(Photo: Getty)

Ever since Brooklyn College's political science department made the controversial decision to co-sponsor a forum promoting BDS--boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel--New York City's elected officials have thoroughly condemned them and even hinted that the publicly-funded institution could suffer financial consequences as a result. At a press conference today on Hurricane Sandy relief, however, Mayor Michael Bloomberg passionately defended the university's right to sponsor the event.

"I couldn't disagree more violently with BDS," Mr. Bloomberg explained. "As you know, I'm a big supporter of Israel--as big of a one as I think you can find in the city. But I could also not agree more strongly with an academic department's right to sponsor a forum on any topic that they choose. If you want to go to a university where the government decides what kind of subjects are fit for discussion, I suggest you apply to a school in North Korea."

Mr. Bloomberg further argued that any funding decision made based on this controversy would set a dangerous precedent, ultimately leading to the destruction of the public university system.

"The last thing we need is for members of our City Council or State Legislature to be micromanaging the kinds of programs that our public universities run and base funding decisions on the political views of professors. I can't think of anything that would be more destructive to a university and its students," he said. "The freedom to discuss ideas--including ideas that people find repugnant--lies really at the heart of the university system. Take that away and the higher education in this country would certainly die."

Clearly on an argumentative roll, Mr. Bloomberg last claimed the pro-Israel advocates had actually undermined their own cause by giving so much attention to the forum.

"If you want to promote views that you find abhorrent, this is exactly the way to do it. What the protesters have done is given a lot of attention to the very idea they keep saying they don't want people to talk about!" he exclaimed. "They just don't think before they open their mouths. The best way to popularize an idea or book or a movie is just to get someone to ban it. All you have to do is take a look at the history of communism and see that. ... If they just shut up, it would have gone away! It would be a bunch of kids on a campus. Nobody would have gone to listen to them and nobody [would have] seen it. Now they've created the very monster that they say they're opposed to."

"Shames on Brooklyn College Support of Jew-Hatred"

The Israel-Palestine conflict once again reached New York's political scene today as elected officials and other activists gathered to denounce Brooklyn College's political science department for their controversial decision to sponsor a February forum calling for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel.  To say the press conference was heated would be an understatement as it was chocked full of charged rhetoric including multiple references to anti-Semitism, the Holocaust and al-Qaeda.

"Let me tell you, it brings back a lot of memories," Assemblyman Dov Hikind, the emcee of today's denunciation, began. "I studied here towards my B.A. and got my Master's at Brooklyn College, a lot of very fond memories. I stand here very, very disappointed, ... students and the organization [are] holding a lecture next week with two viciously, viciously, anti-Israel [speakers]. And when I say 'viciously,' I mean they call for the destruction of the state of Israel. They think Hamas and Hezbollah are good organizations. I would assume they feel the same way about al-Qaeda. These are individuals who are extreme radicals."

Mr. Hikind and his fellow elected officials were not calling for the forum itself to be canceled, however. Their issue was the school, which is part of the publicly-funded City University of New York system, sponsoring the event. Though college representatives have denied the school's sponsorship indicates an endorsement of the forum's views, that argument was not accepted by the various officials at today's rally.

Councilman David Greenfield, labeling the forum as part of a "hate-filled, antisemitic, pro-terrorist movement," even brought out his dictionary to counter the college's defense of the forum.

"This is the United States of America, if you want to be a racist, if you want to be an anti-Semite and even if you want to speak out in favor of terrorism, we respect that you have the right to do that. Of course, you're wrong, but you have the right to do that and should have the right to do that on a college campus," Mr. Greenfield explained. "The problem is--and this is what's oh-so-very-offensive to me--is when the administration turns around and says, 'Well, we're not endorsing these views, we're simply sponsoring the event.' I mean, it's a little bit shocking, honestly. ... The word 'sponsorship' according to the dictionary means 'one who who vouches or is responsible for another thing.' So it really is intellectually dishonest."

Others at the event invoked Nazi Germany and the Klan as they attacked Brooklyn College for its sponsorship of the forum.

"As a child of Holocaust survivors, I will not remain silent," Assemblyman Steve Cymbrowitz declared.

"If David Duke were here, I'm sure President Gould would be outside protesting as well. This is not just an academic exercise on the part of the political science trying to teach some political science," Assemblyman Alan Maisel added. "The destruction of Israel has real consequences. That would mean that the millions of people living in Israel would not have a state. It means that it would be open house on all of the people who live there. We are talking about the potential of a second Holocaust."

Today's event also drew a leading mayoral candidate, former Comptroller Bill Thompson, who described the upcoming event at the college as a "forum of hate."

"We all stand here in support of free speech. We believe in being able to express your opinion. We believe in students being able to express their opinions. We believe in different points of view," Mr. Thompson announced. "It's what makes this country so great. You can express your opinion. So let me express an opinion against that. This organization is one that expresses hate, that expresses opposition to Israel. I have the right to stand here, and oppose that organization. ... You have the right to express an opinion just like we do. But you do not have have a right, and should not put, the name of Brooklyn College, the name of the political science department, on that forum of hate."

Speaking on behalf of the school about today's press conference, Brooklyn College spokesman Jeremy Thompson dismissed the controversy over the forum as simply different groups expressing opposing views.

"As far as the press conference being held, my only comment is, just like we stand behind our students and faculty who have a right to present views and discuss topics they see as important, so do the assemblymen," Mr. Thompson told Politicker when reached for comment. "They are well within their right to voice their views, just as everyone in our college community is."

Despite all of the angry rhetoric, Mr. Hikind wrapped up the event by suggesting the officials in attendance could have been much harsher in their condemnation of Brooklyn College.

"You've heard the calmest presentation today [from] people who care deeply about Israel. They're not calling here to cancel the event. That's not what they're saying! Boy! How calm and reasonable is that?" the assemblyman exclaimed as he made his final points. "It should not be sponsored by the university itself because that means my dollars are paying for that event and I'm not interested in paying for hate. ... They're giving the seal of approval, they're making it kosher. It's not a kosher event."

Additional reporting by Ross Barkan.

Mitt Romney (Photo: Getty)

This afternoon the Obama campaign held a conference call to highlight the high-profile controversies that occurred during Mitt Romney's recent world tour. On the call, Obama For America senior advisor and former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Colin Kahl suggested Mr. Romney failed "the commander in chief test" when he angered British politicians by questioning London's readiness for the Olympic Games and when he upset Palestinians by saying the "power" of "culture" could explain the economic disparities between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

"He both offended our closest ally and triggered a troubling reaction in the most sensitive region of the world," said Mr. Gibbs. "He certainly didn't prove to anyone that he passed the commander in chief test."

Mr. Kahl suggested the gaffes on this trip showed Mr. Romney isn't ready to deal with "our enemies."

"If Romney can't handle our special relationship with the British...what's going to happen when he has to deal with our enemies or has to deal with really tough situations?" Mr. Kahl asked. "It's not that Romney struck out against a major league pitcher. I mean, here he struck out playing tee ball. This should have been easy and it wasnt for him, apparently."

Mr. Gibbs said there was "simply no comparison" between the way Mr. Romney conducted himself on his foreign trip and the way President Barack Obama handled his global campaign swing in 2008. Specifically, Mr. Gibbs criticized Mr. Romney's remarks on the trip for being poorly executed and lacking substance. He also cited the lack of press access to Mr. Romney during his international voyage.

"He went to three countries and took a grand total of three quest from his traveling press," Mr. Gibbs said.

Mr. Gibbs also noted Mr. Romney didn't visit with American troops during his foreign campaign trip as President Obama did in 2008.

"I among many were surprised that Mitt Romney did not take any opportunity to meet with Americans serving in our armed forces on his trip," said Mr. Gibbs.

Overall, Mr. Gibbs described Mr. Romney's world tour as an "embarrassing disaster."

"Every day that you run as a challenger to an incumbent president you are auditioning for the role of President of the United States and, internationally, as commander in chief," Mr. Gibbs said. "It is clear that the opportunity to credential his beliefs with the American voters was nothing short for Mitt Romney of an embarrassing disaster on this trip."

Romney campaign spokesman Ryan Williams responded to the Obama campaign conference call with a statement blasting President Obama's foreign policies.

“Mitt Romney will be a president who unapologetically stands up for America and the enduring values of freedom. President Obama has weakened America’s position in the world and frayed relationships with our closest allies--all while earning effusive praise from the likes of Hugo Chavez," Mr. Williams said. "Governor Romney has laid out a foreign policy that will strengthen our interests, ensure our security, and let our friends know they have a partner in the White House.”