7 Responses to “Boycott of Israel gains new support”  

1. 1 The Usual Suspect Sep 25th, 2006 at 11:49 pm

   This is interesting Hossam, but it could never ever happen in the US where the AIPAC, AJC and ADL have actively subverted academic freedom for years, despite claiming to respect the right of all to free speech and campaigning for civil liberties. Here are some examples:

   In 1984 the AIPAC published the College Guide: Exposign the Anti- Israel Campaign on Campus. The guide suggests that the response to pro- Palestian events or speakers shoud be to prevent them.

   In 1982, prominent members of Hartford’s Jewish community protested a talk by Edward Said (the father of Orientalism) because he was pro-Palestinian. Said was not invited to speak again.

   In 1982 the American Indian Law Students Association at Harvard Law invited Deena Abu Lughod to speak at a conference on the rights of indigenous peoples. The Harvard Jewish Law Students Assoc. protested loudly and there were several death threats aimed at the organisers.

   The Anti Defamation League of B’nai B’rith (ADL)monitor Noam Chomsky (yes Chomsky- my personal sociolinguistics hero!) and distribute literature attacking him with fabricated quotes.

2. 2 Hossam el-Hamalawy Sep 26th, 2006 at 9:03 am

   Thanks for sharing this info.. I indeed could never concieve a similar movement in the US at the moment (or at any other time, I guess).
   Without mentioning names, I was talking with an American academic who recently moved to Cairo, leaving his posh university he taught at back in the US. He described the academic milieu there to be “suffocating” for any academic who’s trying to be “objective” about ME politics. They get branded as “anti-semitic”, or if they are jewish then they become “self-hating jews” and the witch hunt starts rightaway.
   The more one reads about Campus Watch, and other similar initiatives, the more I feel disheartened with the American academic scene at present.

3. 3 The Usual Suspect Sep 27th, 2006 at 8:41 am

   Yes, you always think (hope) that freedom of speech is alive and well in academia but obviously it is not. I’ve not encountered anything like it at the University where I’m doing my PhD in Australia or at other Universities I’ve studied or worked at here. Mind you though I am not an academic, even though this will be my 4th University degree (just a glutton for punishment).
   There are a couple of academics who are notorious for putting forth their agenda and anyone who criticises Israel’s policies is quickly branded anti-Semitic by them.

4. 4 Hossam el-Hamalawy Sep 27th, 2006 at 11:34 am

   Interesting… what are you doing your PhD about? Something related to the ME? I wish you luck…

5. 5 The Usual Suspect Sep 27th, 2006 at 11:06 pm

   I wish something so interesting. No, I got a scholarship to do it on the media and fear of terrorism. As it’s part of a bigger project I have limited control of the broad scope. But, I do kind of get sidetracked by the more interesting stuff (well, more interesting to me anyway). I’ve got a lot out of it though- a lot of speaking engagements because everyone wants to hear what the Muslim chick talking about the threat of terrorism in Australia has to say- as if I’m going to give out some big secret or something. And I’ve managed to link in a lot of stuff on the jihadi mind set into my work- basically in relation to the use of propaganda and media influence.
   I don’t have a journalism background so it’s difficult for me to get into all the media stuff but I’m learning!

6. 6 Hossam el-Hamalawy Sep 28th, 2006 at 2:01 pm

   Well, you shouldn’t feel that bad, as the topic you are researching sounds actually interesting and I’m sure there’s a lot to be said about it.
   Whenever you get the change try to share some of your findings or thoughts with your readers on your blog.
   Best of luck…

7. 7 The Usual Suspect Sep 29th, 2006 at 2:23 am

   Here is a link to an interview I had on the subject- enjoy!
   I’d be interested in your thoughts too.

   http://3degree.cci.ecu.edu.au/articles/view/713