Family targeted by Lee Kaplan speaks out

My last post on Lee Kaplan mentioned "a recent action of his that is too horrible to share."  But given the latest developments, it can now be discussed. 

Last month, in his hysterical campaign against the International Solidarity Movement, Kaplan hit a new low (even for himself, and that's saying a lot), and published a confidential plea from a misguided but loving father who was concerned about his son's involvement with the ISM.  Going directly against the wishes of the father and wreaking havoc on a family, by publishing his emails, Kaplan shows that there are no bounds to his visceral and illogical hatred of the ISM and the lengths he will go to in order to attack it. 

But those used and abused by Kaplan are now speaking up.  Brian Malovany and his father, Robert Malovany, have responded to Kaplan's ruthless attack, and I publish their words here, with their permission. Lee Kaplan Watch has also posted this, and others should spread the word about it, too.

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Hello,

My name is Brian Malovany, and I am a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement. Until the murder of Rachel Corrie, I had not heard of the ISM, but since then I have done everything I could to support the non-violent resistance of the Palestinian people against the Israeli occupation and ethnic cleansing, and I am proud to do so. I have been lucky to visit Palestine twice in the past 2 years, and I have made many friends as a result, Palestinians, Israelis and Internationals. The work of ISM and countless other groups in Palestine/Israel is not easy or without risk, but it is incredibly important; such as demonstrating against the theft of land in Bil'in, working with medical teams in Balata refugee camp retrieving murdered Palestinians from their homes, or walking children to school in the Tel Rumeida neighborhood of Hebron, where they are harassed by racist and violent Israeli settlers.

That said, working with ISM has not come without a price. As in many other Jewish-American families, the issue of Palestine/Israel is a very divisive and painful one, an issue which is surrounded by a web of fear, hysteria and ignorance. Despite being the only member of my immediate family to have ever visited there, it is still very difficult to get across to them just how incredible my experiences there have been. Along with such issues of politics and Jewish identity, my family has had its share of difficulties and clashes, like many other families. It is obvious that we all need to learn to listen to each other, accept each other's differences, and to never lose hold of the love that we all share.

Although Lee Kaplan and his ilk take great pride in smearing us and writing their lies on the internet, it is of no real consequence; he is a truly pitiful man that almost no one takes seriously, including me. I had always thought that, no matter how blinded by his support for Israel my father becomes, he would be able to see clearly the racism and stupidity in Lee Kaplan's "investigative journalism." Unfortunately, that was not the case, but he now knows just what a dishonorable and untrustworthy man that he is.

Since nothing can be retracted from the internet, I offer my father's apology for the record, for what it is worth. To all who have supported me in this debacle, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

in solidarity,
Brian Malovany

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Dear Brian,

What can I say?

The Kaplan letter was a mistake to put it mildly.  I had every reason to believe that my communication was going to be private and confidential.  I was betrayed.  I was used.

Yet, I bear total responsibility for what happened.  I should have known better.  I exercised faulty judgement and I regret this.  It was never my intent to hurt you or to be cruel to you.  You do not deserve this.

But at lest it gives me the opportunity to say things to you that I should have been saying regularly for a long time.  Brian, I love you.  I love you more than I love my life.   A day does not go by that I don't think about you and worry about you.  Of course that I worry about you is not your responsibilty.  Parents worry about their children, it goes with the territory.  But I think I have carried this worrying to an irrational and unhealthy extent. Since the Kaplan stuff came out, I have not slept and have been deeply upset at my helplessness  to make everything right.  I guess this will take some time.  I don't know what else to do.  But remember again, that your mother and I have not ever rejected you, we love you dearly. You always have a home here with us if you should ever need it.  We are there for you.

I love you Brian. I may not have shown this as well as I should have, but please know that it is true and it will always be true.

Love,
Dad

Comments

[scott]

I know some might miss the delightful personality Emanuel Appel who has been excreting his hateful, racist filth here and has since been banned.

But you can always find him here:

Figaro Tours
855 43rd Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94121
Primary Contact:
Mr. Emanuel Appel, Owner
Phone: 415-386-0314
Fax: 206-600-6842
URL: www.figarotours.com
Email: irgun43@mindspring.com

Apparently he does walking tours of the city. I wonder if for a little extra he'll spit on every Arab you pass on your walk.

[Anti-LGF]

Are you serious Scott? Which software did you use to track the mofo?

[scott]

I didn't use any software. I just put his name and email in Google - both are the same that he uses for his business.

[Maimonedes]

Did Lee Kaplan put Brian Malovanys father's words in his mouth? I read the father's letter and its clear he thinks his son is a little shit who betrayed other family members in Israel. Smearing Kaplan for revealing the disgust of a father of a son who runs with the ISM will not change anything. This entry proves the letter from Malovanys father was genuine. Anyone thinking Ted Kacinzski?