Kent State University professor holds "academic friends of Israel directly responsible for the murder of over 1,400 Palestinian children, women and elderly civilians" | cleveland.com
Kent State University professor holds "academic friends of Israel directly responsible for the murder of over 1,400 Palestinian children, women and elderly civilians"
Kent State University professor Julio Pino has drawn ire for statements made to those he calls "pro-Israel academics." (Kent State University)
on August 07, 2014 at 12:41 PM, updated August 07, 2014 at 3:44 PM
Julio PinoKent State University
KENT, Ohio - A Kent State University history professor who for years has been vocal regarding his views against Israel has again come under fire by the university and others for a statement that accuses the pro-Israel academic community of being "directly responsible for the murder of over 1,400 Palestinian children, women and elderly civilians."
Julio Pino, a tenured associate professor who specializes in Latin American history, posted an "open letter" to "academic friends of Israel," reported one recipient, the History News Network at George Mason University.
"'The duty of the revolutionary is to make the revolution,' wrote Fidel Castro," Pino wrote. "You have done neither. You have chosen to openly work for and brag about academic collaboration with a regime that is the spiritual heir to Nazism."
The university denounced his statement.
"It has come to our attention that a Kent State University professor posted an online statement charging scholars with responsibility for civilian deaths in Gaza," the university said Monday on its website. "We condemn the professor's statement as reprehensible and irresponsible.
"At Kent State, we value collegiality and mutual respect. Assailing the public with broad statements of culpability violates these principles."
"We have nothing else to release at this time," spokesman Eric Mansfield responded in an e-mail when asked if the university would take any action.
Pino sent an email to The Plain Dealer Thursday afternoon.
"I thank you for your story on my views regarding the ongoing massacre in Gaza, but contend with you on one important point, and you may quote me. I have not 'spent years arousing' people against Israel or any other nation. I have devoted decades to freeing Palestine from foreign occupation, along with other Muslims, Christians and peace-loving Jews. Israel, or any other colonizing power, is not worth mine, or anybody else's wrath. By its own evils it shall fall."
Kayla Morrison, a Kent State senior from Hartville, said in an email that she is appalled and disgusted by Pino's actions.
She wrote an open letter to the university on Buzzfeed.com, asking it to take action against Pino. She is a history major, but has never had a class with him, she said in the email.
Since she posted her statement two days ago, it has had about 15,000 views, shares and likes, she said.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center sent a letter to Kent State asking that it denounce the professor, Fox News reported.
"Kent State is known for its proud legacy of Jewish studies, scholarship, and life; yet, when the state of Israel defends herself against thousands of rockets targeting Israel's heartland launched by terrorist Hamas and a newly discovered underground of terrorist tunnels, Pino victimizes other academics with his vile propaganda, espousing terror and tarnishing Kent State's good name while targeting Jewish and pro-Israel members of the campus community," the letter said.
Pino is no stranger to controversy. In October 2011 Pino shouted "Death to Israel" during a speech by a former Israeli diplomat. Former President Lester Lefton said later that while Pino had a right to pose a provocative question following the speech and had a right to shout that statement, the words were deplorable.
Kent State University professor holds "academic friends of Israel directly responsible for the murder of over 1,400 Palestinian children, women and elderly civilians" | cleveland.com
Kent State University professor holds "academic friends of Israel directly responsible for the murder of over 1,400 Palestinian children, women and elderly civilians"
Kent State University professor Julio Pino has drawn ire for statements made to those he calls "pro-Israel academics." (Kent State University)
on August 07, 2014 at 12:41 PM, updated August 07, 2014 at 3:44 PM
Julio PinoKent State University
KENT, Ohio - A Kent State University history professor who for years has been vocal regarding his views against Israel has again come under fire by the university and others for a statement that accuses the pro-Israel academic community of being "directly responsible for the murder of over 1,400 Palestinian children, women and elderly civilians."
Julio Pino, a tenured associate professor who specializes in Latin American history, posted an "open letter" to "academic friends of Israel," reported one recipient, the History News Network at George Mason University.
"'The duty of the revolutionary is to make the revolution,' wrote Fidel Castro," Pino wrote. "You have done neither. You have chosen to openly work for and brag about academic collaboration with a regime that is the spiritual heir to Nazism."
The university denounced his statement.
"It has come to our attention that a Kent State University professor posted an online statement charging scholars with responsibility for civilian deaths in Gaza," the university said Monday on its website. "We condemn the professor's statement as reprehensible and irresponsible.
"At Kent State, we value collegiality and mutual respect. Assailing the public with broad statements of culpability violates these principles."
"We have nothing else to release at this time," spokesman Eric
 Mansfield responded in an e-mail when asked if the university would take any action.
Pino sent an email to The Plain Dealer Thursday afternoon.
"I thank you for your story on my views regarding the ongoing massacre in Gaza, but contend with you on one important point, and you may quote me. I have not 'spent years arousing' people against Israel or any other nation. I have devoted decades to freeing Palestine from foreign occupation, along with other Muslims, Christians and peace-loving Jews. Israel, or any other colonizing power, is not worth mine, or anybody else's wrath. By its own evils it shall fall."
Kayla Morrison, a Kent State senior from Hartville, said in an email that she is appalled and disgusted by Pino's actions.
She wrote an open letter to the university on Buzzfeed.com, asking it to take action against Pino. She is a history major, but has never had a class with him, she said in the email.
Since she posted her statement two days ago, it has had about 15,000 views, shares and likes, she said.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center sent a letter to Kent State asking that it denounce the professor, Fox News reported.
"Kent State is known for its proud legacy of Jewish studies, scholarship, and life; yet, when the state of Israel defends herself against thousands of rockets targeting Israel's heartland launched by terrorist Hamas and a newly discovered underground of terrorist tunnels, Pino victimizes other academics with his vile propaganda, espousing terror and tarnishing Kent State's good name while targeting Jewish and pro-Israel members of the campus community," the letter said.
Pino is no stranger to controversy. In October 2011 Pino shouted "Death to Israel" during a speech by a former Israeli diplomat. Former President Lester Lefton said later that while Pino had a right to pose a provocative question following the speech and had a right to shout that statement, the words were deplorable.