Pay attention, Professor. If you support the proposed academic boycott of Israel -- and if you are to remain intellectually honest -- prepare for a radical lifestyle change. Firstly, unplug your computer. Good. Now switch off your interactive digital television set. Well done. And now throw away your mobile phone. Excellent.
You see, Professor, these machines are not only the engine of the globalized, capitalist world but they also depend on technologies that have been produced by Israeli academics in the Zionist entity.
Stop playing with your detached mouse, Professor, and concentrate. I'm afraid you may not use the British Library because it has been computerized by Ex Libris, a Zionist company that was spawned by the odious Hebrew University of Jerusalem. And if, God forbid, you develop problems of the small intestine, you may not pop the Zionist-invented 'video capsule', which passes naturally through your body as it monitors this delicate piece of your anatomy...
All this boycotting, you see, is the logical extension of proposed academic sanctions against Israel by some members of the British Association of University Teachers (AUT). Just visit the website of Egyptian-born Mona Baker of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. She set the standard by firing two Israeli scholars from the boards of her translation journals as a matter of high academic principle.
You will see that Ms Baker's ambitions do not end with the academic boycott. Her website also includes a section entitled 'Boycott Israeli Products & Services', which features dozens of global brands that, inconveniently, are not Israeli at all. The offenders presumably have earned their place in infamy by dealing with the Zionist entity, by being owned by Jews or by having Jews on their boards. They range from Coca-Cola and Nescafe to Johnson & Johnson and Estee Lauder, from Hugo Boss and Ralph Lauren to Selfridges and Marks & Spencer, from Kleenex and Wonderbra to Lancome and.... All marked for boycott.
Absent from Ms Baker's list -- and here I think I can help -- is a set of global companies which are arguably even more culpable because they not only operate in Israel but also do most of their R&D there. IBM and Intel each have three R&D centres in Israel; Microsoft established its first non-American facility there, and Cisco Systems has built its only non-American R&D center in Israel. Then there is Motorola, which has its largest R&D site in Israel, and News Corp, whose company NDS develops those neat interactive technologies for digital television. There are many more.
The AUT boycott brigade has cause for concern. It knows that these companies are attracted not only by the innate brutality of the expansionist regime but also by the cunning of its university graduates (most of the R&D centers are located on or near Israeli university campuses). Proportionally, the Zionist entity has more university graduates than any other country, while its scientists, engineers and agriculturists publish more professional papers per capita than do their counterparts anywhere else on earth. The result is that Israel has the largest concentration of high-tech companies outside Silicon Valley. But the ultimate sin is that Israel, which came to independence in the process of post-war decolonization, stubbornly refuses to become a failed state.
So dangerous has the situation become, dear Professor, that when the AUT met in Eastbourne last week, the issue that preoccupied you was the aggressive imperialist apartheid state: a state that has nurtured the Palestinian universities and colleges in the West Bank; one that offers equal rights - and access to its universities - to all its citizens, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or sex; and which has educated tens of thousands of Palestinians at Israeli universities (several hundred a year still opt for an Israeli education). It is significant that Omar Barghouti, the Palestinian who is encouraging you and your British comrades to boycott Israel, is a doctoral student at none other than Tel Aviv University.
No, Professor, not all Israeli universities and not all Israeli academics will be boycotted if the AUT motion is passed. Such a proposition was defeated 3-1 at the association's conference two years ago, and the boycotters are too smart to repeat past mistakes. The new motion, says one of its authors, has been 'tactically' amended to get it passed. 'We've got to be a bit more sophisticated,' she says. And sophisticated they are. They even had a dry run last December, when they met to rehearse their presentations and develop killer responses to potential critics.
Their sleek new motion -- which does not involve a single book-burning -- envisages sanctions against only the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University and Haifa University. And there's more: the boycotters generously offer Israeli academics the opportunity to buy themselves immunity if they are prepared to denounce their country, specifically, 'conscientious Israeli academics and intellectuals opposed to their state's colonial and racist policies'. Who could seriously question the integrity of your fellow academic freedom fighters?
But there are, of course, small obstinate obstacles in the way of you visionaries, Professor. Britain's academic institutions, for example, have not endorsed boycotting Israel's academic community. Indeed, when the Oxford don Andrew Wilkie told an Israeli PhD applicant that there was 'no way would I take on somebody who had served in the Israeli army', he was hauled before the university's disciplinary body and suspended without pay for two months.
Cambridge University's Professor Sir Aaron Klug, Nobel laureate and former president of the Royal Society, put me right when I asked him about the possible impact -- on Britain no less than on Israel -- of such a boycott: 'How important is the AUT? That's the question you have to ask.' He is no supporter of Israel's Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, and his policies but he does consider that the proposed boycott is 'ill considered and doesn't promote anything at all'. The AUT, he says, is out to attack Israel 'but this is no way to proceed'. Sir Aaron is 'not one who looks for anti-Semitism around every corner,' he says, 'but I do think there's an element of that here. It does give people who are anti-Semitic the opportunity to express themselves.'
But relax, Professor. The AUT has solemnly concluded that there is a clear distinction between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. They don't mind Jews. They just detest the Jewish state.
Originally appeared in The Spectator
(20) titus etori, December 24, 2013 8:20 AM
It is hypocritical and futile to boycott Israel. it will fail miserably
(19) Anonymous, December 24, 2013 2:09 AM
As a Christian from America
As a Christian from America, I will fight for Israel even against my own country when the time comes and unfortunately, the time WILL COME.
(18) Gustavo Barajas, May 9, 2013 3:37 PM
It is very interesting, because Israel should not depend on other nations on its improvement. G-d gave the name Israel to us. Let us not forget that G-d does not boycott, instead we should study the name (Israel) which in general terms means we depend upon G-d, not upon other nations. Instead of writing on the gentile nations boycotting us it is telling G-d that we don't trust him, and we are trying to gain the gentiles approval. Please let us not mix secularism with, politics, lets be a nation of Holy people.
Paul Foster, December 23, 2013 10:00 AM
Amen
Amen
(17) Anonymous, October 9, 2011 10:55 PM
how to boycott israel video guide
Here's a quick video guide for all those brilliant young minds on how to successfully boycott israel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbIQto3KPUM
(16) ndung'u, August 28, 2011 7:51 PM
israel is fighting for what is rightfully theirs and will win the war.
the existence of israel in their native land given to them by God is their right and no matter how their enemies try to deceive the world to taint israeli's reputation are destined to fail.I support israel's fight agaist their enemies
(15) Art Citron, October 27, 2005 12:00 AM
Jews worldwide Unite
I agree with Mr. Wegard, I think all responsible citizens of the world should join together and boycott any and everything that is exported from countrys and organizations that aid terrorists and boycott Israeli products.
(14) Martin Wegard, July 28, 2005 12:00 AM
Jews Worldwide Unite
Why doesn't world Jewry boycott products and services sold to terrorist sponsoring countries as well as those organizations that boycott Israeli products.
Zevi BenMoshe, December 20, 2013 4:37 AM
It would be difficult since terrorist-sponsoring countries produce nothing of use.
(13) Joy Wilson, June 1, 2005 12:00 AM
I Love Israel and the People of Israel!
I wish the American media would print this article. It grieves me that people do not understand how significant Israel is to the rest of the world. And that they believe the lies that are spread by those who are ignorant of the truth. Thank you for your article.
(12) raye, May 12, 2005 12:00 AM
How insecurity manifests itself
Down through history, rabblerousers could only acquire power through devious methods when their inferiority complex makes them feel threatened by forces within their immediate sphere thus manifesting in bashing those on the outside.
(11) sahidah, May 11, 2005 12:00 AM
well said!!!
(10) Chet, May 11, 2005 12:00 AM
Wasted individuals
It's sad to hear that intellectuals are busy pushing for such a "drive". Would it not be worthwhile to engage in activities that will earn you a Nobel Prize.
(9) Caroline Mackersey, May 11, 2005 12:00 AM
This article is very helpful when confronting those who would demonise Israel and advocate boycotts.
(8) Ben W., May 10, 2005 12:00 AM
They shouldn't drink wine either
Yesterday, while on a university field trip to some of Australia's big vineyards (hundreds and hundreds of acres/hecatares), one of the vineyard managers, while showning the drip-watering system, which saves thousands of gallon/liters of water, mentioned that the computer hardware for it was made in Israel. So I guess these professors will have to stop drinking wine too.
(7) Rabbi Haim Levi, May 9, 2005 12:00 AM
The truth and the whole truth
The sad truth through the milenia, is that University intellectual have always ignored their jewish counterparts wihout whom the word would be just now emerging from the the dark ages
(6) sisi, May 9, 2005 12:00 AM
left wing bashing
Hello,
I am unsure as to why, as usual, many negative comments are directed towards the evil left wingers whoever they may be.
Israel boycotting, bashing and anti-semitism is not exclusive to those describing themselves as left wing or Democrat or whatever.
While some of the most virulent Israel haters are "Lefties" they are not in the mainstream. Moreover, there are many academics who are right wing Republicans and who don't like Israel.
Being a Liberal (as I am) does not mean hating Israel. For instance, the evil Liberals at the local food coop routinely make a point of carrying Israeli food and bath products. I very much doubt this indicates any desire to boycott Israel.
I have many non-Jewish liberal professors who particpate in joint ventures with Israeli universities. Many left wing, liberals in the Medical field use Israel as the example to follow in stem cell research and the like. ANd programs for studying in Israel that did not exist ten years ago in my program are growing every year now.
As for the Republican right wingers. WHen Jews are against Christian rituals in public school they scoff at us and remind us that it is a Christian country. Jewish children don't have a right to be protected at public school under that new fangled Seperation of CHurch and State idea. They buy millions of copies of books that portray Jews as subhuman pawns in the end of the world/second coming fantasy.
Republicans in the US have used Holocaust references when referring to the inheritance tax. They find no qualms in comparing liberal leaders to nazis. They compare legal abortion clinics to death camps. They use the biggest pogrom the Jews have ever faced as a political joke. They dimish the millions tortured and perished as a media tool.
I am dismayed that Jews have been so brainwashed by the Religious Right and their Right Wing cronies as to believe that these are the people who represent Jewish views and values.
Instead of bashing perhaps we could help educate the ignorants on both sides of the political divide. Unfairly bashing a whole group of people without the proper background information is exactly what fuels the hate of Israel and the subsequent boycotts.
I do not know the Torah equivalent, although I'm sure there is one: Two Wrongs don't make a Right!
(5) Zachary Kessin, May 8, 2005 12:00 AM
Not everyone in the UK supports this
Well I'm not in the UK, but I did read an article in the Jerusalem post that quoted a professor of Economics about this boycot. His response was that while he did not have any current accedemic connections to Israel he was now planning to develop some.
(4) Fran, May 8, 2005 12:00 AM
Thank You !!
Thank you for making us aware of this. Also thank you Gill for you comment containing the link to the petition against this boycott I have signed it too.
(3) Herbet A. Shapiro, May 8, 2005 12:00 AM
Information, just wonderful
I send many of the articles on to my non Jewish friends. Thank you ever so much for your good works.
(2) Gary Selikow, May 6, 2005 12:00 AM
Words do not exist to express my hatred of leftwing Israel-bashers. For me this is THE defining moral issue. Those who stand with Israel are righteous. Those who viciously act against Israel are evil.
Note the rotten moral bankruptcy of the so-called 'anti-war' lobby. not only are they calous about the mass murder of Israeli men , women and children-they are also callous about other terror victims. At a recent anti-Israel/anti-USA rally in London , members of the Communist Party of Great Britain carried signs reading 'Support the Iraqi Resistance' - aside the usual 'Burn Israel' posters.
So they support those terrorists who are commiting genocide against the Shiities in Iraq. Is there any evil in the world today that the Left do not support?
For the last five years Israel has been fighting for her very existence – against an enemy whose sole aim is to eliminate physically the entire Jewish population of the Land of Israel.
Thousands of Israeli Jewish men, women and children have died from bombs, bullets or knife attacks, and thousands of others have been maimed, blinded, orphaned, widowed and terrorized.
Two years ago on Erev Rosh Hashanah, seven month old Shaked Abraham was shot dead in her crib by an Arab murderer who forced his way into her parent’s house as the family was celebrating the New Year.
A ten-month-old Jewish baby, Shalhevet Pass, was shot in her father’s arms by an Arab sniper in 2001.
The following year, a five-year-old girl, Danielle Shefi, was shot to death at point blank range by an Arab killer, while cowering under her parents’ bed.
That same year, two boys, four- and five-years old, where shot dead together with their mother as she read them a bedtime story, in a left-wing kibbutz, by Arab terrorists.
Over 25% percent of Jewish children living in Israel do not have enough food to eat as a result of the Intifada (war of extermination) waged by Yasser Arafat, along with the economic boycotts initiated by sympathizers of the Palestinian plans of genocide against the Israeli people.
Every decent human on this earth will stand with Israel in her hour of need.
(1) gill, May 4, 2005 12:00 AM
Anti Boycott Petition
A small group of us have set up a petition to against the boycott.
Please would you be good enough sign and pass it on.
http://www.petitiononline.com/isboy05/petition.html
To: British Association of University Teachers
We, the undersigned, are men and women from all walks of life, Jews and non-Jews, Israelis and non-Israelis, academics and non-academics, who feel deep concern about the AUT’s misbegotten boycott of Israeli universities.
As an expression of this concern, and the negative impact we know it will have on Israelis, Israeli Arabs, Palestinians, Jews, British teachers and students, and many in other countries, we hereby petition the Association of University Teachers to rescind its boycott.
Any claim that Israel is an 'apartheid state' is demonstrably wrong in
all its aspects, legal, ethical, factual, and in comparison to other
countries and belittles the true horrors of the apartheid regime in South Africa.
The boycott is counterproductive, racist, and bigoted. It was voted on and approved under conditions which guaranteed its outcome without full and proper debate. It singles out the only Jewish State in the world for punishment , yet ignores the numerous despotic, oppressive, tyrannical, fundamentalist, and repressive regimes in the world. It is, for that reason alone, hypocritical, and represents the interests of a small minority of anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic activists only.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned