“By any criteria, Israel’s record on human rights is better than any country in the Middle East,” he said.

He cited examples of human rights violations in countries that the U.S. supports, such as the execution of homosexuals in Egypt and the repression of women in Saudi Arabia.

Dershowitz said he distinguishes between criticizing the Israeli government and signing the divestment petition. He said criticism of the government, which he said he participates in, is not inherently anti-semitic, while signing the petition is.

He also threatened to sue any professor who votes against the tenure of another based on the candidate’s ties to Israel, calling them “ignoramuses with Ph.D.’s.”

Many members of the audience, which generally supported Dershowitz and applauded for him several times, said they appreciated the presentation.

“I thought it was great,” said Rachel S. Weinerman ’03, a student in Dunster House. “This type of honest sentiment about the divestment petition has long been warranted.”