Academic Boycott

[Plum]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 4:58pm

I'm probably asking to be burned here, but I'm too curious to see the opinions of people here to resist.

The British Association of University Teachers has called on its members to "refrain from participation in any form of academic and cultural cooperation, collaboration, or joint projects" with academics in Haifa University and Bar Ilan University. Exceptions can be made for "conscientious Israeli academics and intellectuals opposed to their state's colonial and racist policies."

Putting aside their opinions of Israel (Brits criticizing the colonialism of one of their former colonies? Holy hypocrisy, Batman.), it's the fact that they present an ideological litmus test like this one that really troubles me. What they say amounts to, we'll engage you in academic discourse, but only if you agree with us. Doesn't seem like quite the right policy for university professors to undertake.

Has this organization called for academic boycotts of professors in places like Iran or Pakistan? If they have, I haven't heard about it. Anyway, the American Association of University Professors has come out against the boycott, which does make me feel better about things.

Obviously, this is a very personal issue for me. Bar Ilan is my mom's alma mater. Is that totally distorting my view of things, or does this boycott look slightly ridculous to anyone else?
AAUP Press Release

[Gothampc]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 5:09pm

You are going to see more of this as the European Union kicks into full gear.

[Plum]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 5:37pm

See, what really gets me is that it's such a futile move. Israel's academia, as a whole, is quite left-of-center and against Ariel Sharon's moronic policies in the West Bank. So what are you accomplishing by these academic freedom-hampering actions other than encouraging bitterness and enmity? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

[Ellie3]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 8:30pm

It looks more than slightly ridiculous to me. Who are these clowns? I think 'stupid, stupid, stupid' sums it up nicely.

At least their American counterparts have condemned it, that's something!