FBI questions renowned Jewish historian Ilan Pappe at Detroit airport

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Social media + News websites
16 May 2024 11:17
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Ilan Pappe, a distinguished Jewish philosopher and historian, suggests that his interrogation at Detroit Airport may have been influenced by pressure from pro-Israeli lobbyists or "Israel" itself.

Renowned Jewish historian Ilan Pappe (Flickr)

Ilan Pappe, a distinguished Jewish philosopher and historian, reported in a post on Facebook getting detained by the FBI for two hours, during which his phone was seized and he was subjected to a series of probing questions.

Despite the ordeal, Pappe did not describe the investigators as abusive but noted that their inquiries were "really out of the world," touching on topics such as his views on Israeli actions in Gaza and his relationships with Arab and Muslim individuals in America.

"Who are my Arab and Muslim friends in America...how long do I know them, what kind of relationship I have with them," was among the questions they relayed to Pappe.

Another question, he indicated, was, "Am I a Hamas supporter? do I regard the Israeli actions in Gaza a genocide? what is the solution to the "conflict" [seriously this what they asked!]."

Making reference to Palestinian-British surgeon Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta, he wrote in his Facebook post, "I know many of you have fared far worse experience, but after France and Germany denied entry to the Rector of Glasgow university for being a Palestinian...God know what will happen next."

The incident has sparked speculation about the motives behind his interrogation, with Pappe suggesting that it may have been influenced by pressure from pro-Israeli lobbyists or "Israel" itself.

Not an isolated incident

In an article titled "Why Haifa University Cancelled My Conference," published by History News Network, Ilan Pappe detailed the abrupt cancellation of a conference on recent developments in Israeli and Palestinian historiography regarding the 1948 war and Nakba.

On May 22, at 14:00, attendees arrived at hall 715 in the university only to find the doors locked. Instead, they encountered the chief of security forces and ten armed subordinates, who barred entry. Pappe was personally handed a letter from the University President Yehuda Hayut accusing him of allegedly violating the university code and subsequently canceling the event.

Witnessing this scene were Pappe's wife and colleagues, who felt powerless against the unfolding situation. According to Pappe, this incident is indicative of a larger pattern of suppression of basic civic and human rights within "Israel". He asserted that the campus atmosphere mirrors the broader erosion of rights, exemplified by the killing of journalists and the targeting of human rights activists in the West Bank.

"This is not an isolated event. It is part of a daily reality in the campus that reflects and represents the overall demise of basic civic and human rights in Israel. The shooting of journalists and the assassination of human rights activists in the West Bank on the one hand, and the reign of terror and intimidation in the campus, on the other, are part and parcel of the same phenomena," he wrote.

Furthermore, Ilan Pappe urged readers to express their indignation and protest against the present trends and ideologies in "Israel", not only for his sake but for the sake of all those victimized by these policies. He highlighted the Palestinians living under occupation, the minority within "Israel", and the few dissenting voices within Jewish society as particularly vulnerable to the current climate.

"As in the past, I ask you to express your indignation and protest and react in any way you deem appropriate, not for my sake, but for the sake of all those who are victimized by the present trends and ideologies in the state of Israel: the Palestinians under occupation, the minority within the country, and the few dissenting voices inside the Jewish society. Such a voice, in the end of the day, will be a valuable contribution to peace and reconciliation in the Middle East," he concluded his article by saying.

In a recent Facebook post on May 9, Ilan Pappe celebrated a significant victory at Rutgers New Brunswick following four days of encampment, with the presence of Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA).

Pappe is one of many voices who are being persecuted and silenced for opposing the Israeli occupation of Palestine and for calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.