(Note: On 20 September 2010 Professor Geoffrey Alderman was invited to take part in a panel discussion [“Conflict in the Middle East”] as part of the Belfast Festival, held annually under the auspices of Queen’s University, Belfast; on 15 October, three days before the panel was due to meet, this invitation was withdrawn. Professor Alderman is the Michael Gross Professor of Politics & Contemporary History at the University of Buckingham, England. Further information about him may be found at: www.geoffreyalderman.com .)
See CiF Watch posts about the incident, here and here.
“CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST”
THE BELFAST FESTIVAL, 18 OCTOBER 2010
FURTHER STATEMENT BY PROFESSOR GEOFFREY ALDERMAN
The following further statement is issued by Professor Geoffrey Alderman:
On 28 October I received from the Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, Professor Peter Gregson, an email endorsing, on behalf of the University, the “full and unreserved apology” I had received orally from the Director of the Belfast Festival, Mr Graeme Farrow.
I have accepted this apology.
I can confirm that the events that resulted in my being “disinvited” from participation in a panel discussion [“Conflict in the Middle East”] that took place as part of the Belfast Festival on 18 October are being investigated by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in accordance with their procedures, and I await the outcome of this investigation.
I am grateful for the tremendous support I have received over this matter, especially from the Northern Ireland Friends of Israel, from Professor Lord Bew (of Queen’s University) and from Mr. Nelson McCausland, Northern Ireland’s Minister of Culture.
London 1 November 2010
