Yakov M. Rabkin

Yakov M. Rabkin is a professor of history at the Université de Montréal, author and public intellectual. His book A Threat from Within: A Century of Jewish Opposition to Zionism was nominated for best French to English translation for "an important and timely work" at the 2006 Governor General's Awards.^[1] It has also been listed as one of the three best books of the year by Japan’s leading daily Asahi Shimbun in 2010.^[2] This book is currently available in twelve languages.

His book A Threat from Within: A Century of Jewish Opposition to Zionism has drawn both praise and criticism. While the book has been praised for its detailed examination of the history of opposition of Ultra-Othordox Jews to Zionism and its documentation of "ideas with which all Jews – secular to religious, anti-Zionist to Zionist – should be familiar" it has also been criticised for its "combative writing style and a selective use of history." One critic wrote that: "Rabkin can't resist from widely citing people who name-call and painting all Zionists as evil" and that this style of writing "diminishes the credibility of his argument."^[3][4] Rabkin fails to account for the astonishingly low support he enjoys in the Jewish orthodox community; for a book claiming to represent traditional Judaism Rabkin's outlook should of enjoyd the support of radical fringes of the orthodox community. Furthermore, lacking Rabbinic training and support, it is hard to imagine on what sources Rabkin is drawing. While there is no question that he does portray the outlook of the extreme Satmar community, one would need more than that to back a claim arguing it represents mainstream traditional Judaism.

His other published works include studies of relations between science and technology,^[5] research on cultural aspects of science,^[6] including studies of Jews in the scientific profession,^[7]Science Between the Superpowers (Priority Press), a study of programs for the exchange of U.S and Soviet Union scientists,^[8] as well as works on the fate of Soviet science^[9] and scientists^[10] after the dismemberment of the USSR and, more generally, on science and political freedoms.^[11] Over the course of his career, he has given several hundred public lectures to academic and general audiences in over thirty countries.

On July 11, 2007, Rabkin joined Montreal lawyers and academics in publishing an opinion piece in Le Devoir demanding an explanation from McGill University for the dismissal of religious studies lecturer Norman Cornett.^[12]

In May 2010, Rabkin defended the group Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QUAIA), stating that "It is critical for the survival of our freedoms to resist the efforts of the "Israel-first" Zionists to censor free speech" and that QUAIA's activism is "uncomfortable for Israel's apologists in this country." He added that "One may sympathize with Israel fans in this country who find it hard to present the state of Israel in an attractive light. By campaigning to ban the QUAIA, they only confirm what many have long suspected: that Israel is indeed an apartheid state."^[13]

In a conversation with Alan Hart, Hart later stated that he had asked Rabkin "Is it reasonable to say that the Jews of the world now have a choice to make? either to reaffirm their commitment to Judaism and renounce Zionism, or to reaffirm or affirm their commitment to Zionism and renounce Judaism?” Hart stated that Rabkin simply responded "Yes!”^[14]

Rabkin largely rejects the concept of a two-state solution for the Israel/Palestine conflict, and has expressed strong support for a bi-national state.^[13]

Rabkin's support for Israel apprathied week as well as his close affiliation with anti Israeli Muslim groups raise difficult questions about his agendas.

• Interview at Jerusalem Post
• Q & A at Haaretz

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