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Tel Aviv University

Tel Aviv University – Board of Governor Mark Tanenbaum resigns from all positions over TAU President Klafter’s suppression of free speech

My decision is based on the shockingly unforgivable behavior of president Klafter toward me and my fellow governors at today's closing plenary. ... When we did not withdraw our proposed resolution, as president Klafter demanded, he abruptly adjourned the plenum, thereby denying us and those who supported our resolution the right to vote in it's favor. How ironic that president Klafter denies me MY right to free speech, by not allowing a vote on our resolution, but has no problem protecting the rights of those harming the university.

Subject: Mark Tanenbaum's resignation from all boards at Tel Aviv University
Date: Tue, 11 May 2010 14:23:00 -0400
From: Mark Tanenbaum
To: Robert Goldberg, Roni Krinsky, Dany Leviatan, Asher Susser

May 11, 2010

To: Robert Goldberg
Roni Krinsky
Dany Leviatan
Asher Susser

To my dear friends Bobby, Dany, Roni and Asher,

I am formally submitting my resignation from all of my positions at Tel Aviv University forthwith and shall no longer be donating any funds. This includes my positions on the Board of Governors, the Board of AFTAU and the Board of International Overseers of the Dayan Center.

My decision is based on the shockingly unforgivable behavior of president Klafter toward me and my fellow governors at today's closing plenary.

As you know, a few of us governors proposed a resolution on the issue of the TAU academics promoting a worldwide boycott of our university. The resolution requested that the University and Senate investigate this issue and come to some conclusion about our findings on this matter.

After the proposed resolution was read, President Klafter grabbed the microphone and began to rail against the resolution. He stated more or less, that under his watch no such resolution would ever be passed, and that it would infringe upon the free speech of the radical academics. He insisted that our proposed resolution be withdrawn.

Although it became obvious as the meeting progressed that we did not have enough support to pass our resolution, we still wanted to proceed with the vote, so that we could express our opinion formally.

When we did not withdraw our proposed resolution, as president Klafter demanded, he abruptly adjourned the plenum, thereby denying us and those who supported our resolution the right to vote in it's favor.

How ironic that president Klafter denies me MY right to free speech, by not allowing a vote on our resolution, but has no problem protecting the rights of those harming the university.

I am shocked and outraged at this undemocratic and egregious behavior by someone in his position.

I will be sure to tell all existing and potential donors of how our right to free speech at TAU is based upon Klafter's personal view of your particular issue.

It is now obvious that as an academic at TAU, you can promote a boycott of the University and have nothing to fear. Their right to harm the university is guaranteed under president Klafter's protective wing.

Mark H. Tanenbaum
Miami Beach