Don't messages such as these undermine the very spirit of this mailing
list, which promotes communication and collaboration. As a non
academic who retains a deep respect for the rigour and discipline of
modern scholars, I am dismayed when swathes concede defeat by
suggesting that boycotts on knowledge can do anything other than
reduce understanding and exacerbate the problem.
Clive Gilbert
On Wed, Dec 31, 2008 at 3:46 PM, Ziyaad Lunat <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> To add your name to this statement please
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
> A Statement of to Boycott Israel Sponsored by The British Committee for the
> Universities of Palestine (BRICUP)
>
> Gaza's Guernica
> Enough is enough
>
> http://www.bricup.org.uk/
>
> The Israeli government is sending waves of F16 fighter jets to bomb the
> Palestinian population of Gaza, many of whom are already weak and sick from
> two years of siege and encirclement by Israel. Children, says an Israeli
> spokeswoman, are legitimate targets because if they inhabit a house
> allegedly being used to manufacture home-made rockets to fire into Israel,
> they are 'terrorists' themselves. On Saturday December 27, Israel says it
> dropped 100 tonnes of bombs on Gaza.
>
> We say enough is enough. As long as the state of Israel continues to defy
> humanity and international law, we, the citizens of the world, commit
> ourselves to boycotting Israel.
>
> When Nazi planes firebombed the Basque town of Guernica in 1937, to advance
> General Franco's revolt against the democratically elected Republican
> government, Britain, France and other European powers continued to refuse
> military and political support to the Republic, and Franco and his Nazi
> allies prevailed.
>
> Since our governments decline to take action against Israel, we, as
> citizens, must act.
> We declare that, in solidarity with the bombed, maimed, tortured and
> ethnically cleansed people of Palestine, we will, individually and
> collectively:
>
> refuse to buy any fruit, vegetable, flowers, cosmetics, underwear, swimwear
> or piece of technology manufactured or produced in Israel or the illegal
> Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and we will inform shops that we
> object to them stocking Israeli products;
>
> we will not go on holiday to Israel;
> we will research which brands of computer contain Israeli-designed and
> manuctured components, make the information public, and and press all
> computer manufacturers to end research partnerships with Israel;
>
> we will boycott Israeli films, theatre companies, dance groups and
> orchestras, and make known our objections to the management of theatres and
> cinemas;
>
> we will campaign actively for our governments not to allow citizens of our
> countries to serve in the Israeli army, navy, airforce and security
> services;
>
> we will lobby in our professional organisations and trade unions for Israeli
> institutions to be boycotted unless they state publicly that they oppose
> their government's actions, will not co-operate with the state (for instance
> by teaching courses for the security services, which all Israeli
> universities do), and support the establishment of a viable Palestinian
> state.
>
> Signed on behalf of BRICUP
> Professor Jonathan Rosenhead, London
> Professor Haim Bresheeth, London
> Abe Hayeem, London
> Mike Cushman, London
> Professor Keith Hammond, Glasgow
> Professor Ghada Karmi, Exeter
> Jenny Morgan, London
> Dr Robert Boyce, London
> Dr. Sue Blackwell, Birmingham
> 28 December 2008
>
> What you can also do:
>
> 1. Join or organize emergency protests and direct actions in partnership
> with Palestine solidarity and social justice organisations in your area.
> Send reports of actions you participate in so this information can be shared
> with people around the world.
>
> 2. Donate money through:
> Medical Aid for Palestine
> http://www.map-uk.org/
>
> Middle East Children's Alliance
> https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=1171
>
> to pay for desperately needed medical supplies and their delivery. The
> current conditions in Gaza medical facilities are dire.
>
> 3. Flood Israeli embassies and consulates with letters and calls decrying
> the attacks. Find contact info for Israeli embassies around the world.
>
> http://www.learn4good.com/travel/israel_embassies.htm
> 4. Shift the framing of Israel's actions in the media by phoning into a talk
> show or writing a letter to the editor.
>
> 5. Sign the petition in support of UN General Assembly President Father
> Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann
>
> http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/IJAN_Brockmann_BDS/
>
> He has spoken out to condemn Israeli Apartheid and called for boycott,
> divestment and sanctions.
>
> 6. Write to your member of parliament.
> If you are in the UK, you can find your MP's details on this site:
>
> http://www.writetothem.com/
> Just enter your postcode.
>
> 7. If you are in Europe write to you MEP
> http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members.do
>
> 8. Write to members of the Israeli government and members of the Knesset
>
> Download a list of e-mail addresses
>
> 9-12. If you are in the UK you can do the following (or the equivalents if
> you live elsewhere)
>
> 9. Write to:
>
> (a) the Labour Party using this online form:
>
> http://www.labour.org.uk/contact
>
> (b) the leader of the Conservative Party, David Cameron
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
> (You could mention you are appalled that he has been on the BBC calling for
> restraint on all sides when nearly 300 Palestinians have been killed.)
>
> 10. British Consulate Jerusalem
> +972 (02) 541 4100
>
> 11. British Embassy Tel Aviv
> +972 (02) 3510 1167 / +972 (03) 527 1572
> Call them.
>
> 12. Fax the office of the UK Prime Minister - Gordon Brown -
> on +44 20 7925 0918
>
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