On September 30, 2000, the story of 12-year old Muhammad al-Dura inspired rage against Israel. French state television showed a boy cowering in fear beside his father, and alleged that he was intentionally killed by Israel Defense Forces.

French media analyst Philippe Karsenty dared to question the video’s authenticity, exposing a twenty-first century blood libel. The hoax fueled violence and suicide attacks against Jewish targets, and bolstered the anti-Israel propaganda machine.

For his defense of truth, Mr. Karsenty was charged in France with defamation, and fined $14,000. This despite a review of the raw footage that found the boy alive and unwounded in the final scenes, which were not broadcast. Today, Mr. Karsenty continues to battle in court, fighting what he calls a “miscarriage of justice.”

Mr. Karsenty will be in Colorado next weekend for two events:  a talk to be given at 7:30 pm on Saturday, November 15th at Denver’s Loup Jewish Community Center, 350 Dahlia St., Denver; and at 3:30 pm on Sunday, November 16th at a private home in Lone Tree.  At both events, Mr. Karsenty will provide an update on his mission for truth.

The Saturday night talk at the Loup JCC is entitled “Stop the Media Lies Now” referencing the Muhammad al-Dura hoax that Mr. Karsenty exposed to the world.  He will talk about the dangerous threat that the lies in the media are to democracies.  After his brief presentation he will answer questions as long as people are there to ask them. A $10 tax-deductible donation is requested to support Mr. Karsenty’s legal battles in France.

On Sunday afternoon, Mr. Karsenty will give an informal talk with Q and A and schmoozing.  Address to be given upon RSVP to lanadrennan@earthlink.net or 303-888-8490 for more information. A donation of $25 is requested.  In addition, there will be a small silent auction to raise funds for Mr. Karsenty’s legal defense.  The two main items are:

• An original LeRoy Neiman poster of the heavyweight championship fight between Larry Holmes and Earnie Shavers, autographed by all three.  The estimated value is $8,000+, with starting bids at $500.
• A DVD of the heavyweight championship fight between Muhammad Ali and Earnie Shavers with a photo of the fight signed by Muhammad Ali, valued at over $3,000, with a starting bid of $500.

Both items will be on display at both events.

Philippe Karsenty is vice mayor of Neuilly, and founder and president of Media Ratings, an online watchdog dedicated to holding the French media accountable.  Last year, Mr. Karsenty was named one of the “top 100 people influencing Jewish life” by The Algemeiner. He has been published and interviewed numerous times in the Middle East Quarterly, the Middle East Forum‘s flagship journal.

More information about Karsenty, the case around France 2 and al Dura can be found in this recent article from the July 24th, 2013 edition of the Jerusalem Post: French politician appeals to overturn libel conviction on al-Dura video.