Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Assist Dr. Norman G. Finkelstein in Returning to the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Final supporters
TO: President Barack Obama
FROM: Peace-loving American Citizens and Their International Supporters
*****************
Dear Mr. President:
We, the undersigned, peace-loving citizens of America, do, hereby, submit this petition on behalf of one of our own, Dr. Norman G. Finkelstein. We ask that your Office secure with the Israeli government his undelayed and unhindered right of passage to Israel / Palestine.
Dr. Finkelstein is a venerable American scholar of Jewish descent who was denied entry into Israel / Palestine in 2008, and subsequently banned for ten years due to the ostensible and suspect security-concern bunkum. However, we alsohave a few concerns of our own.
Our constitutionally protected freedom of speech allows us to voice our opinions even if they are unpopular. To this end, Dr. Finkelstein did nothing wrong when decrying Israel’s bellicose actions against unarmed Palestinian civilians. However, given his track record as an upstanding, law-abiding, taxpaying American citizen of moral rectitude, the matter of security appears to be a pretext for castigating Americans who criticize Israel‘s policies which it holds so dear.
ManyAmerican taxpayers unwillingly yet obligatorily fund Israel’s prodigious war coffers, and the sophisticated security detail necessitated by visits from its government officials. Despite the protests they ignite, the controversy generated, and the legitimate security concerns these visits demand, Netanyahu, Sharon and a host of other polemical guests have not been banned from the U.S. They are free to come and go as they please. How hypocritical, then, that Israel would refuse entry to a taxpaying American for the very reason—security—that we are required to fatten their war chest.
In light of the above, we, collectively and cohesively, invoke your personal intervention to reject the preposterous decision made by the Israeli Shin Bet to deny entry to Dr. Finkelstein. As well, where Americans are concerned, disallow the undemocratic practice that security, real or feigned, is subject to the capricious, meritless whims of a purportedly democratic Israeli State.
The U.S. government—by means of our passport—asks all international countries to “…permit the citizen / national of the United States named herein to pass without delay or hindrance and in case of need to give all lawful aid and protection.” This includes Israel. Thank you.
Signed AMERICANS AND INTERNATIONALS IN SUPPORT OF DR. NORMAN G. FINKELSTEIN
More like this
Do not prevent Americans from traveling to the Gaza Strip
Support UN General Assembly President Brockmann's Call for BDS against Israel
Updates
July 30, 2013
I am looking through the stories people are sharing here and I am honestly overwhelmed by the depth of your personal experiences. This is not about me or my original idea anymore because you have all taken this and turned it into a project that truly belongs to everyone.
July 30, 2013
I am truly overwhelmed by the momentum this has gained lately and I never imagined so many people would care about this cause. This progress belongs entirely to you because I am just the person who started the page. Thank you for proving that the demand for fairness is much stronger than I ever anticipated.
3 Comments
Norman is a hero for speaking truth to power. Israel is just trying to silence anyone who exposes their war crimes. This is pathetic and disgraceful.
FREE NORMAN! Why does our govt let them push us around like this. Its time to stop funding this garbage and let the man travel.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Assist Dr. Norman G. Finkelstein in Returning to the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Final supporters
TO: President Barack Obama
FROM: Peace-loving American Citizens and Their International Supporters
*****************
Dear Mr. President:
We, the undersigned, peace-loving citizens of America, do, hereby, submit this petition on behalf of one of our own, Dr. Norman G. Finkelstein. We ask that your Office secure with the Israeli government his undelayed and unhindered right of passage to Israel / Palestine.
Dr. Finkelstein is a venerable American scholar of Jewish descent who was denied entry into Israel / Palestine in 2008, and subsequently banned for ten years due to the ostensible and suspect security-concern bunkum. However, we alsohave a few concerns of our own.
Our constitutionally protected freedom of speech allows us to voice our opinions even if they are unpopular. To this end, Dr. Finkelstein did nothing wrong when decrying Israel’s bellicose actions against unarmed Palestinian civilians. However, given his track record as an upstanding, law-abiding, taxpaying American citizen of moral rectitude, the matter of security appears to be a pretext for castigating Americans who criticize Israel‘s policies which it holds so dear.
ManyAmerican taxpayers unwillingly yet obligatorily fund Israel’s prodigious war coffers, and the sophisticated security detail necessitated by visits from its government officials. Despite the protests they ignite, the controversy generated, and the legitimate security concerns these visits demand, Netanyahu, Sharon and a host of other polemical guests have not been banned from the U.S. They are free to come and go as they please. How hypocritical, then, that Israel would refuse entry to a taxpaying American for the very reason—security—that we are required to fatten their war chest.
In light of the above, we, collectively and cohesively, invoke your personal intervention to reject the preposterous decision made by the Israeli Shin Bet to deny entry to Dr. Finkelstein. As well, where Americans are concerned, disallow the undemocratic practice that security, real or feigned, is subject to the capricious, meritless whims of a purportedly democratic Israeli State.
The U.S. government—by means of our passport—asks all international countries to “…permit the citizen / national of the United States named herein to pass without delay or hindrance and in case of need to give all lawful aid and protection.” This includes Israel. Thank you.
Signed AMERICANS AND INTERNATIONALS IN SUPPORT OF DR. NORMAN G. FINKELSTEIN
Updates
July 30, 2013
I am looking through the stories people are sharing here and I am honestly overwhelmed by the depth of your personal experiences. This is not about me or my original idea anymore because you have all taken this and turned it into a project that truly belongs to everyone.
July 30, 2013
I am truly overwhelmed by the momentum this has gained lately and I never imagined so many people would care about this cause. This progress belongs entirely to you because I am just the person who started the page. Thank you for proving that the demand for fairness is much stronger than I ever anticipated.
3 Comments
Dr. Norman Finkelstein is a precious human being. The 10-year ban clearly shows that something is rotten in the state of Israel. If the US officials don't stick up for him then the same is true of the USA.
Norman is a hero for speaking truth to power. Israel is just trying to silence anyone who exposes their war crimes. This is pathetic and disgraceful.
FREE NORMAN! Why does our govt let them push us around like this. Its time to stop funding this garbage and let the man travel.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
Dr. Norman Finkelstein is a precious human being. The 10-year ban clearly shows that something is rotten in the state of Israel. If the US officials don't stick up for him then the same is true of the USA.