An excellent article. The actions of Prof Hawking are very unfortunate and ill conceived. There are many progressive Israeli citizens who do not agree with the current Government. Importantly Israel is a democracy with diverse opinions and values.
V sad

"Every man is entitled to express his opinion - but he should be prepared to justify and defend his decisions with detailed and reasoned arguments when those decisions are challenged."

You don't.

Perhaps you should practise what you preach and present reasoned arguments, instead of chauvinistic nonsense.

"Israel is an island of reason, moderation and a desire for peace," the Singer said that Netanyahu stated. I fell about laughing for a few minutes before I began to weep.

Even by Israel's low standards, this statement is a monumental lie.

Religious fanatics eschew reason. Religious fanatics have no understanding of what moderation means (their last attack on the Gaza Strip was clearly genocidal). And as they claim they want peace they have done everything to avoid it while they continue to build settlements on occupied land.

Who is worse: Netanyahu, the liar, or Singer, who repeats the lie?

Because Stephen Hawkins has higher morals when it comes to human rights, than the current Israeli government has.

What a cast list.

"Former US president Bill Clinton, former UK prime minister Tony Blair, former Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev, Prince Albert of Monaco and Barbra Streisand have accepted invitations"

My guess would be that Mr Hawking took one look at that lot, and decided that the risk of having to sit next to - or worse, listen to - the likes of Mr Tony "I'm so righteous" Blair, was too great.

Pericles, LOL

Once we pass the warmongers and other ethically challenged "notables" the list of invitees continues with the former premier of a (thankfully) non-existent totalitarian state, the prince of a casino-with-a-"country"-attached and ends with a pop singer.