UK historian declines Israeli prize, citing conflict with Palestinians

[Little Tich]

Source: Times of Israel

Prof. Catherine Hall of UCL says she doesn’t wish to accept award after discussions on regional situation

British historian rejected a prestigious Israeli prize due to be awarded this week, saying her decision came after “many discussions” on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Haaretz reported Sunday that Prof. Catherine Hall of University College London declined the Dan David Prize, along with its $1 million award, ahead of the Tel Aviv ceremony.

The British Committee for Universities of Palestine (BRICUP) posted on Facebook a comment by Hall in which she said that, “This was an independent political choice, undertaken after many discussions with those who are deeply involved with the politics of Israel-Palestine, but with differing views as to how best to act.”

Hall was due to receive the prize for her “impact on social history, as a pioneer in gender history, race and slavery. While active in the women’s liberation movement, her work focused on women’s history in the 1970s,” Haaretz said.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/uk-historian-declines-israeli-prize-citing-conflict-with-palestinians/

[bjo59]

1. Wow, that takes an ethical backbone of the highest order to turn down one million dollars in the

form of a prize for one's academic work.

[Little Tich]

2. Well, technically it was only $300.000, but it's still more than I have right now... n/t

[oberliner]

3. Do you support the boycott of Israeli universities?

And of academic events associated with Israel?

[Little Tich]

4. As long as the Israeli university system is an arm of the settler movement, yes...

If Israel closes down the university in Ariel, then it wouldn't be about Apartheid, just a normal moral matter about whether you like Israel or not. I like Israel, so I would be against boycotting a university system that isn't an arm of the settler movement.

However, I'm against any form of boycott against individual Israeli university students under any circumstances.

[oberliner]

5. Does Tel Aviv University qualify?

Even if it does not have a campus in the West Bank?

[Little Tich]

8. It was a deliberate choice of Israel to elevate Ariel to university status.

As long as there's a (Apartheid) university in Ariel, the whole system is tainted. This means that TAU is part of Apartheid and therefore boycottable. I sincerely believe that Apartheid should be boycotted at all times.

[oberliner]

9. The leadership of Tel Aviv University opposed the elevation of Ariel to university status

In fact, The Council of Presidents of Israeli Universities opposed the change in status for the Ariel institution.

Excerpt:

Presidents of Israeli universities on Wednesday expressed opposition to the official granting of university status to an Ariel educational institution.

In the letter, the Council of Presidents of Israeli Universities call on Netanyahu to stop the declaration of the Ariel University Center (AUC) as a university, saying the move would “deal a mortal blow to the higher education system in Israel.”

http://www.jpost.com/National-News/University-heads-pressure-PM-on-Ariel-status

Their petition was rejected by the courts.

[Little Tich]

10. They should have protested harder - TAU has become Apartheid U. n/t

[shira]

6. You wrote that you like Israel. What do you like about it? n/t

[Little Tich]

7. Interesting people, good beaches, good food - but horrible breakfasts during passover. n/t