Bernard Lewis, scholar and the 'west's leading interpreter of the Middle East,' died Sunday at the age of 101. Lewis was a leading scholar on Oriental and Middle Eastern studies. His study of antisemitism, Semites and Anti-Semites was a cry against Soviet and Arab attempts to delegitimize Israel. In other works, he argued Arab rage against Israel was disproportionate to other tragedies or injustices in the Muslim world. Though a champion for Israel, Lewis was an often controversial figure, on this subject and others. He was accused of being a 'genocide denier' for his views on the Armenian genocide. His support of the Iraq War has also brought criticism. Details regarding Lewis's death have not yet been released.
