Hebrew U professor: 'Jewish terrorists' destroyed homes in Wadi Hummus
"If there was a God, he would've brought down a lightning bolt on the Jewish terrorists who destroyed the home," wrote Goldblum on Facebook.
By BRADLEY LEVINOne of the 18 Wadi Hummus buildings slated for demolition(photo credit: TOVAH LAZAROFF)
Amiram Goldblum, a senior chemistry professor at Hebrew University, called the IDF soldiers who demolished illegal Arab buildings in Wadi al-Hummus "Jewish terrorists.""If there was a God, he would've brought down a lightning bolt on the Jewish terrorists who destroyed the home," wrote Goldblum on Facebook.The professor recommended that Palestinians retaliate following the demolition."The 'caligae' [derogatory term for soldiers] of the apartheid state Israel are demolishing homes in Area A of miserable Palestinians in a modern method," he posted. "I hope that the home will avenge its blood against its destroyers and the ones who gave the orders."Goldblum is a longtime, outspoken critic of many of Israel's policies. He was the spokesperson of Peace Now for 20 years, which, according to its website, is a movement that "works to ensure Israelis embrace the only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: two states, meaning the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel." Goldblum now serves on the public council of the non-profit New Israel Fund.CEO of right-wing NGO Im Tirtzu Matan Peleg blasted Goldblum's post: "It is disgraceful to see how a professor who teaches in a publicly funded university and receives his salary from the Israeli taxpayer, calls IDF soldiers 'terrorists' and writes that he hopes harm befalls them," said Peleg. "While he is drinking his espresso in Hebrew University's cafeteria, these same soldiers are working day and night to ensure his safety. Rather than disgustingly inciting against IDF soldiers, Goldblum should focus his time on actually doing his job."Professor Goldblum previously sparked controversy, when he called students from Im Tirtzu "Nazi dogs" in June.Hebrew University, which prides itself on "the preservation of and research into Jewish, cultural, spiritual and intellectual traditions," did not condemn Goldblum's comments."It is not the place of the university to comment on people's private lives. In the same way, if a doctor were to make some statements, you are not going to now speak with the hospital; he is a private person," Tali Aronsky, Hebrew University's spokesperson told the Jerusalem Post. "As long as it's happening outside the classroom it is not the university's place to comment on it."Hebrew University made this statement despite Goldblum's previous public threat to prevent activist students from furthering their studies. According to Israel's Makor Rishon newspaper, Im Tirtzu's creation of a website that publicizes professors as "anti-Israeli" prompted Goldblum to write, "Now I promise – I will photograph every scum of Im Tirtzu on campus and will publicize their names as much as I can, so that teachers know who they shouldn't accept to advanced degrees."Yuval Brami, Im Tirtzu’s Hebrew University branch coordinator, told JNS that the university has blatantly turned a blind eye to Goldblum's "outrageous" comments.“It is outrageous that a professor in Hebrew University would dare to prevent students from studying in his class due to their personal views and social affiliation,” said Brami.“What is even worse,” continued Brami, “is that the university does not see fit to deal with this issue at all.”
