Prime Minister Sharon refuses to allow Cabinet Minister Uzi Landau from traveling to the United States tomorrow, reportedly because Landau opposes the disengagement plan. The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has decried Sharon's blow at "the cherished principle of freedom of speech." The ZOA is hoping that Landau will be able to speak at its annual dinner in New York City three months from now.
"Every public official has a moral obligation to express his point of view," says ZOA National President Morton A. Klein, "since the proposed unilateral withdrawal from Gaza would strengthen the terrorists and endanger the lives of Israel's citizens... Jews around the world have a right to hear all sides of the argument. Barring Landau strikes a blow at free speech and deprives Diaspora Jews the opportunity to be fully informed about the issues at stake."
Klein challenged liberal organizations to take up this cause: "We assume that liberal Jewish organizations and civil rights group, which, in the name of free speech, championed the right of Israeli doves to voice their disagreements with nationalist Israeli governments, will now likewise support Minister Landau's right to free speech."
Minister Landau's spokesman told Arutz-7 today that Landau was to have departed tomorrow for a speaking tour in various communities abroad. The spokesman said that Sharon has not yet said anything about Landau's planned December trip. In response to a question, he said that Landau did not wish to publicly comment on Sharon's decision.
The ZOA points out that a very significant portion of the Israeli public shares Minister Landau's concerns about the risks of a retreat from Gaza and the uprooting of its residents. "Polls show that less than 50% of Israelis support the Gaza plan," a ZOA announcement states, adding that the Likud membership voted it down by a 60-40 margin, "and a July 2004 poll found 64% of Israelis do not believe retreat from Gaza will decrease the threat of missiles fired by terrorists at pre-1967 Israel."
"Every public official has a moral obligation to express his point of view," says ZOA National President Morton A. Klein, "since the proposed unilateral withdrawal from Gaza would strengthen the terrorists and endanger the lives of Israel's citizens... Jews around the world have a right to hear all sides of the argument. Barring Landau strikes a blow at free speech and deprives Diaspora Jews the opportunity to be fully informed about the issues at stake."
Klein challenged liberal organizations to take up this cause: "We assume that liberal Jewish organizations and civil rights group, which, in the name of free speech, championed the right of Israeli doves to voice their disagreements with nationalist Israeli governments, will now likewise support Minister Landau's right to free speech."
Minister Landau's spokesman told Arutz-7 today that Landau was to have departed tomorrow for a speaking tour in various communities abroad. The spokesman said that Sharon has not yet said anything about Landau's planned December trip. In response to a question, he said that Landau did not wish to publicly comment on Sharon's decision.
The ZOA points out that a very significant portion of the Israeli public shares Minister Landau's concerns about the risks of a retreat from Gaza and the uprooting of its residents. "Polls show that less than 50% of Israelis support the Gaza plan," a ZOA announcement states, adding that the Likud membership voted it down by a 60-40 margin, "and a July 2004 poll found 64% of Israelis do not believe retreat from Gaza will decrease the threat of missiles fired by terrorists at pre-1967 Israel."