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Over 500 Israeli academics have written a letter protesting the recent banning of American foreign policy critic Noam Chomsky, into the West Bank from Jordan. In late May the famed linguist and professor was refused a day permit by Israeli authorities to make a scheduled speech at Bir Zeit University in Palestine. After questioning the 81 year-old linguist for several hours, Israeli ministry officials deemed Chomsky a security threat. Recently a spokesperson for the Israeli government said that they made a “big mistake” by Chomsky and that “a low-level border clerk had unjustly denied him his entry.” The spokesperson added, “If he wants to come to the border he will be allowed in.” Professor Chomsky delivered his scheduled address via video link in front of an audience of hundreds.

The MIT professor is no stranger to controversy. His criticism of domestic and foreign affairs has made him an enemy of the powerful, and a beloved intellectual for generations of progressives. In his eighties, he continues to travel extensively, lecture widely, and write prolifically. Chomsky’s latest book, Hope and Prospects, explores a range of issues including the financial bailouts, Iraq and Afghanistan, American-Israeli policies, and the growing gap between North and South. Chomsky not only offers readers keen insight into the most pressing issues of today, he also looks at current movements and political developments that give him hope for a better tomorrow. Recently KPFA programmer Sasha Lilley sat down with him to explore his personal philosophy and how it applies to his work. Sasha Lilley also spoke with the late Howard Zinn and her conversations with both these progressive intellectuals is captured on a brand new DVD produced by PM Press called Theory and Practice: Conversations with Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn.

Thank you gifts:

Hopes and Prospects by Noam Chomsky – book – $75
Theory and Practice: Conversations with Chomsky and Zinn – DVD – $80
Book and DVD – $150