Middle East studies in the News

Saudis Suppressing Study of Terrorism-Financing? [on Khalid bin Mafouz lawsuit involving Cambridge U Press]

by Candace de Russy
Phi Beta Cons (NRO)
August 2, 2007

http://phibetacons.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MTA1YzViODhhYjFiNDBhMWJkZGYyMmMzMDA1ODE0NmI=

http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/3790

Cambridge University Press has agreed to do away with all unsold copies of a book by American authors, "Alms for Jihad," in the wake of a libel action brought against it in the UK.

Gary Shapiro cites critics who see this development as a move by Saudis to suppress discussion of their alleged role in aiding terrorism.

Daniel Pipes says that Cambridge University Press's action has "ominous implications" into researching the financing of terrorism.

Deborah Lipstadt calls it a "frightening development," adding that the Saudis are

"systematically, case by case, book by book" challenging anything critical of them or anything that linked them to terrorism. She said that she could not think of any publisher that would now accept a manuscript critical of the Saudis. "This affects not only authors but readers," she said, adding that "ideas are being chased out of the marketplace."

Rachel Ehrenfeld states that Cambridge University Press "capitulated" and "didn't even try to fight."

Note: Articles listed under "Middle East studies in the News" provide information on current developments concerning Middle East studies on North American campuses. These reports do not necessarily reflect the views of Campus Watch and do not necessarily correspond to Campus Watch's critique.

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