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Enclosed is also a sample protest letter by the Israeli peace and anti nuclear activist Gideon Spiro.

The 2005 Nobel Prize for Economics

To The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences:

We, the undersigned, protest your decision to award the 2005 Nobel Prize in Economic to Professors Robert J. Aumann and Thomas C. Schelling. The Academy's reasoning that these persons have "enhanced our understanding of conflict and cooperation through game-theory analysis" is monstrous. In fact, the Academy has awarded the prize to two warmongers.

Schelling's theory encourages the coercive use of military force, used to induce desired behavior in an adversary, rather than simply to destroy the enemy's military capacity. His ideas were the direct inspiration for US strategy in Vietnam, of indiscriminantly bombing the North in order to persuade Ho Chi Minh to stop supporting the Vietcong in the South [see www.slate.com/id/2127862]. This strategy resulted in 2 million civilian deaths and was a complete failure in realizing its objectives.

Aumann uses his analysis to justify the Israeli Occupation and the oppression of the Palestinians. Neither of these individuals has contributed anything that improves the human condition; rather, they have contributed to the misery of millions.

Aumann characterizes the recent evacuation of Israeli settlers from Gaza Strip as "expulsion" and Ariel Sharon's policies as influenced by a dangerous rush to achieve peace. Aumann is a veteran member of the far-right think tank, Professors for a Strong Israel, the first principle of which is:

The Land of Israel is the Homeland of the Jewish People: Judea, Samaria, Gaza, and the Golan Heights are integral parts of the Land of Israel. Every Jew has an inherent right to live in security and under Israeli sovereignty in any part of this Land. We are categorically opposed to yielding control of any part of the Land of Israel to any foreign entity.

This is a proven recipe for bloodshed. It is a principle in opposition to a just resolution of the horrific conflict that is destroying both Palestinian and Israeli societies. In supporting this, Aumann advocates violating international law and disregarding overwhelming international consensus. According to Aumann's game-theory, the longer Israel waits, the more concessions the Palestinians will be forced to make In other words, Israel should forestall any political negotiation that might lead to a just peace.

This criminal and dangerous school of thought should not be honoured. It should be condemned.

You should reverse your decision to reward Professors Schelling and Aumann. We request that you find people who have truly advanced the health and welfare of human, as has always been the intention of the Nobel prize.

Signed,

Please send similar mails to the Royal Swedish Academy of science

—–Original Message—–
From: Gideon Spiro
Sent: 12 October, 2005 7:19 PM
To: 'evak@kva.se'
Subject: Nobel prize

To: Eva Krutmeiger
Royal Swedish Academy of science
Head of information office

Dear Eva Krutmeiger,

Does the Nobel committee for economics (or any other category) consider only the scientific data of the candidate and disregard any other aspects of his or her activity?

In other words, can, for example, a racist or a Holocaust denier receive the Nobel prize even if he/she is very talented in his/her scientific field?

I'm asking this questions regarding Robert Auman from Israel. He support the settlement policy in the occupied west bank which is a war crime according to the Geneva and Rome conventions; He support the apartheid regime which Israel established in the Palestinian west bank; He support the buildup of the Israeli nuclear arsenal which amount to the mad number of few hundred atom and hydrogen bombs (a danger not only to Israel and the Middle East but to the whole world).

His racist views receiving now an impressive boost in endless media interviews due to the high prestige of being a Nobel laureate.

After I read the biography of Alfred Nobel and his will in your internet site, allow me to say with all modesty, that his ideas and especially the spirit of his ideas, contradict awarding the prize to professor Auman.

I don't know if you have a proceeding of reconsider the award after announcing it (but before the ceremony). If so, it would be in accordance with Alfred Nobel legacy to think again before the ceremony take place.

Please convey my remarks to the committee members.

I'll appreciate your answer.

With respect
Gideon Spiro
Journalist
(Also a peace and anti nuclear activist)