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s allegedly anti-Semitic remarks.

The ex-Cambridge Union presidents noted in a letter published on Jewish
News yesterday that those present at the event hosting Dr Mahathir last
Sunday had laughed at the Malaysian prime minister’s remarks: "I have
some Jewish friends, very good friends. They are not like other Jews,
that’s why they are my friends."

"This level of febrile Jew hatred must be confronted — and that is what
the Cambridge Union has traditionally done. Encouraging robust debate
while not allowing minority groups to be subjected to hatred is one of
the reasons why the Union has long enjoyed its prestigious reputation.

"We are disappointed that The Union representative running the event did
not challenge the shameful views he allowed Dr Mohamad to share by
asking him the question in the first place," said the eight ex-Cambridge
Union presidents.

They also expressed disappointment that the students present casually
laughed at "racist remarks" and warned that such views legitimised hatred.

The eight who wrote the letter are Adam Cannon, Lauren Davidson, Lance
Foreman, Jeremy Brier, Nick Chatrath, Gareth Weetman, George Bevis, and
Joel Fenster.

The Cambridge Union said in a statement yesterday that the laughter
depicted in a video being circulated on social media came from Dr
Mahathir’s delegation, not from its members.

"Although we deeply appreciate the concerns that have been raised, we
urge all commentators to wait until watching the complete video on our
YouTube," said the Cambridge Union.

The Cambridge Union also said its event moderator repeatedly challenged
Dr Mahathir’s anti-Semitic comments, such as scrutinising the prime
minister’s decision to ban Israeli swimmers from entering Malaysia for
the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships that were later moved to
London because of the ban.

"Additionally, given the open Q and A at the end of the speech, audience
members were able to challenge the Prime Minister’s use of
generalisations concerning Jews, asking why he so condemned Western
generalisations of Malaysians if he himself made anti-Semitic
generalisations about the Jewish community."

https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/cambridges-generous-platform-to-malaysias-pm-was-an-abuse-of-free-speech/

(5) Cambridge’s generous platform to Malaysia’s PM was an abuse of free
speech

JUN 18, 2019, 2:44 PM

What exactly was the Cambridge Union thinking when it invited Mahathir
Mohamad to speak last week? Mohamad, Malaysia’s Prime Minister, has been
one of the world’s most outspoken and notorious antisemites in recent
decades. He has stereotyped Jews as ‘hook nosed’ people who ‘understand
money instinctively’, questioned the scale of the Holocaust and accused
the Jews of ruling the world ‘by proxy.’

He has also tapped into a rich vein of conspiratorial antisemitism by
accusing Israel of being behind all the woes of the Middle East. Indeed,
he has not even hidden his prejudice, declaring that he is ‘glad to be
labelled antisemitic’. In essence, this foul racist is imbued with a
level of hatred that would have endeared him to the Nazi regime.

To understand why Mohamad was invited, one need only listen to the
comments made by the Union afterwards when they stated that ‘free speech
and student welfare are equally important to us.’ The union has long
opposed the ‘no platform’ policy of the National Union of Students. It
argues that students should freely listen to all those who have made a
decisive impact on national politics and that is why they have invited
such ‘luminaries’ as Marine Le Pen and Abu Hamza to address them.

Freedom of speech is indeed a vital component of a civilised society
and, with only a few exceptions, students should be able to judge for
themselves who they can and cannot listen to. But free speech
fundamentally requires accountability, the ability to hold people’s
words and actions to serious public scrutiny. This is especially true
for those who espouse deeply controversial and irrational views that
violate standards of decency. If they are simply allowed to spew yet
more venom, their freedom of speech becomes a licence to hate, mock and
demonise others.

And that is indeed what happened. When challenged about some of the
anti-Jewish comments he had made, Mohamad replied: ‘I have some Jewish
friends, very good friends. They are not like the other Jews, that’s why
they are my friends." This spiteful reference to ‘good versus bad’ Jews
invited laughter from the audience, reportedly from the Malaysian
delegation that were present, while the rest were shamefully silent.

Where was the Douglas Murray or Melanie Phillips or John Mann to counter
such a vicious remark? Where was the fearless interlocutor to remind
those watching that this man was a calculating, nasty racist? When the
BBC made the decision to invite Nick Griffin on BBC Question Time in
2009, it generated understandable controversy. But at least the
corporation ensured that he faced an array of political and cultural
figures, people of considerable experience and calibre, to hold his past
words and actions to scrutiny.

Yet there was no such heavyweight to challenge the Malaysian Prime
Minister on his record of bigotry and offensiveness. He had an easy ride
when he should have been made to squirm. Under those circumstances, the
generous platform that Mohamad was given allowed him to incite hatred
against a minority without any fear of recrimination, a clear abuse of
freedom of speech.

Worse, this has happened at the very same time that antisemitism
continues to be a problem on our university campuses. Jewish student
societies have been forced to use security for fear of racist attacks
and some keep the locations of their events secret for the same reason.

In 2018, vicious name calling was reported at Oxford University’s Labour
club with Jews labelled pejoratively as ‘Zios’. Earlier this year, more
than 200 students tried to block the creation of a Jewish society at the
University of Essex while one of the university’s academics, Dr Maaruf
Ali, was dismissed for antisemitism. The Cambridge Union has contributed
to this cacophony of prejudice by giving a free platform to an
unrepentant Jew hater. Shame on them.

(6) Appreciative Laughter Greets Malaysian PM’s Antisemitic Barb at
Cambridge University Appearance

https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/06/17/appreciative-laughter-greets-malaysian-pms-antisemitic-barb-at-cambridge-university-appearance/

JUNE 17, 2019 10:16 AM 42

by Ben Cohen

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad — infamous for his antisemitic
views across several decades — delivered an anti-Jewish barb that was
greeted with laughter during an appearance at the Cambridge University
Union in the UK on Sunday night.

The 93-year-old was responding to a respectfully-posed question from the
event moderator who asked him, "Why do you say that the Jewish people in
general are inclined towards money? There are lots of Jews who care
about human rights, care about social justice, care about democracy."

Mahathir answered: "I have some Jewish friends, very good friends. They
are not like the other Jews, that’s why they are my friends."

This comment was met with an appreciative peal of laughter that rippled
across the audience. This was immediately followed by an awkward
silence, during which Mahathir grinned at the moderator and then the
audience.

At no point was Mahathir challenged or reprimanded by the moderator.
There were no audible protests from the audience.

Embedded video

Union of Jewish Students @UJS_UK "I have some Jewish friends, very good
friends. They are not like the other Jews, that’s why they are my
friends"- Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad at the Cambridge Union last night.

The audience laughs.

Freedom of speech is not a joke when it incites hatred against one people.

Mahathir also found an opportunity at the event to demonize the LGBTQ+
community with a rant against gay marriage that was approvingly reported
in the Malaysian media.

"I don’t understand gay marriage. Marriage is about producing children.
Do you get children in a gay marriage? What do they do? They adopt
children and things like that," said Mahathir, who was re-elected as
Malaysia’s prime minister in 2018.

Mahathir’s long-held beliefs about Jewish domination of global politics
and finance have become one of his defining characteristics as a world
leader. Career highlights have included invoking the Nazi stereotype of
Jews as "hooknosed" financiers, questioning the extent of the Holocaust
during an interview with the BBC, and telling a Muslim solidarity
conference with the Palestinians that the September 11, 2001 Al Qaeda
terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, DC, "were staged…as an
excuse to mount attacks against the Muslim world."

In that same speech, in 2010, Mahathir added pointedly: "[Y]ou know,
there are forces in the United States which prevent the president from
doing some things. One of the forces is the Jewish lobby, AIPAC."

Several protests were made to the Cambridge Union  — Britain’s oldest
debating society — in the lead-up to Mahathir’s appearance on Sunday.

Adam Cannon, a former Union president, took to Twitter last week to
express his discontent regarding the invitation. "As a former President
of the [Cambridge Union]", he wrote, "I’m appalled that they have
invited […] an overt antisemite to speak."

"Free speech does not mean the Union should be giving him a platform to
spout his vile views."

Peter Sugarman, who was a Cambridge Union president in 1981, told The
Jewish Chronicle newspaper: "Just because the Union has the right to
invite someone, doesn’t mean that it’s sensible to do so.

"I endorse free speech. However, given Mr. Mohamad’s known antisemitic
views, it is sad that the Cambridge Union gave him a platform to express
such sentiments. Sadly, it appears that he lived down to expectations."

Among the student organizations condemning Mahathir’s appearance was the
Labour Party’s student branch at Cambridge University. In a tweet, the
Cambridge University Labour Club denounced the Malaysian leader as a
"vicious antisemite" and declared its "solidarity with British Jews."

Cambridge Uni Labour Club @CULC Mahathir Mohamad is a vicious antisemite
and the current prime minister of Malaysia. He has been invited to the
Cambridge Union today. We stand in solidarity with British Jews against
the threat to the community posed by the normalisation of this hatred.
@CambridgeUnion why?

80 10:15 PM - Jun 16, 2019 · Cambridge, England