LAS VEGAS, May 10 - After Professor Stephen Hawking recently decided to withdraw from the Israeli President's Conference, Rael, leader and founder of the International Raelian Movement (IRM), decided to award him the title "Honorary Guide of Humanity."
Hawking reportedly withdrew from the conference to support an academic boycott against Israel that is being enacted to protest that nation's occupation of Palestine.
"Here is one of the greatest minds on Earth, showing the way for all to follow," Rael said of Hawking, in a statement released today by the IRM.
Rael's Honorary Guide title is bestowed upon only a few people, each of whom has dedicated his or her life to the betterment of humanity on Earth, no matter what the cost to career or personal well being. Past Honorary Guides include Ramsey Clark, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Sean Penn, Peter Tatchell and Julian Assange, all of whom have dedicated decades to uniting people worldwide rather than show allegiance to just one group.
Hawking's withdrawal echoes Rael's request for the international community, especially the United Nations and all superpowers, to force Israel to accept a peaceful reconciliation between the two Semitic peoples that includes the creation of a unified state of Palestine.
In a past address on this subject, Rael explained that the hatred so prevalent in this region will never cease unless something drastic happens.
“The only solution would be something that creates a truly deep and sincere reconciliation, which can only be accomplished if the victims are first recognized as victims, and then integrated into a new entity,” Rael said. "If necessary, a total economic embargo against Israel should be put in place, as was done to South Africa, until this solution is accepted. And [the international community] should also send troops to protect the defenseless Palestinian people now in the Gaza concentration camp, who are in danger of being exterminated in a genocide that will forever make the Israelis look as bad as their Nazi torturers."
"In the absence of an economic embargo, Raelians worldwide applaud this academic embargo, and we want to express a warm welcome to our new Honorary Guide, Stephen Hawking, who is setting such a fine example," said Brigitte Boisselier, IRM spokesperson.
For more information or interviews call
Tara Blackman 02 80114977
Tara@rael.org
Australian Raelian Movement