by Jon Lackman | 18 September 2006 | Uncategorized
We received the following email from Jonathan Gillis of the Aaronsohn Sher Aboulafia Amoday & Co. Law Offices in Jerusalem, regarding our recent post on Gannit Ankori (whom he represents):
“Dear Sirs
Re: Libelous attacks and harrassment by Kamal Boullata of Gannit Ankori
I would ask that you act immediately to correct the erroneous impression created by an item published on your web journal relating to Gannit Ankori (dated 14 September). The case, in fact, concerns a premeditated and sustained campaign of false and libelous statements conducted against Professor Ankori in various media and under various guises (the latest being the blogs to which your item unwittingly provides links) by one Kamal Boullata. None of the statements made by Mr. Boullata about Prof. Ankori’s alleged ‘plagiarism’ has any basis in fact, and appear to be part of a vindictive personal vendetta against her by Mr Boullata, intended to cause her the greatest harm, both professionally and personally. The ease with which such a campaign may be conducted – and reputations thereby potentially ruined – by means of such internet websites and blogs, makes it all the more necessary that bona fide and reputable websites/blogs such as your own ensure the veracity of information published, and, where mistakes are made, ensure these are immediately corrected. The idle reference (and provision of links) to websites of doubtful credence, quoting verbatim the “accusation” and “charges” of plagiarism, when the matter, as you declare in the item, is unknown to you, is merely irresponsible.
For the record, Professor Ankori’s book, Palestinian Art, the result of two decades of painstaking research, has received international acclaim by art experts and lay persons alike. The allegations made by Mr Boullata relating to various pages in the book have been thoroughly investigated, both by Ms. Ankori’s publishers and respected art historians, and found to be without foundation. The continued harrassment of Professor Ankori by Mr Boullata on this matter, and the libelous repetition of such allegations, including in fora such as your own, is currently the subject of legal action. I would therefore ask that you publish a clear correction in your newsletter in line with the above, whether by publication of this letter in full or by any other satisfactory means.
kind regards
Jonathan Gillis”
