Transcript quotes Al-Arian's comments at rallies [Excerpt] TAMPA -- A transcript made from videotapes the FBI seized from controversial University of South Florida professor Sami Al-Arian's home seven years ago quote him at conferences saying "Death to Israel" and referring to Jews as "monkeys and pigs."
The transcript is an English translation of Al-Arian and several other Palestinian leaders speaking in Arabic at pro-Palestinian rallies in various U.S. cities from 1988 to 1992. The video footage depicts snippets from each conference and runs about 13 minutes, culled from about 1,500 hours of videotape evidence seized during FBI raids in 1995. [End Excerpt]
The Times and Sami Al-Arian
Al-Arian's story tests our sense of fair play*** Over the weekend, the smoke that shrouds USF professor Sami Al-Arian thickened. Unidentified Israeli intelligence officials said in the Tampa Tribune that he was among the founders of the board that governs the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Al-Arian denied it. For years here, I've defended Al-Arian's right to speak and act. But I have to admit that these allegations have shaken my faith in him. Speaking up for a political cause he believes in is one thing. Being one of the guiding lights of a terrorist group is entirely another. The Israelis making the charges did not want to be identified. The Tribune story said they wouldn't turn over the evidence to its reporter. ***