This Wednesday, November 4th, several University of Minnesota academic departments are partnering with the anti-Israel organization Teachers Against Occupation to bring anti-Israel activist Omar Barghouti to campus to speak in favor of boycotting all Israeli academic institutions. Omar Barghouti is the founder of the Palestinian Campaign for Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). Click here for the event’s flyer.
While the event is billed as a “debate and open discussion,” the only speaker is (to say the least) extremely one-sided. I encourage you to attend and to bring a real debate and discussion to the University of Minnesota’s event.
Here is some food for thought, and a bit of context regarding Barghouti’s organization, the anti-Semitism inherent in the international call for boycotting Israeli academic institutions, and the criticism of this boycott from academic institutions.
- This controversial and fringe political event is officially sponsored and thus has been given a stamp of approval by the University of Minnesota Departments of Asian Languages and Literatures, Cultural Studies and Comparative Literatures, Geography, and the Institute for Global Studies.
- Barghouti’s organization, PCABI, advocates a boycott of every single Israeli academic and cultural institution, regardless of the entity’s actual support for current Israeli policies towards the Palestinians. Even an academic or cultural organization’s silence, or encouragement of discussion and debate on the challenges and complexities of the Arab-Israeli conflict, does not remove it as a target of the boycott.
- PCABI advocates boycotting Israeli institutions in the following ways: “Refrain from participation in any form of academic and cultural cooperation, collaboration or joint projects with Israeli institutions; Advocate a comprehensive boycott of Israeli institutions at the national and international levels, including suspension of all forms of funding and subsidies to these institutions; Promote divestment and disinvestment from Israel by international academic institutions; Work toward the condemnation of Israeli policies by pressing for resolutions to be adopted by academic, professional and cultural associations and organizations; Support Palestinian academic and cultural institutions directly without requiring them to partner with Israeli counterparts as an explicit or implicit condition for such support.”
- PCABI’s strategy has been criticized by many academics in the United States and other parts of the Western World for endangering freedom of speech and expression, and threatening one of the most likely places (universities) where opportunities for political discussions and innovations can take place.
- If Israel’s institutions are responsible for the nation’s political decision-making, why not hold the University of Minnesota, or Macalester College responsible for our continued military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan? What criteria makes a private or public academic institution an arm of the state responsible for all of its initiatives and offensives?
- Barghouti characterizes Israel as an apartheid state and a colonial oppressor, has said that “accepting Israel as a “Jewish state” on our land is impossible,” describes Israel as fascist and is well-regarded in certain circles for his article “Spirit of Auschwitz” comparing the Israelis to the Nazis in their treatment of Palestinians.
- While Barghouti is leading the international call to boycott Israeli academic institutions, he himself is studying for his PhD at Tel Aviv University. Although there is a campaign to persuade Tel Aviv University to expel Barghouti for his efforts to do it harm, the University refuses to do so since it does not discriminate against students for their political beliefs or commitments.
- This boycott – and other boycotts of Israeli goods popularized by similar organizations in recent years – are not unique in Jewish history. In the Middle Ages, Jews in many parts of Europe were excluded from guilds and professions like ironmongers, shoemakers, tailors, barbers, butchers, and rag dealers. Jews were the victims of discriminatory taxes, were not allowed to own land; and later were economically marginalized by being forced into ghettos. In Germany and other parts of Europe in the buildup to the Holocaust, Jews were barred from most economic and social community life by policies like the Nuremberg Laws which deprived Jews of citizenship and restricted their ability to marry and associate with non-Jews. Is there really a difference between Barghouti’s categorical boycott of all the academic and cultural institutions of the world’s only Jewish nation and the preceding history of economic oppression and anti-Semitism?
What do you think? Please add your thoughts to the comments.
(Photo: Thomas Marthinsen)
As an alumnus of the University of Minnesota, I am appalled that the Institute for Global Studies and other departments are embracing such an anti-semitic, anti-Israel hate-monger like Barghouti. Omar’s comparison of the Democratic state of Israel to Hitler’s Nazi Germany is revolting — and quite gleefully fraudulent. Omar’s false charges are made even more absurd given Barghouti’s studying at Tel Aviv University while calling for everyone else (but himself) to boycott Israeli schools. Rather than attending Barghouti’s hate-fest on Nov. 4, I’ll spend my Wednesday contacting my fellow alums to alert them to the calibre of demagogues being welcomed here in Minneapolis. What a shameful day for Minnesota.
Paul, do you know specifically to where (or to whom) at the U we should direct our displeasure with this decision?
I’d begin by contacting the JCRC-Minneapolis, to find out their suggestions on who to write to. You might also contact the Minnesota Daily newspaper, to provide them with a letter to the editor about Barghouti. Good luck!
I think it would be productive to contact Evelyn Davidheiser, Director, Institute for Global Studies, at [email protected]. The Institute for Global Studies is a cosponsor of this event.
It should also be remembered that President Robert Bruininks was a signator to a New York Times ad declaring that an academic boycott of Israel is, “antithetical to the fundamental values of the academy.” This statement of August 8, 2007, was signed by hundreds of college and university presidents including the presidents of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and Duluth campuses, Hamline University, Minnesota State-Mankato, St. Cloud State University, and Macalester College.
We should thank President Bruininks for his leadership and strength on this issue.
I sent several letters of protest to the director of the Global Studies Department to which I personally belong as a student. I heard back once, then silence. Several arguments have been put forth, one questioning the event being a forum for advocacy as opposed to academic in nature, another being the official standard for event sponsorship. It looks at this point that unfortunately this event is going to take place. Therefore I encourage everyone to show up. We must use our freedom of speech to confront [Barghouti] who wishes to quell that right from others. This issue isn’t singularly about Jews and Arabs, but about the fundamental right to information from various sources, not dependent upon ethnic, religious, and national affiliation. Should we ban Spanish academics for Spain’s “occupation” of the Basque Country, England for their “occupation” of Scotland and Northern Ireland, or Turkish academics because of Kurdistan? Another question I would like to ask Mr. Barghouti is how he would feel about banning Israeli Arab academics? If the fact that he is advocating this boycott is distressing enough, how about all those professors and grad students from the University of Minnesota listed on their website?…Can you imagine if there was a list of 20 professors supporting segregation at the U? There would be a firestorm! Recently Olmert spoke in Chicago and was shouted down by anti-Israel protesters. I think we should smarter. One idea I have floated out there is a silent protest by putting duct tape over the mouth with a Star of David written with black magic marker. Are there any other ideas? What does everyone think?
Barghouti is advocating a boycott for very good reasons. The state of Israel has committed atrocities against the people of Palestine, violating international law and its own laws (specifically regarding illegal settlements), and this should be discussed openly. It is also appalling that our tax payer dollars pay for this kind of activity (since you’re so worried about public dollars and how they’re being used at the university of Minnesota). To be fair, I also think that the recent reports that Hamas has committed war crimes must be aired as well, so let’s have an open and frank discussion about human rights and democracy and our responsibilities to ALL people in this conflict, not just the Palestinians or Israelis (many of whom are Arab, by the way).
David, what does any of that have to do with a boycott of academic institutions? And what are his very good reasons, exactly?
There are two kinds of anti-Semites: stupid ones and clever ones. Stupid ones march through the streets, throw rocks and shout “Throw the Jews into the sea!” The clever ones say are just criticizing Israel and hide behind the so-called human rights farce. If one has actually been to Israel they would know how much better they live than in Lebanon, Jordan, or any one of their twenty-some countries. I don’t recall any boycotts against China, or Turkey who just recently bombed Kurds in Kurdistan, or Russia with Chechnya? To single out Israel can only be construed as the obvious. I still can’t get over why the Extreme Left is so anti-Israel (as is the Extreme-Right), especially when comparing Israel to its neighbors, including Gaza. Israel in general much more closely represents liberal Western values as we enjoy here in America and Europe. I wonder if Hamas has implemented their new law on crucifying gays? I’m sure the wonderfully enlightened UN Human Rights Council will run right out to investigate.
An Arab calling for a boycott of Jews, using the Palestinian “cause” as a mantle for a goal to destroy the state of Israel. An American university incapable of responding to even the most extreme and deceptive political fringe due to its own concept of “academic freedom.” Some things never change. . .
Letters have been written and signed by leaders of a number of U of M institutes, including the Student and Faculty Presidents. Not to mention Humphrey, who also wrote a letter against the boycott of Israel. Right now it seems as if their movement is dead in the water, but if it grows legs there will definitely be work to do.
We have video of the whole speaker (Omar) if anyone missed it. If anyone is interested, e-mail [email protected]. Thanks for the great article