Sir, The National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education has voted to boycott Israeli academics and universities if they do not “publicly distance themselves” from policies of their Government.

Having taught aspects of international relations at university, I find the notion of asking those from another country to denounce their own Government before any academic dialogue to be risible. Britain and Israel enjoy democratic elections, an independent judiciary, a free press, a commitment to human rights, and gender and racial equality. Many other countries do not, yet there seems to be no suggestion of a boycott of academics from those countries. I regard NATFHE’s action as a betrayal of academic and intellectual values.

PROFESSOR STANLEY HENIG
Lancaster