Prof Gets Tenure
NEW YORK — A Columbia University professor who reportedly asked an Israeli student how many Palestinians he had killed was given tenure. Columbia approved Joseph Massad’s bid for tenure, his second attempt, last month. Massad was part of a controversy several years ago over scholarly treatment of Israel at Columbia. In addition to the comment about killing Palestinians, he was accused of mistreating and intimidating pro-Israel students. He denied many of the claims and said he was the target of a “witch hunt.” A university probe substantiated some of the claims against him and found that in one instance, he exceeded “commonly accepted bounds” of behaviour.
Franken Wins Seat
MINNEAPOLIS — Former Saturday Night Live comedian Al Franken, a Jewish Democrat, has won the Minnesota U.S. Senate race after eight months of recounts and legal challenges. In a unanimous decision, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled June 30 that Franken’s 312-vote victory would stand. Republican Norm Coleman, who also is Jewish, then ended his legal battle, officially conceding the race. With Coleman’s defeat and the decision by Pennsylvania’s Arlen Specter to join the Democratic caucus, the Senate now has no Jewish Republican members. The House of Representatives has one Jewish Republican, Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia.
Court Ends Probe
MADRID — Spain’s National Court last week ended its investigation of alleged Israeli war crimes. A judge on the Spanish National Court said in May he would investigate a 2002 Israeli bombing that killed a Hamas leader in Gaza, despite the fact prosecutors advised against it and Israel probed the murder. The decision to end the probe came after Spain’s parliament gave preliminary approval to a law saying that cases must involve a Spanish citizen or a defendant on Spanish soil. Previously, the court, under the principal of universal jurisdiction, said it could try rights and war crimes cases if the country of origin doesn’t. It has investigated such cases throughout the world.
Rowe Seeks Rights
LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson’s Jewish ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, has asked a court to restore her parental rights to two children she bore him, partly because of the pop icon’s links to the Nation of Islam. The pair married in 1996, with both parties saying the sole purpose of the marriage was to give Jackson children. Jackson’s mother has temporary custody of the late singer’s children.
Fined For Klezmer
BERLIN — A Dresden politician was fined for playing loud klezmer music from his office at City Hall to disturb a neo-Nazi rally. Stephan Kuhn of the Green party was ordered July 1 to pay a $210 (US) fine, which will benefit a group that helps victims of right-wing violence. Neo-Nazis held a march on Feb.13, 2008, on the anniversary of the World War II firebombing of Dresden by the Allies. Prosecutors said Kuhn disrupted a speech, thus interfering with the right to free assembly.