Blogger who smeared Berlin teacher hero-worships Israeli war criminal
By Adri Nieuwhof, Electronic Intifada, 26
January 2017. A Berlin-based
teacher is being pilloried for daring to speak the truth. The Jerusalem Post recently quoted an accusation that the academic
Eleonora Roldán Mendívil was an anti-Semite. The newspaper failed, however, to
provide any evidence that would support that claim – made by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a pro-Israel
group.
January 2017. A Berlin-based
teacher is being pilloried for daring to speak the truth. The Jerusalem Post recently quoted an accusation that the academic
Eleonora Roldán Mendívil was an anti-Semite. The newspaper failed, however, to
provide any evidence that would support that claim – made by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a pro-Israel
group.
Instead, The Jerusalem Post referred
to how Roldán Mendívil had described Israel as a “colonial state” and appeared
in a rap video, singing “no peace with the occupation regime.” She had also
signed a petition against Israel’s 2014 attack on Gaza, it was reported.
to how Roldán Mendívil had described Israel as a “colonial state” and appeared
in a rap video, singing “no peace with the occupation regime.” She had also
signed a petition against Israel’s 2014 attack on Gaza, it was reported.
Although the smears against her were baseless, they
did have an impact. Berlin’s Free University (FU) hasannounced that it has opened an
investigation into Roldán Mendívil.
did have an impact. Berlin’s Free University (FU) hasannounced that it has opened an
investigation into Roldán Mendívil.
The announcement was made without Roldán Mendívil
being given any prior notice, she has confirmed. Roldán Mendívil teaches a
course on “racism in capitalism” at the university.
being given any prior notice, she has confirmed. Roldán Mendívil teaches a
course on “racism in capitalism” at the university.
The smear campaign against her appears to have been
initiated by Andreas Boas, a blogger also known as Andreas Boldt.
initiated by Andreas Boas, a blogger also known as Andreas Boldt.
He posted an attack on Roldán Mendívil
last month. The smears in that post were soon recycled on Facebook by a group
calling itself Against Every Form of Anti-Semitism at FU Berlin.
last month. The smears in that post were soon recycled on Facebook by a group
calling itself Against Every Form of Anti-Semitism at FU Berlin.
“Alternative facts”
Boas is a known admirer of Israeli war criminals.
In 2015, Boas uploaded a
video of him accompanied by Doron
Almog, a retired Israeli major general, to YouTube. Almog commanded
Israeli troops in Gaza during the first few years of this century.
video of him accompanied by Doron
Almog, a retired Israeli major general, to YouTube. Almog commanded
Israeli troops in Gaza during the first few years of this century.
A British court issued a warrant for Almog’s arrest
during 2005 over his role in the demolition of almost 60 houses in Gaza three
years earlier. Almog has so far evaded justice.
during 2005 over his role in the demolition of almost 60 houses in Gaza three
years earlier. Almog has so far evaded justice.
In his video (see above), Boas tells Almog “the
biggest dream in my life was to meet you.” Boas also praises Almog as a hero.
biggest dream in my life was to meet you.” Boas also praises Almog as a hero.
The media coverage about Roldán Mendívil has been
riddled with inaccuracies.
riddled with inaccuracies.
The aforementioned Jerusalem Post article
reported that she had been suspended from FU Berlin.
reported that she had been suspended from FU Berlin.
I contacted the university, seeking clarification.
An FU spokesperson told me it was “a real pity” that The Jerusalem Post published
something which was “absolutely wrong.”
An FU spokesperson told me it was “a real pity” that The Jerusalem Post published
something which was “absolutely wrong.”
The university has not cancelled Roldán Mendívil’s
assignment to teach her course.
assignment to teach her course.
On his Twitter account, Boas says that
“only facts matter.” Yet his own postings on the Internet demonstrate a
commitment to what Kellyanne Conway – counselor to new US President Donald Trump – last weekend described as
“alternative facts.”
“only facts matter.” Yet his own postings on the Internet demonstrate a
commitment to what Kellyanne Conway – counselor to new US President Donald Trump – last weekend described as
“alternative facts.”
Most ordinary people have a simpler term for
“alternative facts.” We call them lies.
“alternative facts.” We call them lies.
The tactic of deliberately spreading lies is not
new.
new.
I learned about that tactic a few decades ago when
I was active in the Holland Committee on Southern Africa.
I was active in the Holland Committee on Southern Africa.
John Stockwell, who worked as a CIA commander in
Angola during the 1970s, has admitted to
making up stories and feeding them to the mainstream press. Some of these
stories were reported by the press agency Reuters and found their way onto the
pages of British publications such as The Times and The
Guardian. The intention, Stockwell has acknowledged, was to fabricate
“Russian-Cuban aggression” in southern Africa.
Angola during the 1970s, has admitted to
making up stories and feeding them to the mainstream press. Some of these
stories were reported by the press agency Reuters and found their way onto the
pages of British publications such as The Times and The
Guardian. The intention, Stockwell has acknowledged, was to fabricate
“Russian-Cuban aggression” in southern Africa.
The smears against Roldán Mendívil remind me of the
CIA’s techniques in Angola.
CIA’s techniques in Angola.
Her denunciation of Israel as a “colonial state” is
100 percent truthful. “Colonial” is an appropriate term to use, considering the
continuous expansion of Israel’s settlements in occupied East
Jerusalem and elsewhere in the West Bank.
100 percent truthful. “Colonial” is an appropriate term to use, considering the
continuous expansion of Israel’s settlements in occupied East
Jerusalem and elsewhere in the West Bank.
Pro-Israel apologists like Andreas Boas often find
it hard to handle the truth. For them, it is much easier to try and silence
Israel’s critics with false allegations.
it hard to handle the truth. For them, it is much easier to try and silence
Israel’s critics with false allegations.
