Kahane Speaks at USC After Months of Delay

Militant Rabbi Meir Kahane finally got a chance to speak at USC on Monday, to a group of about 65 people, while protesters outside compared him to Adolf Hitler because of his controversial plan to expel Arabs from all Israeli-held territories.

Kahane, the American-born leader of Israel’s nationalistic Kach movement, had first been scheduled to speak on campus last November. But USC officials cancelled the visit, fearing his presence could incite violence. He was invited to speak Monday after security arrangements were made.

Kahane’s speech centered on an attack on “Jewish liberals” who believe that Jews and Arabs can coexist in the Middle East. But the former Israeli Knesset member told his audience in Hancock Auditorium that he was not a racist, adding: “Racism states that any group or people are permanently inferior to mine. I say that any Arab who wishes to become Jewish can become Jewish.”