September 25, 2006

Letters to the Editor Irish Times

In response to a letter published in the Irish Times on 16 September, 2006 from 61 Irish academics, calling for a moratorium on EU support of Israel academic institution until Israel ends the occupation of Palestinian territories, we, who represent over 7300 academics world wide, have written to the EU to defend academic freedom and to declare that it is against such boycotts. Academiclife is about building bridges for better understanding and resolution, not destroying them.

Academicboycott actions are also antithetical to the universal principals of academic freedom.

Academics who advocate academic boycotts are separating themselves from the academic community.

A moratorium which in essence is a boycott is betrayal of these values. The shameful acts of the former AUT and NATFHE over the last years have met with universal academic condemnation. Such distinguished academics as Sari Nusseibah, the PalestinianPresident of Al Quds University and prestigious academic societies and unions including, but not limited to: the Middle Eastern Studies Association, American Academy for the Advancement of Sciences, National Academy, American Political Science Association and the America Association of University Professors spoke out unequivocally against such boycott attempts.

The attempt to single out Israel academics for isolation and demonization while erasing the complex history and decades of Arab-Israelviolence isboth intellectually and morally unacceptable. As noted in a recent Report to the UK Parliament, virulent anti-Zionism, which appeared in the public letter, has become an expression of anti-Semitism.

In the spirit of academic freedom, we ask that the Irish Times also unequivocally renounce academic boycotts and not give credence to their legitimacy.

Respectfully,

Yossi Yeshurun,
Rector, Bar Ilan University
Chair, International Advisory Board on Academic Freedom

Edward S. Beck
Walden University, Alvernia College and Susquehanna Institute
President, Scholars for Peace in the Middle East