Dr. Phyllis Chesler

Dr. Phyllis Chesler

Articles by Dr. Phyllis Chesler

Iranians, Israel-Haters Dominate Pro-Nuke Deal ‘Experts’ Letter

The National Iranian American Council organized the letter signed by seventy-three “international scholars” who favor the treaty—no, the deal—no, the deal with secret asides—no, the run-around Congress—no, President Obama’s cynical fait accompli—between Iran and America.

Obama AOK AP Photo

World’s Yezidis Rally for International Community to Stop ISIS Genocide in Iraq

The Yezidis are holding worldwide rallies and Memorial Services tomorrow in Oldenberg, Germany; on August 2nd in Lalish, Iraq (the Yezidi spiritual heartland), and in France; and on August 3rd in Geneva, Armenia, Berlin, and in cities in Sweden, Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and the United States (Lincoln, Nebraska; Houston, Texas; and perhaps Buffalo, New York).

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Save the Iraqi Yezidis from Genocide!

The Yezidis are now on the move. This has been secretly planned for months. What we now have is a potentially mass exodus from ISIS-controlled Iraq. They have reason to believe that Bulgaria will grant them asylum. However, Turkey, which they must enter and exit on their way to Bulgaria, is giving them trouble.

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Injustice as Usual: Malala Assassins Secretly Acquitted in Pakistan

The Pakistani courtroom proceedings were secret. Despite what reporters were previously told this past April (that ten men had been convicted), Pakistani authorities secretly acquitted eight of the men charged with conspiracy and attempted murder in the case of teenager Malala Yousafzai, who was targeted because she wanted girls to receive an education.

The Associated Press

Hijab on the Job and America’s Legal Rejection of Neutrality in Religious Matters

On June 1st, the Supreme Court “reversed and remanded” Samantha Elauf’s high profile lawsuit concerning her right to wear a hijab at work back to the Tenth Circuit’s appeals court for further proceedings. Elauf, represented by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, had been awarded $20,000 by a jury at the trial level; that award was vacated by the appeals court. Now, when the appeals court revisits the case, they may reinstate that jury award.

AFP Photo / Robyn Beck

On the Front Lines for Israel and the Jews Book Excerpt: The Brownshirts of Our Time

On Saturday evening, November 8, 2003, I addressed a free-standing feminist “networking” conference of mainly African-American and Hispanic-American women at Barnard College. The conference was sponsored by WERISE (Women Empowered through Revolutionary Ideas Supporting Enterprise), which was described as a grassroots, multi-cultural, multi-generational, and multi-disciplinary organization for women in the arts. The women ranged in age from 20 to 65 and were dressed in corporate business suits, colorful African and ethnic attire, and youthful jeans.

Phyllis author photo with credit

Romeo and Juliet: Brutally Beaten To Death and Burned Before a Mob in India

Earlier this week, an Indian man, Jairam Manjhi, aged either 36 or 25, and Parvati Kumari, a 16-year-old girl related to her lover’s wife, were kidnapped by the girl’s family and brutally beaten to death; the girls’ family publicly burned their corpses while 100 villagers stood by and watched the entire grisly episode.

Reuters

Female Muslim Author Beaten, Sent to Mental Hospital After Praising Rushdie

Zainub Priya Dala, a South African Muslim author and psychologist, was “violently attacked for expressing admiration for Salman Rushdie” the day after praising the author. After countless phoned-in threats to recant, Dala was placed under psychiatric care in which she was “drugged until I could not walk” and advised to adopt a proper Muslim lifestyle.

South African Author ZP Dala

Professor Takes Medical Leave After Pro-Israel Facebook Post Leads to ‘Vicious Hate Mail’ Campaign

Andrew Pessin, Professor of Philosophy at Connecticut College, is the latest casualty in the campus-based culture wars. Dr. Pessin is a well-liked and much published professor, self-described as the “only Jewish professor on campus who openly advocates for Israel.” And now, for remarks made during last summer’s Gaza war, he faces an attack from Palestinian supporters seeking to silence pro-Israel stances on campus.

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On Women’s Rights, Hillary Clinton’s Career Defined by Inaction

Former Madam Secretary, Senator, and First Lady Hillary Clinton has used the issue of women’s rights—and the desire of many Americans to see a woman in the top job—to realize her ambition for more and more power. But what has she actually done for women, locally or globally?

Zoraida Diaz/REUTERS

Netanyahu Speech Unites Congress– and Diminishes Obama

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a passionate, inspiring, thoughtful, and “game changing” speech before the American Congress which lasted for about 45 minutes, during which time he was applauded 43 times, often for 15 seconds at a time. His words elicited many standing ovations.

AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Feminist Muslims Fight Female Genital Mutilation’s Growing Popularity in Malaysia

As Islam conquered what was formerly a Christian Middle East; what was formerly a Hindu, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, and Christian Central Asia (India, Persia, Afghanistan, parts of Russia); what was formerly a pagan, animist and Christian Africa; Islam also conquered what was formerly a Hindu and Buddhist Indonesia and Malaysia.

AP Photo

French Icon Brigitte Bardot’s Blasphemy Against Muslims

Former film star Brigitte Bardot, France’s iconic blonde bombshell and “sex kitten” who reigned supreme from 1952 – 1973, is currently on trial for the fifth time for insulting Muslims and “inciting racial hatred.” Bardot has been fined four times and has also received suspended jail sentences.

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Just Who Has to Adjust in the Name of Tolerance?

Brookings Institution Center for Middle East Policy Fellow Shadi Hamid recently criticized the West as “illiberal” for refusing to accept the fact that Muslims, both in the West and globally, are different from Westerners.

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Indonesia Does Away With ‘Virginity Tests’ For High School Girls After Public Outcry

Sanity has just prevailed in Muslim-majority Indonesia. An attempt to impose virginity tests on female high school students in the city of Jember has failed. A public outcry, led by human rights groups, as well as by Indonesia’s Muslim clerics, has led to the rescinding of a virginity requirement for girls-only in high school. Non-virgins would not have been entitled to their diplomas.

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