Wadie Said
Reader comment on article: Redeeming the Wayward University

Submitted by Worried About Wayne State University Law School (United States), Nov 28, 2006 at 12:17

I am writing to voice concerns about Wadie Said's consideration for a faculty position at Wayne State University Law School, and the false allegations made against those who are objecting to his consideration.

Law students at Wayne State University experienced Mr. Said's extremism first hand at the student interview session, when he legitimized violence against Israel. In response to a question about acceptable means of Palestinian "resistance," Mr. Said stated that "...certain types of actions, armed actions, are not murder and they're not terrorism." He also admitted that he personally supports the calls to divest from Israel and disagrees with the public position taken by WSU President Reed.

Mr. Said was also a defense attorney for a co-defendant of Sami Al Arian. While defending an admitted Islamic Jihad member, Mr. Said used his representation as a platform to demonize Israel. He would not miss an attempt to do so in the classroom, where many of his students will undoubtedly be Jewish or supporters of Israel.

Another problematic aspect of Mr. Said, which is most relevant to his potential hiring at the law school is his extremely biased, and often times misleading scholarship documented in the letter sent by Standwithus to the University administration. Notwithstanding this bias (and other clear biases revealed in his own statements and his actions in the courtroom), Mr. Said aspires to teach classes that will give him a forum to voice his extremist views, such as: law in the Middle East, immigration law, and what he labeled the "so-called war on terrorism."

Claims of over reaction and accusations of racial profiling by Mr. Said's supporters are unjustified because they fail to recognize the legitimate basis for opposing Mr. Said's candidacy, and the disturbing campus environment Mr. Said would be contributing to. Jews and Israel supporters at WSU have faced an increasingly intimidating and at times isolating environment on campus, and Mr. Said's extremism will only fuel the fire of those groups on campus who are dedicated to and openly lobby for Israel's destruction.

I pray that a more suitable candidate is selected. I urge everyone who cares deeply about this issue to make your voices heard.

Wayne State University Law School Contacts:

Jonathan Weinberg - Head of faculty appointments committee: weinberg@wayne.edu

Frank Wu- Law school Dean: frankhwu@wayne.edu

Wayne State Law School Website: http://www.law.wayne.edu/index.asp?flash=true

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