London School of Economics and Political Science is scheduled to host a book launch in two weeks for a controversial book titled "Understanding Hamas and Why That Matters". The book features activists from Israel and around the world who whitewash the terrorist organization responsible for murdering 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023, and kidnapping 250 others.
The book, authored by Helena Cobban and Rami G. Khouri, is described on Amazon by its creators as an attempt to explain the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "Across Western mainstream discourse, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has been subjected to intense vilification, branding it as "terrorist", with its demonization intensifying after the events in Southern Israel on October 7, 2023," the authors state.
"Critical shift from social activism to political engagement"
The authors contend that "this book does not advocate for or against Hamas," but rather "aims to deepen understanding of a movement that is a key player in the current crisis," through dialogues with leading experts. "It looks at, among other things, Hamas' critical shift from social and religious activism to national political engagement; the delicate balance between Hamas's political and military wings; and its transformation from early anti-Jewish tendencies to a stance that differentiates between Judaism and Zionism."
"The planned event in London is horrifying, absurd, and a model of bad taste," Sacha Roytman, CEO of the Combat Antisemitism Movement, said. "There is no legitimacy of any kind for a murderous terrorist organization that proved its demonic nature on Oct. 7 – and has since proven its inhumanity, as in the appalling murder of the Bibas family and countless other painful and shocking cases.
There is no place, in higher education institutions or anywhere else, for antisemitism, justification of acts of terrorism or murder, and statements that constitute, directly or indirectly, backing for acts of violence against Jews. We will continue to work to expose the true face of additional international entities infected with hatred of Jews."
"We will never promote hatred"
The book sparked immediate outrage in Israel and worldwide upon its initial publication. After a bookstore in Los Angeles offered the book for sale, several dozen pro-Israel demonstrators gathered to express their firm opposition to what they described as whitewashing of the murderous terrorist organization.
Following the protest, the bookstore announced they would remove the book from their shelves. "We will remove this book from the shelves immediately. We believe in peace and will never promote hatred, hate speech, or ideas that promote bloodshed of any kind."
