Calling the AUT boycott "unjustified and an egregious violation of the basic rules of the academic community," the statement emphasizes that "Differences must be rationally discussed, not silenced through boycotts and blacklists."
Paul Miller, AJCongress President, said, "We are pleased that such prominent citizens of our country have joined us in confronting such blatant displays of anti-Israel bias by stating that the AUT boycott of Israeli universities violates fundamental academic values. We must not compromise academic freedom for blatant political objectives."
The full text of the statement follows:
Statement by Rhodes Scholars on AUT Boycott of Israeli Universities
The British Association of University Teachers (AUT) has initiated a boycott of Israeli universities urging the abandonment of any academic and cultural cooperation or collaboration with Israeli institutions. This boycott is unjustified and an egregious violation of the basic rules of the academic community.
Freedom of speech and inclusion of all parties who are committed to pursuing truth are essential values in academic life. Boycotts of universities and their professors violate these fundamental values. Differences must be rationally discussed, not silenced through boycotts and blacklists.
Singling out Israeli universities for censure also suggests an unjust double standard and unfair prejudice against the Jewish State.
We urge the AUT to rescind its boycott immediately.
Signed by the following Rhodes Scholars: -0- Ryan Balot, Washington University T.A. Barron, Author Thomas Carbonneau, Distinguished Professor, Penn State-Dickinson School of Law Bradley Carson, United States Congress (Oklahoma) Fred Cohen, University of California, San Francisco John V. Fleming, Fairchild Professor, Princeton University David S. Goldbloom, University of Toronto Joel K. Goldstein, St. Louis University School of Law Douglas Hunt, University of Missouri James H. Merrell, Lucy Maynard Salmon Professor, Vassar College Joseph Nye, Former Dean, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Hamilton F. Richardson Betsy L. Roe, Central College David H. Roe, President, Central College Larry Sabato, Director of Center for Politics, University of Virginia Andrew W. Savitz David Vitter, United States Senate (Louisiana) James Woolsey, Former Director of Central Intelligence Agency Edwin Yoder Jr., Author and Editor
Institutions are listed for purposes of identification only and do not reflect endorsement of this statement.
The American Jewish Congress is a membership association of Jewish Americans, organized to defend Jewish interests at home and abroad, through public policy advocacy, in the courts, Congress, the executive branch and state and local governments. It also works overseas with others who are similarly engaged.
© 2005 Business Wire
