Friday, May 6, 2011

City University of New York blocks Tony Kushner honor over criticism of Israel

kushner

Playwright Tony Kushner

For the second time in just six months, the City University of New York has become embroiled in scandal over the politics of the Israel-Palestine conflict. This week, the CUNY board of trustees blocked an attempt by one of its member colleges to award an honorary degree to the celebrated playwright Tony Kushner, who is also a prominent Jewish critic of Israel's treatment of the Palestinians.

A request by John Jay College to award Kushner an honorary degree was tabled on Monday night after one CUNY board member criticized -- and, Kushner argues, distorted -- the playwright's past statements on Israel. That effectively killed the honor, at least for this year, because the board isn't scheduled to meet again until after graduation in June.

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