Toaff: Why I Pulled My Book on the Blood Libel
Gabriel Sanders is reporting that Ariel Toaff has pulled his book on the blood libel and pledged any proceeds to the Anti-Defamation League. Here is the embattled professor’s statement….
February 13, 2007
PERSONAL ANNOUNCEMENT
By PROF. ARIEL TOAFF
In light of the false and distorted interpretation given to my recently published book around the world, I have requested the Italian publishing house, “El Molino” — the publishers of my book — to immediately stop further distribution of the book, in order that I may re-edit those passages in the book which comprised the basis of the distortions and falsehoods that have been published in the media. I was astounded by the sheer force of these misrepresentations, which turned what is a research book into a vehicle used to harm Judaism and the Jewish people and, g-d forbid, to justify blood libel.
I feel indirectly responsible for the recent events which have transpired, and in order to express my profound sorrow for the distortions that were attributed to me and which hurt the Jewish people, I have decided to donate all the funds forthcoming from the sale of this publication to further the activities of the Anti-Defamation League. I will never allow any Jew-hater to use me or my research as an instrument for fanning the flames, once again, of the hatred that led to the murder of millions of Jews. To this end, I have reached the conclusion that it is my duty to stop this awful witch hunt. I extend my sincerest apologies to all those who were offended by the articles and twisted facts that were attributed to me and to my book.
In order to remove any shadow of doubt, and prevent the continuation of these horrible distortions, I have decided to ask my publisher to stop the book’s distribution, so that I can insert the requisite clarifications as speedily as possible. I am taking these steps in order to prevent the further mis-use of my book as anti-semitic propanda.
THANK YOU FOR PUBLISHING THE CONTENTS OF THIS PERSONAL ANNOUNCEMENT, IN A SPIRIT THAT WILL BRING TO RECTIFICATION OF THE DISTORTIONS
Sincerely
Prof. Ariel Toaff
A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.
If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
