An Open letter to Claremont-McKenna President Pam Gann,
As a parent of two students at the Claremont Colleges, I became rather interested in the multitude of accounts, now viral on the web, claiming that CMC is encouraging terrorism and anti-Semitism with the employment and now promotion of Professor Bassam Frangieh. According to the many well documented accusations easily found by Googling the Professor's name, Frangieh is an outspoken supporter of both the Hamas and the Hezbollah. He has signed petitions and given interviews supporting these groups who outwardly strive for the destruction of all Americans, Christians, Jews, and the only true democracy in the Middle East-Israel. In a school that prides itself on developing new leaders, is this the type of person to be molding these young bright minds? Of course not! Should this man be allowed to helm a satellite CMC campus in the Middle East, funded I understand by the Kuwaiti government? Hmmm?
I have written several emails to both you, President Gann, and Professor Frangieh asking you (or him) to refute these charges; - defend yourselves. I've done that because here in America, unlike under the rule of these terrorist groups Frangieh apparently supports, you are innocent until proven guilty. People here have the right to defend themselves. Over the course of more than a month, the only response I received from CMC (and by the way from neither you or Frangieh) was an email from an administrator saying that this is a "difficult situation." Simply put, it's hard to assume that these accusations are indeed anything but true when they are never publicly denied by your Office or Frangieh himself. Sadly, President Gann,it appears under your leadership Frangieh's hate-speech will continue to spread to the CMC students and faculty. In my last still unanswered email, I respectfully asked you to respond to just two things:??" 1) Does CMC support Mr Frangieh's endorsement and support for terrorist groups- Hamas and Hezbollah?? 2) If the man feels that these charges are unwarranted, why does he not do the school a favor and publicly denounce the Hamas and Hezbollah? "
I again received no reply.
Your failure to defend the school or to take action against Mr. Frangieh will only lead to a decrease in alumni support, tainting the name of Claremont-McKenna College (as well as the other four schools) while bringing to mind serious doubts about your leadership of the college.
If the college really does defend academic freedom as it claims, then why did CMC's Richard Rodner recently delete any mention of Frangieh's views from Wikipedia as still another claim reported on the web? The head of Hezbollah has said that he hopes all of the Jews gather in Israel so that they'll be easier to wipe out and Hezbollah has killed Christians and Jews as far away as Argentina. Does the CMC think it is appropriate to support this organization? Bassam Frangieh signed a petition saying he wants to boycott all of Israel and Israeli products. He is a racist as well. If another Professor outwardly professed his support of a group calling for the murder of all Muslims, or was an ardent supporter of the Ku Klux Klan I doubt they'd be promoted or still associated with CMC. Double-standard?
I will ask you again, if these accusations against Professor Frangieh are indeed lies, please come out publically in his defense. Have Frangieh publicly denounce these terrorist groups-immediately. Put this issue to bed! Otherwise you leave reputation of all the Claremont Colleges at risk and the Claremont community questioning your ability to keep CMC as a premier institution of higher education.
If these claims are false defend them publically. If they are true remove this man from campus!
Respectfully,
Leon Corcos
Tuition-paying Parent