Recently more organizations, such as union trades or academic organizations, decided to boycott Israel and Israeli products/lecturers. where does it put us in? as an Israeli, the obvious answer to this is - boycotting? no way! but this is too simple, so let me try and explain why I think boycott will not promote what those who wish to have it wants to achieve. as you are aware I am sure, there is a massive campaign going on in UK regarding the boycott - http://www.stoptheboycott.org a short intro:
What this campaign is about
This campaign is about overturning the recent Israel boycott motion passed by the UCU Congress.
On Wednesday the 30th May 2007, the UCU annual congress voted to adopt a number of pro-boycott measures including:
- Encouraging members to “consider the moral implications of links with Israeli academic institutions”.
- Campaigning for a “moratorium on research and cultural collaborations with Israel via EU and European Science Foundation funding”.
- They have also voted that “criticism of Israel cannot be construed as anti-Semitic.”
- Circulating a boycott call to all its local branches.
The key vote on the boycott was 158 in favour, 99 against.
read more: http://www.Jewish agency.org/JewishAgency/English/Jewish+Education/Compelling+Content/Eye+on+Israel/Current+Issues/Israel_Boycott_at_UCU
http://www.zionismontheweb.org/academic_boycott/UCU_boycott_of_Israeli_academics/
basically, it looks like someone is acting strangely. yes boycott are applying pressure - but is this to achieve anything?
more than anything, trying to harm the freedom of speech or information, by stopping scholars, doesn't make sense. the academia is usually not involved in political decisions, and if so, it is in a very limit scale. boycott also hearts those from Israel who are opposing the government stand on the palest nine issues; therefore the "left" side of the political can not be heard. more than that, trying to stop exchange of cultural information too is even making it harder. only by learning what others think one can try and to discuss the matter. it is impossible to have any sort of negotiates without listening to the other side.
if we as brits want to effect the ongoing middle east confrontation, we should make sure both sides can get together and work a solutions. boycott will not make any Israeli more willing to do so!
all invited to be part of the boycott briefing, Sunday 8th of July, 8 pm Mamlock house. (see flier)
for more info what and how to join campaign and reading:
www.stopboycott.org
http://www.ujs.org.uk/UCU
http://www.zionismontheweb.org/academic_boycott/UCU_boycott_of_Israeli_academics/
and plenty more!
Click here to download an information pack
