Dershowitz on Gather, Carter at Brandeis

Last month controversy erupted surrounding an invitation extended President Jimmy Carter to speak at Brandeis. The invitation was extended by a trustee with the suggestion that he make Waltham a stop on his book tour and have a little debate with Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz. Carter gave the idea a thanks but no thanks response. Carter’s newest book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid was publicly criticized by Dershowitz who has asserted that the former President is taking a critical look at Israel while ignoring other, and according to Dershowitz more significant, human rights problems in Saudi Arabia. While the initial invitation was twice declined, a new invitation was extended to Carter by faculty and students. Their invitation was to speak and take questions, but Dershowitz was not on the table. The group is looking to increase a dialog about the Israeli-Palestine conflict on campus, an issue on which Carter’s perspective is not presented with regularity. Carter has agreed to make an appearance at Brandeis under these conditions.

Alan Dershowitz is preparing to attend the presentation by Carter currently scheduled for January 23. On the locally-based internet VC funded startup Gather.com Alan Dershowitz is posting a six-part series titled “Ex-President for Sale.” The title says a lot, and in the Globe last week Dershowitz confirms that the Carter visit to Brandeis will not be void of his presence

"This will be the debate, whether he wants it or not," Dershowitz said.
"He will get the first word and the last word, but he will not get the only word. This will be the toughest encounter he has ever had in his professional career. This marks the end of his softball outings with the media.”

The visit by President Carter hasn’t been confirmed as to the particulars, but the initial schedule is for a 15 minute presentation followed by 45 minutes of Q&A. Dershowitz continues to publish his essays in “Ex-President for Sale” at Gather and you can read the responses he’s been getting on the site. Dershowitz also provides his opinion on “Why won’t Carter Debate his Book?” – in short he describes the former President as a schoolyard bully.

Image is the cover of Carter's book from Amazon.com