Dear All,
This is a very interesting (and sad!) discussion and I agree (as do my
fellow find specialists in the room) that conference organisers should
consider visa politics before choosing a location. Perhaps, for those of
you who remember, what were the politics on attending conferences in
formal Eastern Germany and were scholars from Eastern Germany able to
attend freely? Experiences from that episode might guide our actions in
this particular matter.
Best wishes, Jessica Grimm
____________________________
Jessica Grimm MA AIFA
Zooarchaeologist
Wessex Archaeology Ltd
Portway House, Old Sarum Park, Salisbury, Wilts. SP4 6EB
Tel No:- +44 (0)1722 326867
Fax No:- +44 (0)1722 337562
Website: www.wessexarch.co.uk
P Before printing, think about the environment
-----Original Message-----
From: Analysis of animal remains from archaeological sites
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Haskel Greenfield
Sent: 19 December 2007 18:30
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ZOOARCH] ASWA 9 call for papers
Dear Umberto (and others who have become concerned with this issue),
The scheduling of the next Abu Dhabi creates all kind of ethical issues
for
our organization. This country clearly discriminates against Israelis
and
anyone who visits the country. Just as an example, here is the
information
from two official websites:
1. Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada
(http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=306000):
"Canadians may face significant delays when trying to enter or transit
through the country if their passport contains a valid or expired
Israeli
visa or stamps.
Holders of Israeli passports will be denied entry to the UAE".
2. UAE (United Arab Emirates, where Abu Dhabi is located) Immigration
Information
(http://www.dubai.alloexpat.com/dubai_information/immigration_informatio
n_du
bai.php):
Citizens of the following countries will be issued with a free-of-charge
VISIT VISA on entry to the UAE:
UK, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg,
Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland,
Greece,
Cyprus, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San
Marino, Liechtenstein, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand,
Japan,
Brunei, Abu Dhabi, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Citizens of other countries
should apply to their nearest UAE embassy.
Note: Nationals of Israel are not permitted into the UAE
The information from both of these websites means that Israelis, and
anyone
who has visited Israel would not be able to attend or would have
significant
problems upon arrival. I am a regular visitor to Israel. This goes
against
the traditions in ICAZ that were designed to fight the national
political
divisions that limit the intellectual exchange of information. ICAZ-ASWA
was
conceptualized as the regional organization of the Middle East. Yet,
Israelis and visitors to Israel are unable to attend. There is something
definitely wrong with this location, as a result.
I think that this is something that should be brought up in the ICAZ
executive committee. I hope that Laci and other members of the central
committee are reading this exchange of emails and will act suitably. It
goes
against the spirit of ICAZ, which is designed to enhance the free flow
of
information without regard to nationality or politics. Since ASWA is a
constituent society, it means that ICAZ is essentially complicit in a
boycott of Israeli`s or visitors to Israel.
This kind of boycott not only excludes Israelis, it makes scholars who
work
in Israel (or even the PA territories) and Jews in general feel
uncomfortable about attending. It should make anyone concerned with the
principles of ICAZ be reluctant to attend.
I am really sorry to throw a monkey wrench into the plans of Mark and
Marjane, but this is a conference locale that does not foster
intellectual
cross-fertilization and one that i would not be interested in attending,
if
the locale remains the same. I would urge the organizers to either find
a
way in which Israelis and visitors to Israel can attend the conference
or
reconsider the locale for the conference. Otherwise, I would recommend
to
the central committee of ICAZ that all ties be severed to the ASWA
organization.
I am attaching a recent email from one of the organizers who has who has
responded to my recent question about attending the conference.
I am grateful that you are willing to bring this up with the executive
committee. It is a matter of urgent importance and needs to be dealt
with.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Best
Haskel
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: December-15-07 6:05 PM
To: Haskel Greenfield
Subject: Re: [ZOOARCH] ASWA 9 call for papers
Dear Haskel, the situation in this region of the world is complicated
on all sides. We have had a good oppurtunity to organise this
conference, in a place where many of us work. We are trying to do our
scientific work and not go into politics. It would be great if you
would attend. Please let me know.
Best wishes
Marjane
-----Original Message-----
From: Analysis of animal remains from archaeological sites
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Umberto Albarella
Sent: December-18-07 8:12 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ZOOARCH] ASWA 9 call for papers
Dear Haskel,
The two organisers of the conference - Marjan Mashkour and Mark Beech -
are
both
zooarchers and I sincerely hope that they will reply to your expression
of
concern. I also hope that they will let the rest of the list know, as
the
issue
you raise is important and requires an urgent reassurance.
I have no idea whether your concerns are justified, and I can only hope
that
they aren't. Exclusion on the basis of ethnicity amounts to racism, and
I do
not think that this can be tolerated within an international
organization
such
as ICAZ. I will also raise the issue with the ICAZ executive committee.
Exclusion on the basis of nationality can I believe only be considered
if it
is
part of a wider academic boycott, which is formally supported by an
international organisazion. Since neither ASWA nor ICAZ, as far as I
know,
have
such policies, this is also therefore not acceptable.
In an increasingly divided world this is an issue that we may have to
confront
over and over again and that requires an open debate and at some point I
suppose also the implementation of policies.
For instance, at the recent AAA conference in Washington DC I learnt
that at
the
WAC congress organised in 2003 in that same city a Palestinian delegate
was
not
granted a visa to attend (and, no, he was not a 'terrorist', though
these
days
we all run the risk of being branded as such). I believe that such
discriminations require a reaction of the academic community. It is an
issue
that I am finding increasingly concerning.
I think it is important to hear from the organisers of the conference,
but
also
from anybody else who has an opinion on this issue, or has valuable
information
that can provide. It would also be useful if Haskel could clarify what
he
means
with "many such countries", as we have to be careful not to indulge in
generalisations that can be misleading.
With best wishes,
Umberto
Quoting Haskel Greenfield <[log in to unmask]>:
> Hi. i was wondering if Jews and/or israeli's are allowed to
participate in
> the conference? Many such countries in the region do not allow one or
both
> to do so. It would be great to attend.
> Best
> Haskel
>
>
>
--
Umberto Albarella
Department of Archaeology
University of Sheffield
Northgate House
West Street
Sheffield S1 4ET
United Kingdom
Telephone: (+) 44 (0) 114 22 22 943
Fax: (+) 44 (0) 114 27 22 563
http://www.shef.ac.uk/archaeology/staff/albarella.html
For Archaeologists for Global Justice (AGJ) see:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/archaeology/global-justice.html
"There is no way to peace. Peace IS the way".
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