Author: David

anti-Semitism, BDS, The I/P conflict

The judicial review hearing – Southampton conference – some notes.

As I was there today at the High Court, I thought I’d write just a few points about today’s High Court Judicial Review hearing on the University of Southampton conference.     University of Southampton were given a clean bill of health. There was no criticism whatsoever about their behaviour. They strictly followed procedure and engaged in deep discussion with all relevant stakeholders There were … Continue reading The judicial review hearing – Southampton conference – some notes.

David4 Comments
anti-Semitism, BDS, The I/P conflict

An open response to Geoffrey Alderman

“But to argue – as an academic or in an academic setting – that the state of Israel should be destroyed seems, to me, to amount to an incitement to genocide. That is where free speech becomes hate speech.” – Geoffrey Alderman – Guardian – 30-April 2010 Dear Geoffrey I  read your recent opinion piece on the ‘own goal’ at Southampton ( last week’s Jewish … Continue reading An open response to Geoffrey Alderman

David2 Comments
BDS, The I/P conflict

Palestinians are dying and there is an eerie silence

Palestinians are dying and there is an eerie silence; the streets are empty, social media is calm and even the mainstream media, devoid of the usual pressures from the pro-Palestinian campaign, are dealing with the matter with an odd distant glaze. The most rabid anti-Israeli Facebook pages, the most active Twitter users are not posting anything on the subject at all. I’ve been told the … Continue reading Palestinians are dying and there is an eerie silence

David1 Comment
anti-Semitism, The I/P conflict

An alternative conference for the University of Southampton

Dear Professor Nutbeam, As it is now likely the anti-Israeli hate-fest will not go ahead, I would like to suggest one to have in its place. Conference proposal – preamble: After the fall of the Ottoman Empire and against the backdrop of the Sykes–Picot Agreement, the League of Nations handed Britain and France several Mandates. This proposed conference will focus on the Mandates for the … Continue reading An alternative conference for the University of Southampton

David5 Comments
anti-Semitism, The I/P conflict

Withdrawal of Planned Anti-Semitic Anti-Zionist Hatefest at University of Southampton

Dear Gavin Re: Withdrawal of University of Southampton from the Anti-Israel Conference, 17-19 April 2015 I have not received any reply to you so write further drawing your attention to my correspondence with Ben Dor and the extensive research and writing of David Collier in addition to my own open letter and article unpacking the negative discursive position. The analysis revealed how Israel had been … Continue reading Withdrawal of Planned Anti-Semitic Anti-Zionist Hatefest at University of Southampton

David
anti-Semitism, The I/P conflict

University of Southampton – say no to anti-Semitism

So much talk, so many arguments. Unsurprisingly, many of the people who favour boycotting Israeli academics, shouting down anyone speaking in favour of Israel, taking kosher products of shop shelves and verbally abusing Jews in the street are all suddenly worried about the importance of freedoms. The word ‘hypocritical’ comes to mind. But this is not about the freedom to criticise the only nation in … Continue reading University of Southampton – say no to anti-Semitism

David2 Comments
anti-Semitism, The I/P conflict

Southampton U – If Dr James Parkes could see you now

“I believe that universities should make clear that their names cannot be invoked as the purported sponsor for conferences or dialogues in which the primary thrust is demonization of Israel.” Lawrence H. Summers, Columbia Center for Law and Liberty, January 29, 2015   We have already exposed enough information to be able to state clearly and loudly that the anti-Israeli conference at the University of … Continue reading Southampton U – If Dr James Parkes could see you now

David1 Comment
anti-Semitism, BDS, The I/P conflict

Anti Semitic conference – no doubt about it.

This University of Southampton conference against Israel is anti-Semitic. It is difficult to define anti-Semitism, and frankly, just because someone is ranting against someone Jewish or using animated language to describe Israel it doesn’t make them an anti-Semite. As a moderate I tend to hurl abuse many ways, and there are millions of Israelis walking around cursing their government or the opposition and hardly any … Continue reading Anti Semitic conference – no doubt about it.

David2 Comments
anti-Semitism

Pre-trial Review of the Southampton Conference

The problem is that most people simply do not understand how the discursive position of the debate not only sets up Israel to fail, but also compounds the inaccurate and therefore unjust worldview that the Jewish state is a rogue and oppressive one. The very reason I felt compelled to conduct the analysis. The response I received from Ben Dor has entirely failed to refer … Continue reading Pre-trial Review of the Southampton Conference

David1 Comment
anti-Semitism

Statement on the list of academics supporting S’ton U

I am neither an activist nor an extremist. I am simply a concerned father whose child is doing terror drills rather than fire drills at school. I used to walk into school alone, he goes to school behind special security systems; what message does this give to him about his environment? I have been against the vicious and spiteful anti-Jewish conference at Southampton since I … Continue reading Statement on the list of academics supporting S’ton U

David