Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA

Adir Zik had a profound understanding and appreciation of democratic values
and the critical importance of freedom of speech and citizen participation
in public debate of critical issues of the day.

Zik was one of the founders of Israeli television and produced and directed
many early Israeli television programs as well as documentaries and
continued to work in that area throughout his life.

Zik also played an important role via his extremely popular weekly program
on the nationalist camp's Arutz Sheva - a station that broadcast from a boat
outside of Israel's territorial waters (something akin to Abie Nathan's
"Voice of Peace" except that Nathan's boat dropped anchor most of the time
well within Israel's territorial waters next to Tel Aviv and while Israeli
authorities did their best to prosecute and persecute Arutz Sheva, they
praised and essentially ignored the legal aspects of the "Voice of Peace"
operation).

Zik shared his sharp criticism of Oslo in his weekly broadcasts. Remarks
that in retrospect usually underestimated the dangers and consequences of
Oslo.

Zik also detailed efforts by Israeli authorities to both silence and defame
Oslo opponents, exposing the activities of Shabak agent Avishai Raviv.
Raviv produced many of the "radical right" incidents that became such vital
elements in the media "package" defaming Oslo opponents that even when their
nature was exposed they were still typically included in broadcasts.

And yes. Zik raised a series of questions relating to the details of the
Rabin assassination.

Committee member Saar Netanel (Meretz) said he had been shocked to discover
Zik's name was up for consideration. "This is a man who engaged in open and
grave incitement against the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, and many
others," he said.

Netanel no doubt had no problem with standing with posters calling Arik
Sharon a murderer.

He also had no problem with similarly rough treatment by Leftst protesters
against Begin and others in the national camp

And he certainly was willing to overlook incredibly terrible remarks by
Palestinian "peace partners".

But, then again, one must not forget the Leftist definition of "pluralism":
the obligation of others of accept the validity of what I think and do.

And democracy: the primacy of the decision of the majority of the public
that embraces democratic values - where "democratic values" = agree with
me.]

Jerusalem may name street after Adir Zik
Municipal street names committee to discuss proposal to name one of
capital's streets after late Arutz Sheva DJ who supported claims that Rabin
assassination was a conspiracy
Ronen Medzini YNET Published: 10.15.08, 22:31 / Israel News
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3609347,00.html

Jerusalem's municipal advisory committee on naming streets has proposed that
one of the capital's streets be named after the late right-wing radio DJ
Adir Zik, a recommendation that has many up in arms as Zik was a leading
proponent of the existence of a vast conspiracy theory surrounding the
assassination of late-Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

The proposal to honor one of Arutz Sheva's top celebrities was put forward
by Deputy Mayor Shmuel Shkedi (National Religious Party). The municipal
committee is scheduled to convene in a week's time to discuss the proposed
recommendations, the majority of which it usually accepts.

Committee member Saar Netanel (Meretz) said he had been shocked to discover
Zik's name was up for consideration. "This is a man who engaged in open and
grave incitement against the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, and many
others," he said.

"Naming of a street after him is a slap in the face to democracy, it rewards
violence and incitement." Netanel added that he intends to take legal action
against the proposal.

Zik's name is one of 30 the committee will debate. The list includes, among
others, the late Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat and late Education
Minister Zevulun Hammer.

The municipality said in response that "any Israeli citizen has the right to
submit a name to the committee. The committee has not yet convened to
discuss this issue, and obviously any decision will take into account Zik's
problematic statements."