Israeli Diplomat Discusses Mideast Politics, Salaita Controversy
Roey Gilad, Israeli Consul General to the Midwest (photo courtesy Israeli Consul General to the Midwest
Israel's top diplomat in the Midwest today weighed in on the political upheaval in his country and the challenges facing Israel both inside and outside of its borders. He also talked about the University of Illinois' board of trustees decision to rescind a job offer to Steven Salaita after the Palestinian-American professor made controversial remarks about Israel on Twitter.
Israel's parliament voted Wednesday to dissolve itself and set a date for new elections after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired two senior cabinet members. He said it was impossible to lead the country with the current government.
With political upheaval at home, Israel's Consul General to the Midwest spoke on the University of Illinois campus Wednesday evening.
Roey Gilad talked with Illinois Public Media's Scott Cameron about the challenges facing his country, what drove the current political upheaval and the controversy over Steven Salaita.