Federal Judge Roy K. Altman, who sits on the federal bench in Miami, spoke Wednesday at the first public event hosted by the Ackerman Program on Jewish and Western Civilization at the University of Texas at Austin. Altman, who wrote the book "Israel on Trial," discussed accusations of genocide, apartheid and settler colonialism against Israel. He said most accusations against Israel amount to "a series of legal claims" against the Jewish state.
Altman, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Venezuela in 1982, shared a family history that spanned Romania, Paris, Israel, Venezuela and Miami. President Donald Trump appointed him to the federal bench during Trump's first term. Altman also spoke about modern Paris, saying the city was "only a few years ahead of where we are right now," in reference to recent riots.
The Ackerman program was announced earlier this year and launched this fall. It includes new courses on classic works of Jewish civilization, a study-abroad program in Israel, a speaker series and dedicated faculty. UT-Austin is part of the University of Texas System, which is overseen by a Board of Regents appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. Kevin Eltife of Tyler is the current board chair.