Professor David Dewitt of York University's Centre for International and Security Studies says "it was decided that it was appropriate for [the Centre] to withdraw" from hosting a lunch with Daniel Pipes of the Middle East Forum because "there was enough unease around the issue of Campus Watch," an academic Web site on Middle East issues (York Professors Shun Middle East Scholar, Jan. 24).
To cancel a luncheon address on such cowardly grounds is totally inappropriate, especially for a university. The spokesman for York's Jewish students, Zach Kaye, had it right when he said: "If you disagree with [Mr. Pipes], then you challenge him and ask him to defend his opinions. You don't shut him up." Out of the mouths of babes!
Christine Furedy, professor emerita, urban studies, York University; Leo Zakuta, professor emeritus, sociology, University of Toronto; John J. Furedy, professor, psychology, University of Toronto.