BOYCOTT! Stands with Dr. Neve Gordon for BDS and Against Oppression

The Alternative Information Center – 24 Aug 2009
www.alternativenews.org/english/2107-boycott-stands-with-dr-neve-gordon-for-bds-and-against-oppression.html

BOYCOTT! would like to extend its support and appreciation to Dr. Neve Gordon of Ben-Gurion University in Beer-Sheva for publishing his position in support of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel in an LA Times Op-Ed . In an overwhelming assault on freedom of speech, Gordon has met with immediate condemnation in the Israeli media, coming from the Minister of Education and several right wing political parties. Even though he was writing on a subject directly within the scope of his academic expertise, he was attacked by his own university, whose President, Prof. Rivka Carmi, went as far as to say that “the university may no longer be interested in his services”. The attempt to silence Gordon as well as the threats leveled against him illustrate how resistant Israeli society and institutions are to bringing about change, thus confirming the need for external pressure in an attempt to force Israel to end its colonial and apartheid policies and bring about justice for Palestinians.

The Palestinian civil society Call for global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel, launched in July 2005 by over 170 Palestinian political parties, unions and organizations offers an opportunity to join the collective effort for justice for the Palestinian people, based on the successful South African model. It is noteworthy that the Palestinian call for boycott is aimed at institutions rather than an inclusive and personal boycott of Israelis as individuals.

Reiterating the Palestinian call, we urge civil society institutions as well as concerned citizens around the world to find inspiration in the strength and effectiveness of the anti-apartheid movement of the 1980s:

Integrate BDS in every struggle for justice and human rights by adopting wide, context-sensitive and sustainable boycotts of Israeli products, companies, academic and cultural institutions, and sports groups, similar to the actions taken against apartheid South Africa;
Ensure that national and multinational corporations are held accountable and sanctioned accordingly for profiteering from Israel’s occupation and other Israeli violations of human rights and international law;
Work towards canceling and blocking free trade and other preferential agreements with Israel;
Pressure governments to impose a direct and indirect arms embargo on Israel, which will guarantee end-user compliance with international law and human rights principles.

As citizens and residents of the State of Israel, we stand with Dr. Neve Gordon in echoing the Palestinian call for boycott, divestments, and sanctions, and in saying NO to the persecution of those who strive for freedom.

1. Prof. Rachel Giora, Tel Aviv
2. Dr. Anat Matar, Tel Aviv
3. Dr. Kobi Snitz, Haifa
4. Jonathan Pollak, Jaffa
5. Yael Lerer, Tel Aviv
6. Ofer Neiman, Jerusalem
7. Adi Dagan, Tel Aviv
8. Dr. Marcelo Svirsky
9. Michal Zak, Neve Shalom
10. Adv. Emily Schaeffer, Tel Aviv
11. Sergio N. Yahni, Jerusalem
12. Tal Shapira, Omer
13. Haggai Matar, Tel Aviv
14. Sonya Soloviov
15. Ronnie Barkan, Tel Aviv
16. Prof. Uri Davis, Ramle
17. Naama Farjoun
18. Israel Naor, Hertzliya
19. Dr. Dorothy Naor, Hertzliya
20. Bekah Bloom
21. Dr. Eyal Nir, Tel Aviv
22. Dr. David Nir, Jaffa
23. Yana Knopova
24. Jonathan Stanczak
25. Yossef Lubovsky, Tel Aviv
26. Dr. Aharon Shabtai