I think that the most disheartening detail in Eve Garrard's description of the University and College Union's Congress passing the motion to boycott Israeli academics was this item: "There was a real, palpable desire in the meeting to take some action against Israel. An otherwise rather somnolent audience woke up at the first mention of Palestine, and applauded every suggestion that action should be taken against Israel. A congress which had just passed very moderate motions on Burma and Zimbabwe and Sudan, about solidarity with trade unions and asylum seekers, and putting pressure on governments, quite clearly felt that these measures weren't sufficient for Israel's crimes: that for Israeli academics, nothing but punishment would do."
So Israel is worse than Burma, Zimbabwe, and Sudan? What is wrong with these people? What else is this other than anti-semitism?
What is wrong with these people? What else is this other than anti-semitism?
ReplyDeleteWhite guilt at colonialism?
I have to say, I like NT Wrong's answer. I think there is a bit of an identity crisis in Britain, and siding with the underdog helps alleviate that.
ReplyDelete