Along with the Department of History, Middle East Studies Student Initiative (MESSI), LeVine was involved in bringing a member of the Cairo Based Muslim Brotherhood to UCI on October 8, 2008.
LeVine, a UC Irvine Professor of modern Middle Eastern history, culture, and Islamic studies, defends the “Irvine 11″and blasts Israeli Ambassador Oren’s visit to UC Irvine.
Excerpts:
“Without a clear ban in place beforehand on the type and style of protest in which they engaged, it is hard to see how they could fairly be subject to severe punishment by the university for their protest, never mind arrest and potential prosecution….”
“…However, from the Israeli side Ambassador Oren’s appearance at UCI was part of an extremely sophisticated, well funded and self-described “propaganda”- campaign-known by the Hebrew term “hasbara”–directed by the Israeli government and major American Jewish organizations with the goal of presenting Israel in the most positive light possible on campus…”
“…Indeed, against such a powerful bloc of forces, we can ask how already marginalized Muslim students should be expected to protest against the Ambassador’s appearance?..” Mark LeVine
Click here for the George Mason University History News Network Article Click here for the shorter version in the LA Times
Filed under: News Tagged: | Ambassador Michael Oren, Professor Mark LeVine
