Report: Nobel laureate cancels U.K. trip over 'widespread anti-Israel, anti-Semitic current'

Einstein was not only concerned for the rights of Jews in Israel - he was also concerned with the rights of Palestinians within the governed territory (as sanctioned at the time). Many people conveniently forget that - because they want to associate him with Zionism. In truth he was a committed humanitarian who WAS concerned with a homeland for the Jews. But he was far more educated and tolerant in his responses than is a moron like Weinberg.

Inrajaya, If it is moral blindness to reject 40 years of occupation then why the muslims -you had rejected the 2000 years of occupation of Israel? What is the name of this muslim blindness. 2000 years Jews had recited to come back every year to Jerusalem. We return back to once what had belonged us . Aby

Kol hakavod!!!

No matter how brilliant people may be in one of the sciences, they too can suffer from a kind of ad hoc stupidity on political and moral issues. To attribute opposition to Israel's wretched policies to anti-Semitism is an example. Many Jews like myself who are disgusted by the racism underlying Israeli policies can hardly be accused of anti-semitism (or "sefl-hatred")--we are just good Jews who do not let devotion to Israel override our committment to social justice.

"Never forget my dear that al aqsa was built on top of the temple, not the opposite:" So what! What is there now stands. And under international law does stand. Stop living in the past. Accept facts on the ground.

A Texas, Wyoming Cowboy??? To say this of an alumnus of the "Bronx High School of Science" (1950) is incorrect to say the least. You know the "Bronx", it is the only Borough of New York City connected to the American maninland. Please be careful about whom you call a "Texas Cowboy". Thank you! Jehiel Chaleff (Bronx Science '56)

Danite hello Tossy' came and disapeared leaving us with the LATIN WORD OF:KYRIE ELEISON! Sayind to be continued.Thinks we do not know the meaning of the said WORD!Should he have continued by saying:CHRISTE ELEISON?Which derives from the Western Catholic liturgy. Funny ha!He does go everywhere and plagiarizes as much as he can. Now then Danite,are you going to enlighten us further on how to obtain this book? I went and put the name and title,but without success.Not recognized,and no access available under that name unfortunately. Common Danite,get going and tells us more!Cannot wait to see and read it. Waiting impatiently...

Assumption.Wrong there Pssd Off American. Just read my post explaining his "oeuvre" Make it plural,you will find that he has not retired and continues with his admirable work.Submitting more work in a most brilliant way. I will make it brief and say thus: LIKE A GOOD WINE HE IMPROVES WITH AGE! Furthermore,would you apply the same criteria to Einstein who continued to work into a ripe old age?No of course not, you are just trying to be somewhat offensive.Hard luck whoever you are.

"IF I AM NOT FOR MYSELF THEN WHO WILL BE FOR ME? IF I AM ONLY FOR MYSELF THEN WHAT AM I"? G-D BLEES THIS MAN WITH A CONSCIENCE!

I am not surprised at all. Just because we all have passionate and very strong emotions to the issues this Palestinian/Israeli conflict stirs up doesn't mean we all DO share some common ideas. I would bet half of us aren't near as vicious and bull headed in person either! LOL...it seems like sometimes we have to try so hard to fit everything we mean, all we are saying into the words we type..there is no body language or any other distraction for that matter and our words literally pack a real punch....

Ben Professor Weinberg has made my day and with the approaching of our "Shabat" this weekend. His great inspiration flowing through me,and to others here who appreciate this man's valour and sincere honesty he bestowed upon us. I can truthfully say:"I AM ON CLOUD NINE" Bravo and thank You Professor Weinberg.

No it didn't. ONE SCHOOL thought it may be best to drop it. ONE SCHOOL in thousands. A decision which was widely condemned by the education authorities and the general public. But hey let's not let an outright lie get in the way of an argument on Ha'aretz.

No, I only said that it is first and upmost the job of Israels politicians to convince the "neutrals" of Israels just political cause. And by the way, as I wrote in my post, I didn't support the boycott by the British Academics. I do not buy goods coming from the occupied territories, but this boycott is clearly going too far for my taste.

too avoid angering the parents of Muslim kids in their schools, Is their any other explanation than anti semitism? Please Post and reply.

hence no suprise we think they anti-semites let me quote a British academic"this conflict is one sided" and on the otherhand Britain had the highest anti semitic incidents in the world last year (JEWS) getting attacked and abused, so if you idiots can blame Judaism for Israel why should Jews stop short to condemn criticism of Israel as anti semitism?DOUBLE STANDARDS

If the West Bank is really a 'war zone' as you claim then why is the Israeli government continuing to expand settlements and placing civilians in danger? Hardly the actions of a government caught up in war would you say? Could it be that the real name of the game is 'colonisation'. This 'war zone' label is a convenient label to obscure the truth of what is going on in these parts. You and Prof Weinberg seem wilfullly ignorant on this fundamental point. Far easier to attack British academics and journalists than face the reality of Israel's action with some genuine moral integrity.

I detect a man of integrity who is making a difference. The visceral hatred of everything Jewish or Israeli evident in the proposed boycotts by a very small minority of British academics and journalists is shown for what it is by a man of genuine strength and courage. Thank you.

SG, good timing of yours, I just got on-line. Yes, unfortunately you are correct, there most probably are 10-15 % of people who will always have aversions against the Jewish people and Israel, and it will be hard to change their opinion. But I am convinced the vast majority of the population worldwide is wishing Israel (and the Palestinians) only the best. After the horrors the Jewish people had to go through during WW2, how could one not wish Israel well...???? But how can we keep trust in Israels honesty, if Israeli politicians are declaring again and again that they support a viable Palestinian state, but non the less are keeping on expanding the settlements all over the West Bank...??? Or take the use of lethal force against stone- throwing children: It doesn't only look extremly ugly, it also plays totally into the hands of Jew/Israel haters all over the world. Believe me, a few small steps could have a tremendous impact on world opinion.

Professor Weinberg, you have made my day and even my weekend! The day aftr a festival like Shavuos is usually a fall from Heaven back into the rut of reality. You've kept me on Cloud 9 a day longer!

You write a lot about stolen land. Only you should never forget that the arabs occupy 99% of the middle east, that this land was conquered by force in the 7th century...:)So who's the thief?

Bravissimo!!! The L-rd bless you and protect you. You have shown how one individual can count. You are a true Independent Jewish Voice!

What planet is Briton on? Quote "nobody has the courage here to own up to the fact iraq is a BRITISH AND AMERICAN mess (like most of the messes in the region). instead they`d rather blame israel". You obviouly don't read the newspapers, listen to the radio or watch TV programmes such as Question Time. If you did you would read, hear and see endless crticism from journalists and all other sections of society of Britain's role in creating the mess in Iraq. It is simply untrue to say that all this is blamed on Israel. Really. you must be living in a hermetically sealed bubble and / or have a huge chip on your shoulder about criticism of Israel (by and large entirely justified on the grounds of the flagrant and systematic abuse of human rights from a self-declared 'democracy')

They just make a lot of noise where it suits their selectivre morality.

I am against boycotts in academia and in journalism, which are there to provide knowledge not to turn their backs on the sources of it. The professor himself says he is not pro-boycott, he just didn't feel like being the guest of people who are. I can empathise with that.

"occupation, occupation, occupation" - I can't stand this complaining any longer. Since almost two years there's no more occupation of the Gaza Strip - and look, what these Palesinian guys are doing. Instead of building up the land, they fight each other and Israel in additional. Stop your complaining and lamenting and start doing something for PEACE!!!

Dear lady - have you done any serious reading about Lebanon? What about gender apartheid? That would include a slew of states - seriously cramp people's style, yes? Of course there is economic apartheid, soft racism, religious oppression - Please.

Why the spurious comparisons between life in a warzone, otherwise known as "the West Bank" - and life in London? You really think the circumstances are similar? If so I seriously doubt you're writing from Israel.

You ask why it's primarily Jewish people who support Israel, and ask why this is so. Surely, sir, you jest. Haven't the past 2,000 years of history taught you anything? Who has cared for the Jewish people except the Jewish people? I read today that a synagogue was torched in Switzerland. I know you're a bright person. Please sit down and think through this for a moment and ask yourself why people hate Jews and why that's our fault? Does it occur to you that most of the problems of the Jewish state stem from the same problems as those suffered by the Jewish people - a lack of acceptance of our very existence?

Weinberg is not just another scientist, but rather one of the major scientific figures in the world today. His action will hopefully be a real warning to those British academics who have been, as Weinberg said, anti- Semitic in their boycotting Israel. Weinberg's statement itself is a strong and true one. The British academics' hypocrisy and stupidity in supporting the wave of the benighted against a democratic Israel should be apparent to each and every reasonable person. Let us hope that there will be more of these in the British academic community in the days and months ahead.

I wish more people had this man's courage. The bigotry implicit in the British boycott and in so much of their media is truly appalling, fit more for the 1930's than the 21st century. Have we learned NOTHING from all the travails of the 20th?

Thank you, Professor. I hope that others (Jews and non-Jews) from around the world follow your lead!

...a moral blindness for which it is hard to find any explanation other than anti-Semitism... A moral blindness? To reject 40 years occupation on other people lands is a moral blindness? Like a thief accuses his victim a terrorist. Even a Nobel winner can help himself not to use a typical accusation of anti-semitism, amid he can't find other reasonable defend for Israel.

Yes, I also recommend two excellent books that accurately portray the rights of the people and provide a fact-based history: 1. The Bible, The First Testament 2. A Durable Peace, Israel and Its Place Among Nations by Benjamin Natanyahu These books provide a well-balanced picture.

Maureen Ann is irrational and completely paranoid about Israel.All her views about Israel are decided biased,baseless and hateful.Her posts lack substance.On the other hand,Peter SM's perception of Mugabe is very much erratic and reflective of the BBC misinformation and racistic campaign against Mugabe in particular and Zimbabwe as a country.In as much as BBC is biased against Israel,so they are against Mugabe and Zimbabwe,albeit for diffrent reasons.I have visited the magnificent tourist town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and daily life is pretty normal and the rule of law very much in effect.What i see in BBC news and SBS news (Australia) are footages about Mugabe that no African agrees with.The relationship between new South Africa and Mugabe is in order.It is Britain that is responsible for the mess in Zimbabwe not Mugabe.Mugabe has had his chance and failures and must go,however, the mess is British's racism against African Zimbabwe.Every British remembers the Lancaster Agrement.

I wonder whether you were conscious of what you said?Who in this war is neutral?I hope you and the Brtish Academics are the neutral players?Then neutrality means something else.

#61, signing as AM, asks of Weinberg, rather scornfully, "Who is he?" Along with S. Glashow, his Harvard colleague, Weinberg invented the standard methodology in particle physics, called "Quantum Field Theory", which enables mathematical models to take into account both quantum mechanics and relativistic field theory. This is a major intellectual accomplishment of the second half of the 20th century. It also allowed the detailed development of the "standard model" (the quark-gluon model) in particle physics and made numerous non-obvious predictions that have since been borne out by experiment, specifically, the existence of the six standard quarks from which hadrons like the proton and neutron are made. It is also the reason that all that hard work and serious money is being poured into the LHC particle accelerator at CERN on the French-Swiss border in order to confirm some further predictions of the standard model at hitherto unseen energies, e.g., the Higgs boson.

got to do with this? Maybe you want to expand then on the 'new" SA and its support of Mugabe.Most of the world did backdoor deals with the "old" SA for their resources.How convenient of you to overlook all that and come back to the same point always. You want to fantasise your side is all peace lovers who never hurt or opress anybody and only mean well to all?your prerogative.

This whole boycott nonsense makes me want to leave so why should it be a surprise that foreign academics would be reluctant to place themselves in such a poisonous environment? I don't see a future for myself here, let alone as an academic in such a hostile setting. All this merely serves to silence me when, beforehand, I was at the more critical end of the spectrum with regard to Israel's policies (happy about Oslo, certainly, and even theoretically attracted to the one-state solution if it could be envisioned and set up with adequate guarantees...that's how left I am inclined to be). But all this boycott craziness has made me look at this anew and I am certainly much more reluctant to share my criticism and these leftie views in such a hostile environment. The pro-boycott people are scoring a MASSIVE OWN GOAL with this and alienating their natural allies.

Thank you Dr Steven for your courage and protest. I hope they will lighten up and change this nonsense one sided boycotting Israelis only. You deserve one more price noble for pointing out anti-Semitism and fighting it.

.....and so what if he is an atheist ? He's got balls! and that is what matters !!! Henryk

community and not just in the West,do not accept your version of events.They are all too familiar with israel's treatment of the palestinians.if you are actually ignorant and not being bigoted I can recommend 2 books which are starters,after which you may proceed to more. 1.Jimmy Carter.Palestine,Peace,not Apartheid(this is a well written book by the former President of the U.S.A.). 2.Dr.Norman Finkeslstein 's Image and Reality of the Israel Palestine Conflict(this is an impeccable work of scholarship). Good luck.

How much more sensible you sound when not involved in that sweaty Dana/Eric thing making it a public menage a trois

'I doubt he is more intelligent than me actually.' You say, showing the depths of your ignorance. That's why he publishes scientific treatises and earns a Nobel Prize and you - oh you publish in Haaretz! (A Jewish newspaper)

Tosefta: "Gettting a Nobel Prize in Physics does not guarantee a good sense in politics and sociology." No it does not, not any more than your academic credentials guarantee your good sense. Weinberg is taking a stand only on the idea of various boycott proposals against Israel, including this year's proposed boycotts by journalists, and last year's by academics. Boycotts such as these, are repugnant. The fact that these boycotts are aimed exclusively against Israel, makes them even more repugnant. The fact that Weinberg is a Nobel receipient is relevant only because it allows him to have a platform. Your claim that Weinberg somehow owes the Nobel to the work of Professor Salam would have to be proven by you. It is the sort of cheap shot that you direct at people without blinking an eye.

This just goes to show that someone can be brilliant in physics and the opposite in political thinking. One would have expected Weinberg's not to fall into the elementary (if common) error of collapsing anti-Israel activity into anti-Semitism. . . what a pity that he cannot be equally astutue in all things!

Arabs lies are the enemy , Boycott arabs not the blameless jews , pals are the enemy , boycott pals not the blameless jewish settlers , the evacuees from Gush Katif are blameless

.. if you don't like Steven Weinberg, we've got other Jewish Nobel Laureates for you!

ballistic,i kind of like sharks,could you think of something way down,real low life?Thanks.Regards. Joe,appreciate all your posts.Einstein specifically turned down Chaim Weizmann's invitation to be the first President of the Zionist state,because he asked: What will happen to the Palestinians?

Steven Weinberg Steven Weinberg holds the Josey Regental Chair in Science at the University of Texas at Austin, where he is a member of the Physics and Astronomy Departments. His research on elementary particles and cosmology has been honored with numerous prizes and awards, including in 1979 the Nobel Prize in Physics and in 1991 the National Medal of Science. In 2004 he received the Benjamin Franklin Medal of the American Philosophical Society, with a citation that said he is "considered by many to be the preeminent theoretical physicist alive in the world today." He has been elected to the US National Academy of Sciences and Britain's Royal Society, as well as to the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is the author of over 300 articles on elementary particle physics. His books include Gravitation and Cosmology -- Principles and Applications of the General Theory of Relativity (1972); The First Three Minutes (1977); The Discovery of Subatomic Particles (1983, 2003); Elementary Particles and The Laws of Physics (with R.P. Feynman) (1987); Dreams of a Final Theory -- The Search for the Fundamental Laws of Nature (1993); a trilogy, The Quantum Theory of Fields (1995, 1996, 2000); Facing Up --- Science and its Cultural Adversaries (2002); and most recently Glory and Terror -- The Growing Nuclear Danger (2004). Articles of his on various subjects appear from time to time in The New York Review of Books. He has served as consultant at the U. S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, President of the Philosophical Society of Texas, and member of the Board of Editors of Daedalus magazine, the Council of Scholars of the Library of Congress, the JASON group of defense consultants, and many other boards and committees. Educated at Cornell, Copenhagen, and Princeton, he also holds honorary doctoral degrees from sixteen other universities, including Chicago, Columbia, McGill, Padua, Salamanca, and Yale. He taught at Columbia, Berkeley, M.I.T., and Harvard, where he was Higgins Professor of Physics, before coming to Texas in 1982. There are many other publications of his research available.

Einstein had a strong belief in Zionism. Einstein was drawn to the Zionist cause as a result of the influence of Chaim Weizmann, first President of Israel. Although Einstein disliked Zionism's nationalist aspect (he was against the idea of all nation states), he was interested in the establishment of Israel as a cultural center of Jewry. After witnessing the anti-Semitism of the European university system, Einstein was determined to create a place where Jews could gain an education unrestrained by prejudice. In 1921, Einstein accepted an invitation to participate in a fundraising tour in the United States for the Jewish Development Fund "Keren Ha-Yesod." He traveled with Weizmann and his wife and spoke passionately on behalf of Israel as a Jewish cultural center and the planned Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

When it used to allow Israel to adopt double standards. When it allows Israel to squawk "self defense" following provocative, supremacist, brutal, occupation activities (world wide media) which are causing destabilization in the M.E. and the growth of retaliation terrorist activities, that ultimately effect Israel's allies - Australia included!

Lakshmi, Einstein never did what you attribute to him. Einstein was not a politician; a great mind, a Zionist, a human being who deeply cared about his people. Please learn what the word "apartheid" means before making erroneous comments.

If you have a valid criticism of Professor Weinberg, then say so. Saying that he is a has been says nothing. If he were a nobody, you would not be so upset that he took this position. Just to let you know: I may not be famous, or a physicist, but I am a very good analytical thinker. I can easily tell when people have arguments that are internally flawed.

This was a heroic act against the continuing antisemitic aggression by the lefties of the lone Island of Britain !

nice one

Tosefta The your incredibly long epistles for it make us reluctant to continue after the first paragraph.And we just ignore after a short spell. It is quite a chore and very boring.You try and challenge us by your convoluted view points by trying to SCORE POINTS.And ultimately achive zero in definition. I think it would be a good idea to shorten them,and thus enable us to read your posts in a better light.Otherwise,one look at the first sentence and we peremtorily abandon it, for fear of bordum. Too devious and not bound to entertain or educate.

being.He was asked by Chaim Weizmann to be the first President of the Zionist state and he refused because he specifically asked: where will the Palestinians go ? This gentleman W.,on the other hand, is not in the same league as E.,both as a scientist and as a human being. He should have gone to UK and supported the boycott of the apartheid state.

Dear Mr. American, I thank you for bringing the present amusing post by Cipora to my attention. I tend to ignore her posts not addressed to me due to a lack of expectation on my part to find in them anything insightful and instead, to find signs of non-comprehension of even the simplest point one can make. You have already noted the untenable position she puts herself in, but attribute it to "hero worship". Not at all. Cipora is an apologist for Israel and the Jews, and she requires no arguments to support such a position. If Weinberg's action is positive in her mind, he will become a hero, but if an equally bright or brighter Jew will hold the opposite opinion, he will become an enemy of humanity. Let me just point out, by way of an example, the multiple errors Cipora typically makes in almost every post of hers. With regard to my comments She says in #134: "Tosefta, the "scientific" criticises Weinberger, the Nobel receipient, for taking a position on an academic boycott. The hypocrisy of this man knows no bounds, nor does his megalomania." 1. Weinberg explained his boycott as a response to JOURNALISTS boycott, not academics. I claimed it did not make sense. With all this, Cipora still could not differentiate between the real cause and her apologetic defense. 2. I am actually a scientist (in a field that does not get dedicated Nobel prizes). But suppose Weinberg has greater authority in his field than I do. Why is it impermissible to disagree with him in the field of social affairs? Silly apologetics. 3. How does disagreeing with Weinberg make me a hypocrite? (The megalomania part should be in point #2.) I gave up on seeing anything sensible from Cipora a long time ago.

In 1921, Einstein accepted an invitation to participate in a fundraising tour in the United States for the Jewish Development Fund "Keren Ha-Yesod." After witnessing the anti-Semitism of the European university system, Einstein was determined to create a place where Jews could gain an education unrestrained by prejudice.

I did not know that following a religion made you any smarter? In those stats you plucked out of your backside,how many Nobel prize winners followed Christ???? How many of them pi**ed standing up,picked their nose with their left hand etc etc. Stupid analogy Cairn. Soon you will tell me that "Jews" are not only chosen but God gave them special powers,special intelligence,I can not stop laughing as I am typing this.

We can use the anti-Semitism card anytime we want to. So there! (What the hell are you talking about?

Deborah This is not the first time he has refused to attend and for good reason for as a good Jew. A wonderful man to be proud of,and KUDOS to him for standing up to those bullies. KOL HAKAVOD !!!

Lay off Cipora. There isn't a nicer person on this site. She never has a mean word to say about anybody. Incidentally, what does it matter if we don't know anything about Physics? We agree with what this man is doing.

Solemnman, there is a big difference between the fate of the Jewish people during WW2 and the state of Israel today. The Jews during WW2 were nothing but TOTALLY innocent victims. Israel today is victim and perpetrator at the same time. And the longer the occupation of the West Bank will go on without Israel presen- ting an own initiative for peace, the more she will be seen as mainly perpetrator and I am afraid, rightly so. It is (only) in Israels hands to change that perception. I can assure you, lots of people are just waiting to become convinced of Israels good intentions, but the longer it takes, the stronger the mistrust. Mistrust is not only a problem of the genes, one can also earn it in life. And I would say that Israels political establishment has definitely missed no opportunity to miss an opportunity to disperse it, at least over the past 6 years....

finally someone stand up against those stupid "intelectuals" !!! KOL HAKAVOD!!!!

So why are all people who oppose the zionists ideology a terrorist.I remember hearing the stories of brave chiefs who fought to keep people like you from destroying our past and our way of life.They viewed you as an evil crazed ideologist.Was it wrong for them to see you in this light.

Who was the great supporter of apartheid South Africa? AND supplied nuclear information. 'Goodie two shoes' (one foot in the M.E. the other in the U.S.A.) little Israel!

I was hoping that Danite the Jewish Apologist will accept the fact of Jewish separateness, something every last Jew knows about, and stop denying it and chase me with foolish arguments. No luck. So in this Part I will recount a couple of his further "arguments". They mostly have to do with the reliability of sources. First, some background. Already Hecataeus of Abdera (3-4th cent. BC, beginning of Hellenistic era), noted that Jews are "somewhat unsocial and hostile to foreigners". Fully blown anti-Semitism is known to have existed at the time of Antiochus IV persecution which precipitated the Hasmonean rebellion. The book of Esther is believed to have been written at that time, and based on the Jewish perception for the cause of their troubles. Now to Danite`s complaints: 1. "What are the charges some Hellenistic writters make against the Jews? That they are anti religious and blaspemous( because they worship an unseen god) that they are lazy and decadent( because they legislate one day in seven for rest). . By your logic we would have to accept their understandings as the fianl word on the subject." - Danite OK, the Hellenists did not understand the purpose of Jewish customs. But did they fail to observe their impact: SEPARATISM? The Jews were separate and wanted to keep it that way. Who would miss this? 2. "The Hellenistic writers you refer wrote hundreds of years BEFORE the Talmud, so how could they have noticed it??" - Danite Actually, my precise words were "Danite the Apologist refuses to accept the evidence from the TALMUD which LEGISLATES separatism (in Part II; thru wine prohibition). Imagine, the Hellenists should not have noticed it". The IT refers to "separatism", which existed even before the Hellenists, not to the Talmud. Had the Hellenists noticed a Jewish book they would still not have been able to read it. You have to be extremely careful when you deal with a comprehension-challenged brain. One less than crystal clear formulation and the poor brain gets out of whack. But my question still stands: If you know about Talmudic legislation of separateness, why do you question it (I mean, separateness)? I am at a loss for words. Are we dealing with an impaired brain here or is it just a lack of practice to pay attention to details? Dear reader, do you have any idea for me as to what to do? Thanks a gallon.

swimming with the sharks today, no matter. To repel a shark, take your fist and pound on their nose and they will back off. Enjoy your posts. Don't let em get to you. High regards. Ballistic.

is our Hannah. Nope, she wouldn't misspell anything and it doesn't look like her syntax. Of course, there are many Hannahs in the world, but this is not our usual witty Hannah, so it must be another.

Post #161 is by a Fake, in this case Danite aka Dumbite.

Joe Yes,could it be you are suffering from SOUR GRAPES? As you have yet to prove anything you have said here,or that any of your compatriots have ever achieved anything worthy as this man.It seenms to me you do tend to repeat yourself by mouthing Americanism like "goung hog day".You have said it on several occasions,overtime. I think you must have studied in the U.S to enable you to study and write reasonably well. You assume that Einstein refused to accept the honor of becoming the President of Israel. Although this may be true,it behoves you to ponder why he may(if you are right)that as scientist he was not inclined to accept and had many more important work in the pipe line at the time,seeing it was at a very crucial period when the U.S had much need for his services. Cynical to the core Joe aren't you.Jealousy will get you nowhere sorry. Professor Weinberg is a good Jew no matter how you view his motives....

Well done! I'm glad this distinguished professor has held up a mirror to illuminate the anti-semetic mindset of those who ally themselves with suicide bombers while singly criticizing Israel for responding to terrorism. Perhaps a suicide bomber from Gaza can be flown in to take his place at the university. It wouldn't be the first time a would be suicide bomber has been welcomed in the UK. One was honored as a speaker at the recent Islamic conference in Manchester.

i can only applaud mr. weinberg on his decision, since i happen to agree with his assessment of what has unfortunately come to pass in the united kingdom. he has made a statement and that statement is: "the emperor has no clothes."

In one post, you chide Tosefta for daring to criticize (the nerve!) the opinions of a Nobel Laureate. In another post, you attack those who make statements that diminish Professor Weinberg without addressing his "arguments". Cipora, your slavish hero worship opens the door to ad hominem attacks. If you assert that his academic stature puts all of his opinions beyond reproach, then you invite attacks on whether he is deserving of that stature. In debating the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Nobel Prize in Physics is an irrelevant credential. There is a tremendous hubris among physicists who think that their analytical skills make them worth listening to on any given topic. Often, they are either not fully informed, they lack a relevant skill set, or their reasoning is compromised by emotions or assumptions they have not yet fully examined. I also doubt that you know anything about what Weinberg has actually accomplished. You don't even have his name right.

Any form of counter boycott of the UK would just be hypocritical. If you don't believe in boycotts of this nature, then the only way to fight them morally is to promote diologue, promote Israel and show these boycotters up for the ignorant idiots that they are. If you boycott the UK because of a few moron journalists who have deadend jobs in tiny local newspapers, then you're no better than them.

Why don't you put out the posts?

Go tell it on the mountain ....

Judaism is not just a religion.. the Jewish people are that a people.. among us there are ortodox, secular traditionalists and atheists ( including myself).. we have a common past, traditions, etc etc and a sense of shared destiny and that makes us a people. There in sno contradiction between beeing atheist, and beeing jewish and zionist... Your ignorance is appaling.. maybe if you Pals spend more time getting an education you would have your share of atheists and even who knows a de3cent society by now.

AM You see we have so many of them it is hard to keep count,with such brilliant men,and some women as well,of the same calibre as this professor you dare say:Never hear of him. Could it be,SOUR GRAPES old chap?I'll bet you it is. SO EAT YOUR HEART OUT

In case anybody is interested 37% of winners of the U.S. National Medal of Science have been Jews as well as 27% of Kyoto Prize Winners.Jews have made a far greater contribution to the advancement of our civilzation than any other ethnic/religious group which is something that English academics should consider before imposing stupid boycotts.

Jackie, no, I haven't read the whole book, but I have read parts of it on the internet. And while there surely seem to be some flaws in it, I think overall it would be a good thing, if it could serve as a starting point for an open discussion about the roots of the ME conflict in the U.S. I think both Israel and the Jewish community in the U.S. could easily afford a (self-) critical debate with regard to some of Israels political strategies over the past years. Apart from her military power, the fact that Israel is the leading force in the ME when it comes to freedom of speech, freedom of press, womens rights etc. should give her the moral strength to take more risks and initiatives when it comes to develop new strategies in order to finally end the conflict with her neighbours.

Yuriy Whether he is an atheist or not matters not. He is doing a sterling job by refusing to attend the ceremony.A true Jew.Nevermind his beliefs,we have many in Israel who are secular, atheists,rightists,leftist or whatever.But they love their country,and put their life on the line to protect and defend it.So,what's the the problem Yuriy? The fact remains the fundemental honesty and his true love for Israel and adherence to his principles.I say thank you and BRAVO professor Weinberg!I congratulate you for your constancy. Atheist or not Yuriy who the hell cares. I am a very secular Jew But!an ardent patriot of our country ISRAEL!!! End

I don't suppose there is much danger of a boycott by Muslim Nobel Prize Winners. You can count them on one hand. Between 1901-2006 there were 173 Jewish recipients which was 23% of the total number whereas Jews made up only 0.25% of the world's population. Need I say more?

Is U.K giving in to radicals? SHAME. SHAME. I am afraid all free and democratic Europian contries and the world going to follow to become hostage of radical islams. We need more acadamic people with guts to stand for unjustice.

What ever Israel does there will be always people blaming it while any other country or group commit real crimes 10 times worse than " so call Israeli crimes " and you will get total silence and no condemnation from same people , because terrorist supporting blind elite is conditing us. But real problem is the barbarian palistinians that is why they are not welcomed in Arab countries unless they are in small numbers like in Egypt or Gulf countries but constantly under the watchfull eyes of Moukhabarat ( secret police ).Sure they are welcomed in syria ( but that is to be used as a terror tool against enemies of syria). In Lebanon and Tunisia they are kept in isolated camps but they are still trouble just see what is happing in Tripoli this week. In 1970 when palistians started creating problems in Jordan ( that happpens to be 60 percent palistian origin ), the King started killing them in thousands , but of course no body blamed Jordan cause only Jews are scrutinized and blamed .

Newton and darwing would be turning in their garves.. if the saw what happened to the British Education.. Thes punks are really something.. some even say that the scientific method started in Britain.. they probably never heard of a man called Galileo!! So it is no surprise they never heard of Steven Weimberg so for your information British Intellectuals: He together with some colleagues is the creator of the Standard model of Particle physics.. the way we can understand all kowm particles and ther intereactions ( except gravitation, which we owe to Einstein, another Jewish physicist).. that is all whet makes all the things we know .. neutrons protons electrons etc etc the atoms a of all the chemical elements.. so now you know.. you can than another Jewish physicist for this.. As a Jew and as a Physicist I am filled with pride of people like Wimberg Einstein, and hundreds more ( go look at the list of all Nobel price winners and see how many are Jews..)

weinberg does what should be done. it is a wise and brave signal to the world. great guy! but, helas, who takes notice of this fine deed?

I doubt he is more intelligent than me actually. I would have seen non-attendance for what it is. Support for the boycott. All Wienberger has done is make the boycott happen. He hasn't stopped it, he has enabled it. Which is quite funny really. Personally I think it is because Stephen Hawkin is about to make Wienbergers work obselete.

Please tell us about your revelation that "Jews controlled even israel, they even replaced my parents with Jews, yes!, I came to see they were everywhere"(From My Struggle, Chapter'The Artist in Vienna and me" By Krankinkopf Frankenfurter Neturei Karta press 1975 "Yaakov Sullivan Editor)

If Wienberger wants to uphold the boycott that is his choice. His status has nothing to do with it, he has fallen into the trap set for him aand others by those who wish to have the boycott. It just makes it easier for them that he does their dirty work for them. By the way I am against the boycott they don't work.

I'd like to refer you to the internet sites:Arabs for Israel,Catholics for Israel ,and Evangelist Christian's inumerable sites for Israel.The implication in your little missive is that Israel deserves the opprobrium heaped upon it.That is an idea that didn't die in Auschvitz.It just mutated a little.

Psalm, as I mentioned, the distinguished professor explained the NUJ (journalists) boycott as motivated by anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism exists in many countries, including the US.One can wonder about the reasons, but this was not Weinberg's given reason, or he would be in trouble at home and need to boycott many campuses. P.S. I take it that the British journalists were motivated by Israel's treatment of the Palestinians. Incidentally, I expressed my view here of opposing boycotts by journalists since they ought to remain impartial and not confuse reporting with editorializing.

Dear Joe, your comments are highly enlightening, yet you made a little mistake I'd like to help you correct, if I may. You write"Occupied Palestine" as your place of residence. You should write: Judea and Samaria, occupied by the arabs in the 7th century. Never forget my dear that al aqsa was built on top of the temple, not the opposite:)

We should boycott U.K.

What the Jewish left doesnt understand is that the only the thing the general left sees about the jewish Left is the "Jewish".Thus Jewish leftists are caught , either they remain a proud Zionist jewish left or they turn into craven lapdogs begging for acceptance from vicious anti semites who disrespect them even more for their lack of backbone and begging behavior, dont you think? And I say this as one who overall supports the patriotic Zionist Left. Regards

I seriously doubt that he is gutless. I very seriously think that he knows what he is doing. Giving a speech is not always effective. His action speeks for itself, and he has explained himself in his letter which was made public. We are all talking about it--even those of us who are not living in the rarefied realms of theoretical physics. He has managed to embarass some important people, and he has gotten the attention of those who count.

Because thats the excuse you people are using without thinking. It was NOT. So what is your real reason.?NOT human rights eiither,because you could start closer to home like Indonesia or Malaysia say. So maybe your support for the boycott IS consistent with some of the articles you quote.

Golly day, that sun down there must be hot. Boycott the Arabs??!!! Gee, boycott oil? You are delusional. Money is money. US will pay lip service, however, they would not be involved in this tit for tat foolishness. Zionists know exactly why they are being boycotted in those instances where they are, and they should be as long as they claim democracy while occupying the land of another, which is exactly what has happened. Oh, I know the usual euphemisms zionists throw out; to whit, we lived there blah, blah, antisemitism, this and that. However, the bottom line is the bottom line which is occupation. Regards.

The current fashion amongst the apologists for terrorism who do not think for themselves.

I wish to apologise once again for disturbing you all with my anti semitic and cowardly views.Like I said yesterday I can help it if I am a troubled person,I know I am deeply complexed and problematic , I apologise for my arrogant and silly views.Thank you for your understanding.

Speaking as one who is familiar with some of the views expressed on campuses here in London, for example, I agree with the Prof. There is growing anti-semitism and the Left, aided by the Jewish Left seem unconcerned or blind to it.

Indeed krankinkopf has all the attributes of the typical mediocre academic and coward.This Man reminds him of the man he will never be.Regards

It's time for supporters of Israel to boycott English products

I remember an editorial in the times of India when Sharon was visiting the country. The journalist was reflecting on India's past support of arab/muslim countries unable to produce a safety pin, and the present friendship with a country( Israel) at the forefront of science and technology." America is the only country with more companies listed on the NASDAQ than Israel. Israel has more university degrees per capita, more scientists per capita and more scientific papers per capita than any other nation in the world. So let them boycott, at their own expense

May many more follow in these steps. Living in London and frequenting campuses, I am of the view that the American Prof. has spoken a glaring truth. Bravo!

He is missing nothing. You are missing everything.

When Darfur is not mentioned, when Congo is not mentioned, when Tibet is not mentioned, when Iran is not mentioned, when Cuba is not mentioned, when Zimbabwe is not mentioned - I feel free to call it anti-Semitism, you Jew-hating twit.

I too am against the BNUJ boycott of Israeli products. It is just plain stupid. Weinberg proves that you can earn a Nobel and still be an idiot! His boycott of a whole nation to show his disapproval. Where is the logic in this? What a nutter!

Like resistance? people fighting back for their homes, their work? their LIFE? stuff like that? ith your 'clear understanding' i am surprised you are eventroubling yourself with comment on this situation, since..well, you know....STUFF happens..... But you really meant to say was this huh? israel belongs to we the jews! Shut up or ship out, we do not CARE about YOUR misery or loss...it is about me, me me. Glad you see you undrstand war though! LOL...

Prof. Weinberg is an atheist. In the eyes of the ultra-orthodox, is he still a Jew? PS: If you want to see him roll his eyes, ask him about string theory.

Thus far, and not surprisingly, all criticisms of Professor Weinberg have been personal attacks: he is an idiot, he lacks common sense, he is past his prime, etc....When criticising someone of Weinberg's obvious stature, people should find a way to criticise his position on the matter. Making assertions does not qualify as argument.

Stand up and tell them face to face instead of this silly game.

"So your "arguments" could only be used by gullible simpletons and crypto antisemites." - Absolute Sweden What were my "arguments"? Did I advocate anything? Do you see any relation between what I said and your story about Oxford? Do they teach in Sweden how to think or having dumb blond hair they gave up on you?

This clown Weinberg is one BIG hypocrit. He says this about religion:" Religion is an insult to human dignity. Without it you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion." Yet he supports the religious based state of Israel? What a moron and a hypocrit. His support for Israel is well known and he is a hardcore zionists all the way AGAINST HIS OWN REASON AND RATIONAL. What do you call that - blind support? Here is the good news, the vast majority of Nobel Laureates are critical of Israel and many of the Jewish nobel laureates ARE ANTI-ZIONISTS and that includes Einstein. Einstein turned down the offer of being President of Israel:" should much rather see reasonable agreement with the Arabs on the basis of living together in peace than the creation of a Jewish state. Apart from the practical considerations, my awareness of the essential nature of Judaism resists the idea of a Jewish state with borders, an army, and a measure of temporal power no matter how modest. I am afraid of the inner damage Judaism will sustain -- especially from the development of a narrow nationalism within our own ranks, against which we have already had to fight without a Jewish state

He's probably slightly more intelligent than you are, though a Jew. I do agree that his name should be one that conforms to your prejudices. His nose isn't hooked enough either, is it?

Your words: "those who want the boycott have won. Don`t you see it.". No I don't. On the contrary.

I hope this is just the beginning, and that more Jewish and non-Jewish scholars decide to respond to UK boycotters. With all the anger against France, people don't realize that the UK is far worse in terms of the shrill anti-Israel rhetoric in its media and academia. Those people have a crazy streak of hateful, extremist politics in their culture.

Just as Albert Einstein denounced the rise of the Nazis in the 1930s, so Steven Weinberg now denounces rising British leftist and Islamic anti-Semitism. All honor to you, professor. Like Einstein, you are truly a great man morally as well as intellectually.

Israel is a democratic country, isn't it? If so, anti-Semitism can no longer be used to hide human injustice. Israel cannot expect to have it's cake and eat it too!

Firstly, I am not in favour of the proposed boycott by UK universities - the latest proposal still has to be voted on, correct(?) - or the call for a boycott of Israeli produce by the NUJ. Secondly, Professor Weinburg has the right to choose whether he wishes to attend a particular event or not. Exercising that right does not make him a hero. Having said that, how does his decision benefit Israel? By chosing not to go, in protest against a decision by the National Union of Journalists, he has lost an opportunity to make a persuasive argument to university staff as to why they should vote against the proposed academic boycott of some Israeli universities. Surely, this is an opportunity missed rather than a telling point scored?

Anyone with a straight face that it is less than 80% of Israeli science that stems out of military? No specific program in the Israeli gov't with a "CTO-like" person at its head to funnel Israeli military intelligence into Israeli start-ups for civilian uses? It is more blatant than the US DARPA, and much more than any military funding in EU universities. Shouldn't the US, USSR, France, ... have banned researchers from Nazi Germany after WWII because of their past mentors? Did the V2s assembled with concentration camps workers help create the jets and get us to the moon? Should Einstein be respected or vilified for having so much helped create the Atomic bombs that killed 100s of thousand Japanese civilians? Truth is that science is often blind to the blood on the hand that feeds it. It is the virtue of money to wash and transform the violence it was extracted from into energy. For the good, the bad, and the very ugly. Scientists are left with their conscience. Some live by it.

I am a jewish academic in london. If the academic boycott resolution is passed next week, next time i am invited to a conference here in the UK I will have to tell the organisers that I am a supporter of the state of israel its right to defend itself and and ask whether I am still welcome.

Criticism of Israel is not anti-semitic.....it IS anti-semitic when Israel is the only country you criticize! You have to be mad to not acknowledge the fact that arab countries are far more oppressive and have much more blood on their hands. If Israel was such a horrible country and wanted to get rid of the Palestinians, they would have for they have the power to do so...but Israel doesn't because we still think we can eventually live in peace with Arabs. Unfortunately, the people who attack Israel unfairly will continue to do so. I ask everyone to remember the words of Joseph Goebbels: "Tell a lie enough times, and it becomes the truth." It's starting all over again...

This was such good news.

It saddens me to see that you oppose the boycott on purely practical grounds, namely, that most Israeli academics are sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. It is too bad that you do not see the larger, and more important issues of freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and of academic freedoms involved. Boycotting academics, in general, is repugnant and contrary to the most basic human rights. Singling out academics of one country, out of all, cannot be justified and smacks of McCarthyism and of Nazism. It is revolting beyond words.

I could not agree more. Tosefta, the "scientific" criticises Weinberger, the Nobel receipient, for taking a position on an academic boycott. The hypocrisy of this man knows no bounds, nor does his megalomania. By the way, this is the second year that Weinberger has canceled an event in the UK. Regards, Cipora

I applaud him for what he did!!!!!

Obviously you don't get it, and you can google all the facts you like. Weinberger not coming to the UK means that the boycott has begun, and it is Weinberger who is imposing it. I can't draw a diagram here but those who want the boycott have won. Don't you see it. Weinberger by not coming isn't going to change those who want the boycott. For them this is a victory. Weinberger obviously is an idiot, a highly educated idiot granted, but an idiot none the less.

I should not really respond to this but I have never heard so much tosh. End this debate and get on to something more serious like the occupation and a timetable for its ending. Nothing anti-semitic about that.

What did Weinberg ever do in GR? His major contributions were in particle physics, and he got the Nobel Prize for the electro-weak theory.

tell me, please: how do you define "apartheid"?

If the Arabs had accepted the UN partition in 1947, there would have been no war and no refugees. They just didn't get the fact that Israel has been the home to Jews for thousands of years -- continuously (in Jerusalem, Hebron, and elsewhere) -- and that Jews have a right to self-determination, just as Arabs do. You guys couldn't accept the division of the land, and the rest is history. Sure Palestinians were driven out by Jews, but this stuff happens in wars. Most left because the Arab leaders urged them to. (False stories disseminated by Arab media about massacres didn't help either). Jews have some responsibility in all this (no doubt), but mostly you have got yourselves to blame.

It has been decades since Weinberg was at the forefront of high-energy theoretical physics. Nowadays he is more of an elder statesman who makes perceptive observations about string theory from the sidelines. I heard him debate a couple of times and read a couple of his articles on peripheral topics like the philosophy and sociology of science as it relates to contemporary physics. He is still a fine physicist, but outside of this sphere he does not impress me that much. If he cannot attribute the boycott movement to anything other than anti-Semitism, he is either misinformed, in denial, or dishonest. He doesn't have to agree with the boycott, but to impugn the motives of the whole movement I think he is missing something.

Decisions have consequences. Jews and Israelis should re-consider traveling to the UK and should notify the British airlines, travel companies, and government tourist agencies that they have similiar concerns of anti-semitism and anti-Israel as do this Nobel laureate of principle. Jewish and Israeli academics should refuse to participate in events at UK universities.

Professor Weinberger is considered to be one of the towering figures in theoretical physics of our times. He has won numerous prizes, including the Nobel prize, and he was an Einstein lecturer. It is fitting that a man of his stature should stand up to those who would stiffle freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and academic freedoms. His act is that of a solitary individual. It is therefore all the more laudable. Those that would criticise him are nothing but specks of dust.

Weinberg would show genuine courage if he went to UK and told the NUJ why boycott would be wrong and why the continued oppression of Palestinians is a good thing.

This is a man who very clearly has what can only be described as "moral fibre". TO be so politically incorrect by supporting Isreal clearly shows that he is more concerened what what is right as opposed to pandering to the masses.

We are leading high-tech company in Canada, in Electronics,Photonics and Fiber Optic and we decided to ban all bussiness activities with the UK because of that UK trend. So no more contact with UK!! we also talking to several other companies to follow. I suggest others will follow so.

We can only hope so.

a wise man

Are you telling us to disregard antisemitism? You're rather mindless, you know, as well as pro Palestinian. The last time we ignored antisemitism on a large scale we were minus six million, but since these were only Jews it doesnt of course count for you.

The main allegation against Israel is that the settlements are illegal, and that Israel occupies "Palestinian Arab Land" (on both sides of the green line) and thus prevents "Palestinian Self-Determination". Since this allegation is not only false, but an inversion of the truth, since dense Jewish settlement in all of Western Palestine should be urgently encouraged according to international law, it is important to spread the fundamental document: http://www.mythsandfacts.com/Conflict/mandate_for_palestine/Mandate_for_Palestine.pdf Two related documents are: http://www.aijac.org.au/resources/reports/international_law.pdf http://www.melaniephillips.com/diary/ See in general: www.MythsandFacts.org

Sorry mate but Salk discovered Polio vaccine. It was Sir Alexander Fleming who is credited with discovering penicillin (although there is some dispute about that). Fleming to the best of my knowledge was not Jewish. Jews think like the Americans that they invented/ discovered everything. No body has a claim on anything it all belongs to the people of this Planet, just waiting to be found for the benefit of us all.

You will probably be surprised but I agree with you.

Prof. Weinberg has it right, and is an upstanding American and a credit to Judaism: far too many in England who know better, for they claim to themselves the highest moral and intellectual standards, have engaged in anti Israel activities, with the unmistakable stench of anti Judaism eminating from these. Yes, yes, I know: one may be critical of Israel without being anti Jewish-this, however, is not what's underway in England.

I think you have it backwards, common for people in Boston who dont know historical facts. When Palestine was partitioned, Jordan Palestine was given to the Arabs and they BANNED Jews from living there and continue to not allow Jewish citizens. That is NOT true for the much smaller land that is Israel, where Arabs have equal rights. Please stick to the correct country...Jordan Palestine has Apartheid laws. Israel does not.

Given the current rampage of abject submission and slavishness to the collaborators with Arab human rights abuses, his boycott does indeed require courage.For as we speak those British cowards are plotting anyway they can to "get him".It seems just acting like a man these days is a big affair.

First of all I didn't say Arafat and Rabin deserve the Nobel Prize. Second, I think the Nobel Laureate and all other human organizations lost their prestige because of their politicizing their organizations policies to accommodate the state of Israel.

"Weinberg is a prominent atheist, his support for Israel on secular grounds only." That's good enough! The more professors of his ilk who boycott the boycotters the better. NATFHE members should have been intelligent enough to see that many of not most of the Israeli academics they are boycotting are as sympathetic to the rights of Palestinians as they are.

"Me too" boycotts are not only futile, they play right into the hands of the original boycotters. It emphasizes that relations are not normal (as the original boycotters would alledge) and it also gives publicity to the original boycott. However intelligent nobel laureates may be, it seems that they don't have much common sense.

Maybe those who are so angry at the perfidious albion should boycott her science and her shores. Boycott the advances made by Newton, Darwin (although from some of the comments on this mge bd, i seems as if you have bypassed evolution) and the rational empirisism by Hume. Maybe someone should tell you Israeli that the scientific method was developed by the British. The decision by the NUJ and college/university lecturers was a democratic one. You Israeli should respect that. Who the heck is Whiner Weinberg, and who cares if doesn't visit the UK. Ta Ta 4 Now.

tell me, please: how do you define "apartheid"?

As i recall Einstein himself threw his hands up and wailed when he heard about the nuclear explosion.The Manhattan project ?That awful man Oppenheim quoted from the Bhagavad Gita.Classic case of the devil quoting scripture.Adler and Freud inconclusive about their contributions.Salk yes. However, this identification of scientific excellence with jewish science is silly.Many,many nations have contributed to the long march of math and science. Other than that,the boycott was not about jewish science,but about boycotting the apartheid state of Israel,just as the former apartheid state of South Africa was boycotted. The Nobel laureate has the right to refuse to attend.That's his personal decision.

disgusting

Mitch, I don't know whether the British academics have launched any boycotts against the countries you mentioned, I would say most of them probably would deserve it. (As an animal lover I would put China on top of the list for their horrendous animal- abuses...) Although I am very critical of certain Israeli policies, I did not support this boycott, because it goes clearly too far in my point of view. But apart from the fact that Israel could certainly do a better job in explaining her position, I would say that there is probably no country in this world, which could change world opinion that much by taking only a few little steps (first and upmost by presen- ting an own Israeli peace initiative). Try it out, and you will be surprised....

Dear Zevy, I myself have a PhD in Physics and seeing Weinberg's reaction to anti-semitism feels me with pride. I know from his writings that he is an atheist, and after that I have more respect for him than all the neturei karta who are traitors to our people, Weinberg is a mensch.

4. "You may notice [X] that in my statement PART of the reason for anti-semitism is Jewish separatism and sense of superiority. Whether you like it or not, this is a FACT, DOCUMENTED already in Hellenistic times. I mentioned it in the past as well. Facts are facts. As I explained recently to people who could listen, anti-semitism is not necessarily acquired rationally, but people get it from suckling at their mothers` breasts. And anti-Semitism is responsible for the Holocaust. Do you notice the sequence here?" - Tosefta "Who did the documenting in the Hellenistic times? The Greeks who held themselves superior to all others.They put down everybody, your"sources" are biased,would you use jewish sources to base your assumptions of greeks upon them? " - Danite "You are the biggest spreader of false info and lies, even to the point of repeating anti semitic accusations as if they were fact." - A later Danite retort You would think that to know why gentiles hate Jews you would ask the reason from the gentiles, not from the Jews (or Danite). But who can contest the fact of separatism? Since Danite knows about the prohibition of drinking wine with gentiles, can he not relate it to separatism or even accept it? Does Danite not know of Jewish reluctance to intermarry with gentiles? One needs to be either blind or dumb not to be aware of Jewish separateness, or perhaps to be a staunch Jewish Apologist who would deny reality if it makes the Jews less than attractive. But wait, there is a LATE ADDITION: "Your proof to me that Hitlers charges against the jews had veracity because they were ancient to which you alluded to the hellenistic sources as proof.Please Tosefta, admit your defeat" It seems all my words, including the top quote, made no impression on Danite the comprehension-challenged. The Hellenistic sources observe Jewish separateness, which every Jew, even a dimwit, will be able to confirm from personal knowledge. And the behavior started in antiquity, but lasted until modern times. I do indeed acknowledge my DEFEAT. I wasn`t able to reach a blockheaded apologist who refuses to see the obvious. I FAILED. God, have mercy (Kyrie Eleison)! (continued)

BRAVO..MR WEINBERG..I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU...I WISH WE HAVE THOUSAND LIKE YOU...BRITAIN WILL WAKE UP ONE DAY AND SEE MUSLIM CONTROLING LONDON AND THE BRITISH POLITIC....ALL THOSE ANTISEMIT PEOPLE OF BRITAIN SHOULD GO TO ISRAEL AND SEE WITH THEIR OWN EYES THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THIS VERY SMALL COUNTRY...I DON'T THINK THEIY WILL BE ABLE TO STAY MORE THAN ONE DAY...THE JALOUSIE WILL KILL THEM....AGAIN...BRAVO MR WEINBERG...AND MAY GOD BLESSED YOU....THANKS ...DANIEL RIMOKH...

Decency first, faith second. Atheists are not perfect, too. Some may have prejudices. I am glad the Steven Weinberg is supposedly an atheist. It proves knowledge trumps myths. Iranians, Saudis, Israelis could have peace, but not automatically if they were linked by atheism. Unfortunately, many atheists are as greedy as all others.

He is the Man the Jew and the Scientist you will never be, he makes you look bad, thats why you try to bring him down in that backstabbing cowardly academic way.Yes krakinkopf I see right through you.

Until the tyrannts running these states are brought to justice and the persecution of the innocent civilians ends!

Unlike life under Israeli Occupation, the UK is a place where students and faculty can move freely, do not risk being shot at, abused and imprisoned without charge for months or years on end. Unlike life under Israeli Occupation, students and faculty do not have to apply for permits simply to visit relatives and colleagues a few miles away within the West Bank. Unlike the British academics (many of them Jews by the way) who called for boycott of Israeli academic institutions, this guy either has no clue or doesn't give a damn about what Israel has done in the spurious name of 'security' to ordinary people.

Have you read Jimy Carter's book? I have and his hatred of Begin oozes throughout his discussion of the "peace" talks he initiated. Were you aware that most of the financing from the Carter foundation comes from Saudi Arabia. He would be better off building homes for poor people in the US, possibly those still homeless from last summer's hurricanes in New Orleans.

Chris: What is not very "bright" is your perverse logic. By refusing to attend a London conference because of the vicious and hypocritical anti-Israel sentiment pervasive in the UK, Mr. Weinberg is proving that such foolish boycotts as that practiced by the NUJ do not work and in fact have unintended consequences. These boycotts will prompt intelligent and lucid individuals to boycott the UK and its products because of the sheer hypocracy of such political action by the NUJ. If you don't like it then go cry on the shoulders of such British "luminaries" as Ken Livingstone, Mona Baker and Robert Fisk.

What was wrong with my posts to tosefta?? NU? Toda

he has done the correct thing. Maybe the Europeans can learn a thing or 2.

As a physicist, let me just mention that Steven Weinberg is considered to be one of the greatest minds in physics today. His work in general relativity is universally acclaimed. The anti-semitic British should not only boycott Jews, they should boycott Jewish science (like the Nazis did)...no penicillin (Salk), no nuclear energy (Einstein, Bethe, Teller, Feynman, etc.), no psychology (Freud, Adler), etc.

Most people in the UK have never heard of the NUJ boycott, and have no idea what the NUJ is and have never heard of Weinberg. Most people in the UK unlike the wining, winging people in Israel get on with their lives and are having a good time. And if some smart Aleck says that's because they don't live in Israel in a war situation. Well good manners means you should not go where your not wanted, and as Israeli's have NO manners, and barged into the Middle East causing untold misery to the Palestinians, and to themselves. You only have yourself to blame. Also who reads The Guardian? Except a load of snobby intellectuals.

what has his being an Atheist got to do with what he has done? I see no connection unless of course the writer of response #18 is himself a bigot and deems all who are Jews but are not religious, thus secular, as being outsiders whereas the reality is most of the Jews who have enriched the world were and are such people, the percentage of religious Jews who have contributed something to society is miniscule.

Racist? No. Intellectually honest? Yes. Use of weighted and inflammatory words in an effort to paint tiny Israel as the aggressor, while Islamic Forces Violently Pour over Three Continents taking Slaves in Southern Africa while gunning down entire Elementary Schools in Russia, is an example of the opposite, Intellectual Dishonesty.

Dear Mitch, the answer is simple. Israel has the best scientists in the world hence the brits (Pakistani) phobia. I hope I answer you question.

Wow, your London Educational System really is in bad shape.

I have posted a video on the subject of apartheid . search it under my name

These British Literati obviously prefer the Arabs, who Murder their Librarians, Burn their Book Stores and blow up their Schools, to we who have earned a good quarter of all Nobel Prizes and an even higher percentage in The Hard Sciences. They want Masked Gunmen running their Universities? Then they can run their Universities without our Contributions.

I have attended Weinberg's class on Quantum Mechanics and know first hand that he is brilliant. I am glad that he spoke out against Britain and its anti-semitism. Please note that he is not a racist and was going to speak in honor of Abdus Salam, a fellow laureate. People who say that Nobel Prize has lost its significance etc have no clue what they are talking about. Things are done against Israel and Jews in the academic and journalistic circles in UK. Some one has decided to put a stop to it. Bravo, Dr Weinberg!

i'm sure the professor understands that there is a difference, legally and perhaps morally, between the existence of oppression in muslim countries and the existence of oppression in the occupied territories. it's quite cynical to assign nefarious intentions to a political stance with which you simply disagree. it is the lowest form of discourse. Incidentally, i don't think media should be taking positions that affect perceptions of objectivity, but neither do i think anti-semitism has anything to do with NUJ's decision.

To all of you, do yourselves a favour and read the book "THE FIRST 3 MINUTES OF THE UNIVERSE". It's a classic and it highlights Weinberg's brilliance.

This is the only way to show the world the non-sense and rudeness of the countless boycots that have been proclaimed on our small country in the recent years. May more Jews and non-Jews follow his example!

If he chooses to stay home, fine. He makes a statement. But it doesn't require any 'courage', at least not in the free world. As to antisemitism: Not everyone opposed to Israeli policy is antisemitic, just as not everyone who thinks Bush is a disaster is anti-American. Repeating it over and over again doesn't make it any more true - only more and more annoying. This is not to say that I agree with imposing sanctions of any kind on Israel - or on the UK.

"Sorry, old chap we want miss your visit". LOL

No, you won't miss the Nobel Prize. What's it worth anyway? Hopefully all US prize winners will take similar steps to help educate the UK that academic boycotts go two ways. Stiff upper lip and you can always participate in the Nobel experience by watching TV.

Firstly for you to try to delegitimise this scientist because you claim he has no grasp of the social sciences is of course ludicrous as you are a shining example of a mediocre scientist playing geniius of the world on subjects like history of which he knows nothing about.Secondly the example of this MAN and proud jew of course causes you much worry as he makes your cowardice and anti semitism stand out in sharp relief.he is the man you can never be and you hate yourself for it dont you!

I have posted a video on the subject of apartheid . search it under my name

"Apartheid", eh? LOL. In your (revenge)-dreams, I'm afraid. The West won't buy it. They remember and know their history. Arab non-Jewish Palestinians had their chance for a state in 1947 under the aegis of the UN - the Partition Plan. No one forgets that the Jewish Palestinians accepted Partition ('better half-a-loaf'), while the Arabs and non-Jewish Palestinians rejected Partition and made war. Your designs on delegitimizing Israel find fertile ground only in the Ummah (check the Jew-hate in Arab papers) and amongst willing idiots like the NUJ. On the other hand, Canada, amongst most other modern nations, democratic, secular, pluralistic, and tolerant, knows terrorist leadership when it sees it. "Palestine" is DOA unless and until an unambiguous overture for peace, led by a Palestinian leader who isn't also a warlord with a private army, is made. Peace now.

MORE POWER TO YOU

Just as "typical" is your response. It's as if something that looks, sounds, smells like antisemitism is not unless, what, someone stones a rabbi? Don't you, writer from London, accept your country's legacy in Palestine as a big pa part of the refugee problem? Is your country's presence in Ireland, it's colonial empire that crumbled when almost all the the pieces of red were ripped out of the atlas so pure that you really expect Israeli's to give up this tiny swath of land so that people who call themselves a nation can sew their internal civil conflicts and the anarchy that follows them wherever they live in Jeruselem, Haifa and Israel proper? Life is about compromise sometimes, not about being right or resolving genuinely intractable conflicts. The leaders of the Palestinian people have had NUMEROUS opportunities for compromise in the form of a 2 state solution and "negotiations" always end in terrorism. Do the math.

I've got news for you,an Oxford professor who had banned an Israeli student from a graduate work there on grounds similiar to your muddy school-style( "Occupation of Palestine") got rebuked by the University and had to apologize. So your "arguments" could only be used by gullible simpletons and crypto antisemites.

this guy is a legend. i can tell you from living here that our journalists are nothing more than a bunch of self-interested parasites spawning in the cess pool of british politics. this country is really shamefully hypocritical and i apologise on behalf of my cowardly countrymen for the scapegoating of israel that has been going on lately because nobody has the courage here to own up to the fact iraq is a BRITISH AND AMERICAN mess (like most of the messes in the region). instead they'd rather blame israel, even for iran's fascism. disgraceful stuff. if only london wasn't the financial capital of the world i'd encourage the whole world to boycott britain until we become a republic.

people with brains know who's right in this conflict. much respect to Weinberg.

Courage? backbone? balls? honorable? It would take all those things TO SHOW UP and say what ya gotta say!!! As most people mature and learn a few facts about life you come to terms with this: SOME people will always hate you, and SOME people will always LOVE/LIKE you. No one, no country ever has 100% support and agreement1 Good grief. People wanting to boycott are sure entitled to, it's nonviolent, but how USEFUL is it if you shut up about what you want to say? if one truly believes themselves/their views to be in the right and acceptable, by all means share it with the world.We can't all segregate according to doctrine/belief system. We have to share ONE planet. Get over it already! Don't buy into bit of extremism or opposing opinion with your own level of extremism.

The NOBLE PRIZE lost its prestige when it was awarded to Arafat (Dr. Killer), Rabin & Peres (Guardians of Hell's Gate), and countless others who, like yourself, twist reason & truth so your antisemitism can breath. Come out of the closet Mary, you'll breath much easier.

How can the BBC be 'balanced' and 'even-handed' in their reportage when their Union (NUJ) boycotts Israel and Israelis? Why do they bother to affect 'objectivity'? I applaud Dr. Weinberg's actions, which adhere to the stricture: "Shun the Contemptible". So should we all, until they realize the folly of their ideology.

Diaspora jews very often defend Israel interest much more than Israelis themselves.

I hope you will read Toseftas comments on this brave man and that it will help you understand the nature of the person you cry over.If even after reading his response you still think "poor him" all I can tell you is that you are very naive.The only reason he is "nice" to you is for propoganda purposes.I see right through him but do you?

I fully support Weinberg in his opposition to the Israboycott. Nobody is boycotting the oppression of Mubarak's regime or the regimes of the Saudi "bins" (or ibns) of Occupied Arabia. Sudan anyone? Israterrorism is nothing compared to Omar al-Bashir's brutalization of the Darfur peoples, and he lacks Israweapons. BUT, don't resort to the old "anti-Semite" trick. This isn't the case; it's not hatred of Jews, but definitely anti-Israel. These concepts are distinct. In fact, resorting to this accusation will only add more gasoline to the fire...

You must agree that for the Uk academics to boycott Israel YET NO BOYCOTT on: CHINA/IRAN/SUDAN/NORTH KOREA/BURMA/CUBA etc.etc.etc. ONLY ISRAEL. And Israel is a democracy whose predicament with the Palestinians is handled in the same way that we would expect any western democracy to act IF NOT BETTER. YET DESPITE ALL THIS as you admit, the world remains unneutral towards Israel. Why?

Correction there old Mary, the nobel prize lost its prestige when it awarded Arafat the award in 1994

Heard of NUJ and other collective boycotts. But this guy sounds like he enjoys Israel killing civilians in Gaza and the West Bank. Sorry, old chap we want miss your visit.

Only the UK will suffer from any anti-Israel boycott. In many ways Israel is a far more powerful country than the UK, certainly in terms of intellectual and academic depth, Israel has the edge. Some folks in Britain as dumb as Doorknobs...those initiating such boycotts for example, how smart could they be?

Mary, It could help if you read Prof. Weinberger's explanations. If you still feel that Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Iran are great countries, far superior to Israel and offering wonderful opportunities to women such as yourself, then perhaps you should leave Boston and emigrate to the Middle East. Cheers, D

well, the nobel peace prize lost already its prestige when yassir arafat got it. by the way: how do you define "apartheid"?

A great man that many other academics should emulate.

The only explanation for Weinberg's blindness to the NUJ's motives for making the decision (i.e. Israel's fascist policies toward the Palestinians), his assumption that their decision was based on anti-Semitism and "pandering to the U.K.'s growing Muslim minority" is that he himself is racist. So evidently, a "bravo" for Weinberg is a "bravo" for racism.

keep on whining.

The reason why professor Steven Weinberg is not going to England is because of mindless antisemites like yourself,that have no knowledge of what is going on in the Middle East. In your case Mr Bradley Burston is right. You are a coward and a bigot.(TALBACK 18th may 2007.)This goes also to number 33 KA,no real name no town or country.

#10 The Truth from Britain: your post saying that it is typical of Jews is another exaqmple of the rampant antisemitism in Britain. Blaming the world problems on the Jews as usual.

"boycotting Israel indicated a moral blindness for which it is hard to find any explanation other than anti-Semitism." - S. Weinberg Steven Weinberg is following his beliefs, and can be admired for this. That does not mean that his beliefs are reasonable. I don't think they are. Take this belief as a relevant example which he uses to explain his present cancellation of his speech: "the NUJ's move stems from the "desire to pander to the growing Muslim minority in Britain." I can understand that politicians will try to pander to the Muslims in their districts, but why should journalists worry about the Muslims who constitute some 3% of the population (and most of these are Indians/Pakistanis)? Silly. Getting a Nobel Prize in Physics does not guarantee a good sense in politics and sociology. How about the following Weinberg pearl: "Religion is an insult to human dignity. Without it you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion." I would understand if Weinberg would see religion as an insult to "reason/logic", after all these are the tools that are indispensable to his trade, but Weinberg is missing all the good that religion has done over the ages, especially its contribution to the instillment of moral values in the heart of man. I think Weinberg himself is morally blind. He misses the moral dimensions of religion as he misses the moral dimensions of the Occupation of the Palestinians. And he also misses the moral dimension of the menschlichkeit involved in giving a speech to honor the man that enabled Weinberg to get his own Nobel Prize.

Great. Now every single Jew should boycott Britain.

For long I have been claiming BBC is biased..,and in the UK there is a strong anti israel, anti semitic sentiment. To no avail. Finally a voice with gravitas- a Nobel Laureate- does say what I have been saying for long.

but the British decision to boycott has nothing to do with antiSemitism.It is part of a worldwid(now growing movement)against the apartheid state,similar to the one against former apartheid South Africa.

...I would most probably feel the same if I would be Israeli or Jewish. But isn't it telling that it's mostly Jewish people who are willing to make a (strong) statement for Israel, be it in the case of those who left Jimmy Carters organization after he wrote his book, or now the Nobel laureate...??? Shouldn't Israelis start to think about why they are not able to win over more "neutral" people for their cause...???

Is their anything more pathetic than seeing Jews grovel in filth to appear to be "good jews".it is one thing to be critical of israels policies in the appropraite ways but it is another to kow tow beg and scrape before self appointed judges of the Jewish people.

Dear Mary it's not NOBLE prize, but Nobel Prize. Weinberg is a first class master physicist. If you read the article properly, the aim of the trip was to honour Professor Abdus Salam a Pakistani Professor who was himself a victim of Islamic racism, not being allowed to lecture of to give any conferences in any Muslim UNiversities. Talk about racism again.

You IRA types are all the same - can't stop thanking the PLO.

I am confused by your point.

Israel has twenty percent Arab population: Israeli Arabs are true citizens of the state with all the privileges that that implies. True, Israel defends itself against an antisemitic racist Palestinian Authority. That's self defense, nothing else. Anything else would be suicide.

Whilst I am against any boycott as they do not work. The fact that Steven Weinberg has chosen not to attend, plays into the hands of those who wish to boycott Israel. Although Weinberg may feel proud of his actions, and enjoy the cheers from the sidelines, he has in fact effectively become part of the boycott. Which for a Professor and a Nobel Prize winner is not very bright.

Thank you Professor Weinberg

The Nobel prize lost credibility when it was given to Arafat, whose main accomplishment in life was to kill as many Jews as he could directly or indirectly. I recall that Boston was a centre for antisemtism before World War 2. It is nice to know that things have not changed. Go visit Israel sometime and take a look at its size on the map of the Middle East.

...Please Call it the Nobel Prize, the Swedish medal...hell...call if the Palestinian Solidarity Award if you want... the Jews are still smart enough to win a good percentage of these awards b/c we spend our time educating ourselves and not picking up weapons to murder women and children. AM YISRAEL CHAI.

Ah, what a hero! I'd love to see the day when all Jewish academics refuse to give speeches in countries pandering to Islamo-fascists and left-wing Jew-hating radicals. God knows we've contributed an inordinate amount to academia over the centuries. We need to use some of this power to fight for our people. ISRAEL AND NOT SAFE. THEY ARE UNDER CONSTANT THREAT OF INVASTION AND ATTACK.

I'll take a million of him over one Naturei Karta garbage any day

Truth and you are not on speaking terms.

Stop appeasing the terrorists and racists and do what is right. This is an example others should follow. Good for Weinberg. Morals are important.

Institutions and universities can not implement political controls in line with the policies of an apparthied state. I don't know how people who support an apparthied state who is occupying and oppressing millions of people get NOBLE PRIZE. The NOBLE PRIZE is losing its prestige.

Even if the lies told about Israel were true, her neighbours have done worse and sailed through because of the brotherhood of the Arab states. Killing Arabs? which arab state hasn't done this without being criticised? It's just because this is a Jewish state that it is criticised. The professor has the honesty and the bravery to tell the truth whereas others wink in the hopes that it will all come out in the wash. The linen is dirty. No washing will take away the stain of antisemitism.

when did israel create the "murderous palestinians"? can you tell me please? thank you.

These kind of Jews make me proud !

Short and correct posts. If Professor Weinberg came and spoke about the pronounced anti-semitism present in England, it would just be an excuse by thoise anti-Semites to vilify Jews again. His absence speaks louder than would his presence. Let me add my Bravo!

Well done Weinberg. You show courage. If only others would follow your example. Many in the present British establishment like to play God, while ignoring their own falts. It's easier being in cowardly denial and using Israel as a convenient dog to whip.

How refreshing to actually read that someone cares and is prepared to raise his voice. After all it's not politically correct to say anything pro-Israel Is it? I womder how many diaspora Jews are actually prepared to. Kol Hakavod

Never again should we stand silent when anti-Semitism shows its ugly head - hats off to Weinberg - lets hope others will follow in his brave footsteps!

STEVE, I WOULD LIKE TO SHAKE YOUR HAND

good for you sir, give those hypocrits some of their own medicine.

Weinberg was trained in a discipline where one deals with the real world not with the world of one's imagination, hopes, or fears. It would advance the security of Israel and situation of all Jews if we returned to serious education.