Boycott Israel?

[Violet_Crumble]

by Baruch Kimmerling and Ilan Pappe and Henri Picciotto
April 26, 2005


The boycotts are based on specific causes in the case of each university. At Haifa, it is due to the controversy surrounding a masters? thesis by Teddy Katz documenting a massacre during the 1948 war at Tantura, a document which was roundly lambasted by many Israeli academics. It was defended by Ilan Pappe of Haifa U, who has been harassed due to this and other political causes. At Bar-Ilan, the call for boycott is based on that institution?s allegiance with the College of Judea and Samaria, an Israeli/Jewish college in the Occupied Territories.

Below, we find two views of the academic boycott. One, by Prof. Baruch Kimmerling of the Hebrew University opposes the boycott; the other by Ilan Pappe defends it. Finally, we include a JVP view of the whole issue of targeted sanctions, boycotts and divestment, by Jewish Voice for Peace Board of Directors member, Henri Picciotto.

JVP has long taken the stance that outside pressure on Israel is absolutely crucial if the occupation is ever to end. But we also believe that such pressure needs to be properly targeted, both for ethical and tactical reasons. We offer these various views to you to stimulate discussion, debate and creative thinking on this controversial subject. --

Mitchell Plitnick, Director of Education and Policy, JVP]

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=107&ItemID=7741

[Jim Sagle]

1. Same old same old.

[Violet_Crumble]

2. Try reading the article...

..instead of commenting on the title. It takes longer than a few seconds, but the comments made in replies tend to be taken a bit more seriously...

Violet...

[Jim Sagle]

3. As if I cared.

[Violet_Crumble]

4. You don't care if you don't make sense?

Uh, oh-kay, I guess. Whatever floats yr boat, Jimbo. The problem with not bothering to read articles before trotting out pre-programmed one-liners is that yr one-liner makes no sense because you don't even know that the article contained two opinions - one supporting the boycott, and the other not supporting it. But what would you care? Which leads me to wonder why someone who doesn't care wastes so much time posting comments that they expect others to care about...

Violet...

[Guy_Montag]

7. If you don't care, why reply? nt.

[bemildred]

5. Refreshingly coherent and reasoned. Both sides. nt

[Violet_Crumble]

6. I thought they both put up good arguments....

Here's hoping that Jim will give in and read it, because I think he'd enjoy it if he did...

Violet...