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From The Times

June 14, 2007

This boycott is not just wrong, it’s anti-Semitic

Anthony Julius and Alan Dershowitz

Read the full-length version of this article here

The University and College Union on May 30 passed two boycott resolutions. Resolution 30 endorsed the call for an academic boycott of Israel by a Palestinian boycott group, PACBI. It also committed union funds to promoting it on campuses. But it did not commit the university teachers’ union itself to a boycott. Resolution 31 condemned the US and EU boycott of the Palestinian Authority (that is, the “suspension of aid”). Israel’s universities, which are liberal institutions, are to be shunned; the authority, which is governed by a party committed to the destruction of Israel, is to be embraced.

What happens when people are boycotted? The ordinary courtesies of life are no longer extended to them. They are not acknowledged in the street; their goods are not bought, their services are not employed. The boycott is an act of violence, though of a paradoxical kind – one of recoil and expulsion rather than assault. It announces a certain moral distaste; it is always self-congratulatory: “I am too fine a person to have anything to do with those people.”

All boycotts are problematic; academic boycotts especially so. They violate two important principles – the principle known as “the universality of science and learning” and freedom of expression.

The first principle is that academics do not discriminate against colleagues on the basis of factors that are irrelevant to their academic work. There are three justifications for the principle: the advance of science is potentially of benefit to all mankind; the value of a given contribution to science ought to be judged on its own merits; scientists’ cooperation transcends race, citizenship, religion.

Freedom of expression is one of the principal means by which we realise ourselves. It is by speaking or writing that we discover who we are. To limit or deny self-expression is thus an attack at the root of what it is to be human. It is not sufficient for my freedom of expression for me simply to be free to speak. What matters to me is that people should also be free to hear me. Boycotts put a barrier in front of the speaker. When he addresses another, that other turns away.

Beyond formulaic denunciations of Israel, the boycotters rarely offer a rational account of why it is right to shun Israel’s academic institutions. The supporters of the UCU resolutions, for example, relied instead upon the unargued assertions that a boycott was justified because:

First, Israel’s universities are complicit in its misdeeds. Some boycotters allege active complicity; others, a complicity that arises either through failure to condemn the State’s misdeeds or because the universities are organs of the State.

Secondly, Israel’s misdeeds justify the boycott regardless of the universities’ own complicity in them. The universities are an important aspect of the prestige that Israel enjoys in the world, and this prestige is not deserved because of its treatment of the Palestinians.

Even if true, these assertions do not justify a boycott. Complicity in the State’s misdeeds, still less the mere fact of those misdeeds, violates neither of the two academic principles. Consider the “complicity” complaint. It does not stand up to a moment’s scrutiny. Any doubts on the matter would be dispelled by reading the “Open Letter from Faculty Members” in which 358 academics criticised the Israeli Government’s actions in the occupied territories.

Or consider the boycotters’ defensive position, that Israel should be held to a higher standard than, say, Iran or North Korea, because it is a democracy. The position in turn exists in two versions: first, because Israel is a democracy, the entire people are to be associated with the actions of the Government. The effect is to give a free pass to tyrannies and to disclose a basic misunderstanding of the nature of democratic accountability. Democracies make rulers accountable to the people; they do not make the people accountable to third parties. To think otherwise is to embrace a pseudo-democratic version of the belief in collective national guilt. Secondly, because Israel purports to respect law and human rights, it should be sanctioned if it fails to do so. But there is not a single country that does not purport to respect law and human rights.

It may be enough to say: “The boycotters are wrong” and leave it at that. But the boycotters are not just adopting bad politics derived from faulty thinking. There is an edge of malice to their campaign. Their desire to hurt, to punish, outstrips their ability even to identify with any precision their targets – all Israeli universities without exception? All academics within those universities? Israeli academics in non-Israeli universities? They cannot say. And so the question arises – does this malice have a name? To be blunt, is it anti-Semitic?

The academic boycott resonates with earlier boycotts of Jews, whether those of medieval Europe or the Third Reich. The history of anti-Semitism is in part the history of boycotts of Jews. Each boycott derives from a principle of exclusion: Jews and/or the Jewish State are to be excluded from public life, from the community of nations, because they are dangerous and malign. We see an essential continuity here, but even if we are wrong about this, the boycott has indeed been an essential tool of anti-Semites for at least a thousand years. And who but the crassest of individuals, those least sensitive to the burden of anti-Semitism’s history on Jews, would wish to impose precisely that sanction on the Jewish State today?

Second, it is predicated on the defamation of Jews. The Jewish State, in pursuance of its racist ideology, is perceived as pure aggressor, and the Palestinians as pure victims. The boycotters would deny to Jews the rights that they uphold for other peoples. They adhere to the principle of national self-determination, except in the Jews’ case. They affirm international law, except in Israel’s case. They are outraged by the Jewish nature of the State of Israel, but are untroubled (say) by the Islamic nature of Iran or of Saudi Arabia. They regard Zionism as uniquely pernicious, rather than as merely another nationalism. They are indifferent to Jewish suffering, while being sensitive to the suffering of nonJews. They overstate, on every occasion, and beyond reason, any case that could be made against Israel’s actions, and wildly overstate the significance of the Israel/Palestine conflict – indeed, they put Jews at the centre of world affairs.

Longstanding anti-Semites now embrace “anti-Zionism” as a cover for their Jew-hatred. This is because, in relation to Israel, the antiSemite finds a protected voice. The desire to destroy Jews has been reconfigured as the desire to destroy or dismantle the Jewish State. Boycotters may have Jewish friends, they may be Jews themselves – but in supporting a boycott they have put themselves in anti-Semitism’s camp.

Take a step back, and ask the most fundamental of questions. What is anti-Semitism? Anti-Semitism consists, first, of beliefs about Jews that are both false and hostile, and secondly, of injurious things said to or about Jews, or done to them, in consequence of those beliefs. It is no enlargement at all to rewrite this definition as follows. Anti-Semitism consists, first, of beliefs about Jews or the Jewish State that are both false and hostile, and secondly, of injurious things said to or about Jews or the Jewish State, or done to them, in consequence of those beliefs. Anti-Semites wrong Jews and the Jewish State, and they are wrong about Jews and the Jewish State. Many antiSemites also want to hurt Jews and the Jewish State or deny to them freedoms or rights enjoyed by nonJews or the generality of states.

The fight against the boycott is one aspect, perhaps the most urgent aspect, of the contemporary fight against anti-Semitism.

Anthony Julius is Visiting Professor in the English Department at Birkbeck, University of London. Alan Dershowitz is the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law at Harvard

An economic boycott is a tactic to put end the Israeli-Palestinian apartheid.

Zionists within Israel and beyond are hell bent on perpetuating their ideology, which speicifically calls for annihiation for Palestine.

Their tactics differ.

Boycott were fantastically successfull in South Africa

Taimur Siddiqui, Manchester,

UCU legal advisors have now determined that the boycott against Israeli Academics was indirect discrimination. This is a big step in the right direction. Now the anti-semites within the union are no longer even allowed to discuss this boycott at union meetings. I am now considering returning to my union because I no longer have to choose between my religious beliefs and union membership.
However all the talk and internal postings that even sunk to the level of holocaust denial have left me feeling quite uneasy about being associated with a group that has even a small number of such dedicated racists.

Lori Fredrics, Hampton Wick, UK

I am sad to report that some members of the UCU have stooped to holocaust denial on their internal message boards. It would be against policy to actually post the messages but as they are very serious in nature it may serve the better good to eventually expose these criminals.

I want to get the word out about who is behind this boycott.

People like Kieran from Brighton might be sincere in their separation of criticism of the Israeli government from the general hating Jews, but the sad truth is that the UK academics who are behind the exclusion of Israeli Academics (some of the most outspoken left wing Israelis) are actually anti-semites. They have been emboldened by getting away trampling their opposition and are now showing their true colours.

Lori Fredrics, London, UK

Jim Johnson: that is an urban myth, spread by people who hate the British in the same way anti-Semites hate Jews. The holocaust is a compulsory topic in all English schools.

See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6563429.stm

Paul, London, UK

Hum............I understand that last month the City of London through it's School Board, (or what passes for it) has decreed that the Holocost will no longer be taught in it's schools, as the people of islam (small i, as they are a small minded and vicious people) do not believe in it.

I wonder if these baby machine people believe in the Tooth Fairy instead? Question: How do you procreate with a woman wearing that silly black outfit, that looks like an extreme covering for a bee keeper? Must get a bit sweaty and smelly in the process, just like this Union Anti-Semitism that's going around in University circles, which plays right into the hands of your UK islamic thugs. The way you folks treat these islamics, pretty soon you all as a nation will be bowing down to mecca and combing the lice out of your bushy beards.

Good Luck. I'm REAL glad that my ancestors got out of the UK years ago, and not have to see your proud nation succomb to this ignorant rabble!

jim johnson, framingham, ma. USA

Let's hear it from those that wish to support this boycott...well done! Good!
Now how about you also boycotting China for their continued occupation of Tibet......? No...? Is it because the Chinese aren't Jewish.....? Or the Tibetans not Muslims...?

Hypocrites

Phil, Preston,

"It is no enlargement at all to rewrite this definition as follows."

Of course it is, it's a deliberate and fraudulent confusion of the issue in order not to have to deal with justified criticism.

Criticism of the policies of the Israeli government is no more anti-semitic than criticism of the policies of Mugabe's government is racist.

Kieran, Brighton,

Those that take exception with the argument of anti-Semitism vis-Ã -vis anti-Israel rhetoric, continually misstate the argument itself. Prof. Dershowitz and others do not make the claim that criticism of Israeli policy is in and of itself anti-Semitic. They point out the greatly inordinate concern--obssession really--with the Jewish state. One would think that the state of Israel might perhaps be 5th or 13th on any social agenda, when it is in fact commonly the only issue. And, the state of human rights of hundreds of millions of Islamic women, as an obvious example, would be closer to the top of the list. This issue is instead relegated to mere cultural diversity. In so much as every world ill translates back to Israel, the attitude in question is anti-Semitic because its proponents exclusively direct their indignation toward the Jewish state and in a proportion vastly outweighing its relative importance on the world stage, while seemingly oblivious to any other concern.

Isaac Citrom, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

To Andrew of Lincoln "UK Academic" I say to you and fellow UCU members, get off your arses, into the branches and retake your union back from these lefties and fascists "hijackers".
Then, this country will have a truly representative body of higher learning, promoting the noblest values of academia and be worthy of those who fought in two World wars for your unfettered freedom to study. Heed the words of Edmund Burke:-
"When bad men combine , the good must associate , else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle"
Display this on the door of all union meeting rooms and remember it when inside!!

Barry Walsh (non academic), Wokingham, UK

Not only that, Andrew (and I am glad to read your comments): it is always the same shouting rent-a-mob that is at the forefront of such hijacking. Even on these message-boards, the same names (e.g. from a well-known Midlands university) crop up time and time again to display their total bias.
How many boycotts by these so-called 'academics' have been promoted against China for its brutal repression of Tibet, for example? The obsession with Israel is simply an expression of pathological hatred of Jews.

Ann Sinclair, Manchester,

The UCU did not "endorse" a call for a boycott of Israel.

As the UCU website states;
"The union has confirmed that it is now considering the necessary steps for members to be able to debate the arguments for and against an academic boycott of Israeli universities. This does not mean an academic boycott is in place, it means that individual branches will debate the pros and cons of boycott."

The topic will be debated, but to provide context;

"UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'As I have repeatedly said, I do not believe an academic boycott of Israel is the issue UCU members want the union to prioritise."

Any talk of a boycott is premature, but any attempt to prevent a debate will seem like a check on free speech and so be counterproductive.

Jan,

Jan Jansen, Amsterdam, Netherlands

I don,t think every critic of Israel can be considerd anti-semetic I am jewish and feel perfectly free to criticise Israel .I also feel free to criticise palestinian leaders and their supporters. Surrounding nations set out to destroy the fledgling state at birth . If the lesson of the second world war was to oppose racism and fascism .For many jews the lesson learn,t was to remain strong and vigalent as well . The internal debate within each jewish person is how can we achieve peace without putting our survival at risk. Palestinian,s and their supporters made no effort to understand this . It was all their land and they wanted it back .Every action to destroy Israel put more Israeli,s in the security first peace later camp . Every rocket fired from gaza reduce,s the chance of a Palestinian state and every harsh response put,s more Palestinian,s in the annihalate Israel camp. If the academic,s wish to boycott Israel ok . But don,t be suprised if more Israeli,s want security first .

Dave m, Lewisham, england

Speaking as a UK academic, neither I, nor any of the colleagues I have discussed the issue with, support this proposed boycott. It is typical of the totemic radicalism of the activists who highjack our union for their own misguided political purposes. Academics are not responsible for the political behavior of their governments, and open dialog in the academy is a force for good, irrespective of the country involved.
This makes a great news story, perhaps, but nobody should think it reflects the views of any than a self-righteous minority here.

Andrew, Lincoln, UK

Is it better to boycot Israeli academics or Hamas? It may be helpful to compare charters. The charter for Israeli academics is the informal, international one about advancing human knowledge. A part of the Hamas charter reads: "The Day of Judgement will not come about until Moslems fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Moslems, O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him." The quote is allegedly from the sayings of the prophet. Not company I want to keep. And yes, I am anti-Islamist, where Islamist refers to a totalitarian welding of religion and politics.

cmaje, Melbourne,

To IB of Southport from victor, Malaga, Spain. Yes, of course I know... but it's fun isn't it winding up all these 'usual suspects' ? Amazing the number of damp stones there are out them from under which they crawl.

victor, Malaga, Spain

Ok. Let us agree that the boycott is anti-semitic. What of it ? Even if it was not anti-semitic you would accuse those of supporting it as being so. That has become Israel's standard reaction to any form of criticism. So let us put that aside. Is the boycott justified ? Yes. Anti-semitic or not, the boycott is justified. That academics do not have the belief, zeal or anti-something-else principles to initiate boycotts against other nations that behave in a similar way to Israel does not lesson this justification. The way you treat Palestinian people is reprehensible as is the way some of them treat you. You currently justify your treatment of these people by a constant referral to sucide bombers but your attitude to Palestinians was not moulded by suicide bombers. It was moulded long before that. Whether or not the boycott is right at least it has started a debate on the issue of Israeli compliance with a form of state terrorism. That in itself must be a good thing.

APK, Bruxelles,

Anit-Zionism = Anti-Semitism=Racisim.
We can all look back at the German Empire pre-Nazism, and comment how one of the most educated countries in the world could fall to such a primative instinct. The intimidation then forcibly converted the remaining masses from fear. We face the same situation less than 70 years later, and how the world again could fall from such propaganda is perplexing. In Inverted marketing the agressor becomes the opressed, and have we fallen for this again? Remeber that Germany claimed that Poland attacked Germany to start the 2nd world war. Do we know better now? Learn from history so not to repeat those same mistakes in the future. Fear not of the Muslim domination of your country, and stand up for academic freedom and democracy. The boycott is misdirected.

Ralph G., Toronto, Canada

Why is it that all these ideas of boycotts, always seem to be aimed at Israel. Which other country in the world is demonised for trying to defend itself from terrorism.

Anthony Mammon, New York City, NY, USA

after the 6 day war Israel offered to givce back all the conquered land, ( which no country has ever done ) , the response was no negotiations !!!! How can such a small country occupy that large population ? Occupied people WILL REBEL, thus todays tragic situation. Israel needs help, NOT BOYCOTS. People of GOOD WILL, especially Christians should have pity on this tiny besieged land !!!!!!!!!!!!

leah gever, plymouth meeting, pa. usa

Isrealis invented the mobile phone. I'd like to see us cope without them.

Ben, York,

There is a saying (You get Judged by your behaviour)
It is about time to stop using the excuse of antisemitism. Get over it .

Tom ballantyne, Sarasota, florida

These men, and others like them, make the term 'anti-Semitic' meaningless.

Israel is a state, not a religious organization.

If it wants to be regarded as a state like any other, then it must be subject to criticism and public reaction to its excesses.

And there have been plenty of bloody excesses.

On top of all the thousands of civilians killed in its invasions, Israel is the source of scores of assassinations, thousands of illegal arrests, torture, threats and provocations,

What it did in Lebanon recently was simply a war crime, killing 1500 people, destroying part of a city, and leaving behind tens of thousands of hideous cluster-bomb bomblets.

And Israel runs an apartheid state.

Why should it surprise anyone that some people want to bring what pressure they can to end these practices? South Africa only changed owing to international pressure.

People have a right to boycott something without be called names.

John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada

Dershowitz has explicitly compared this mildest of forms of protest with the treatment by the Nazis of Jews in the Holocaust. This kinds of statement virtually preclusdes rational discussion. But leaving aside crude smears like this - and the inevitable accusation by Zionists of 'anti-Semitism' it should be remarked that those in UCU and other unions supporting the boycott of Israeli academic institutions are protesting against the denial of academic freedom to their Palestinian colleagues - virtually no mention of this is made by those who speak so loftily of the universality of academic freedom. The focus on Israeli academics is because they are in a unique position in a state that calls itself democratic to speak out powerfully against the damage that has been done over many decades to academic life in the occupied territories as part of a systematic government policy of repression.

david s, norwich, UK

To be really 'fundamental' is to acknowledge that Israel as a state has never caused trouble since its inception but has always been fighting a rearguard defence action. Are they mad? Do they want continual trouble?

Let's get back to basics.

alex dahn, Bangor, N Ireland

Funny the british academy announced boycott on Israel while one week ago Britain bought from Israel army equipment, meaning Britain uses Israel technology, which is thanks to our academies...

Avi, Givatayim, Israel

How is this anti-Semitic? These people are boycotting for a reason. Israel is the foundation of much of the hatred and strife that goes on in the Middle East and any other country that supports it around the world. Why do Muslim fundamentalists hate America? Because we support Israel. Why do Muslim fundamentalists hate the UK? Because they support America. Israel has very little to do with the Jews; if it wasn't for the Western powers, it would not exist today, and that is a FACT (they did create it after all.) Israel is as Jewish as Colonial India was British; it is ignorance to think that to hate Israel is to hate Jews. Pulling the racism card is stooping pretty low there…

Brett, Los Angeles, California

Can any of the AIPAC / GIYUS legions on this and every other infested forum tell me, is it possible to criticize Israel and NOT be tarred with the anti-Semite brush?

In all of my long years, I have never met anyone who said they were an anti-Semite or even hated all Jews. I have however met lots of people (Jews included) who despise Zionists and the term anti-Zionist would be more correct and accurate. Remember, Arabs (Christians and Muslims) are Semitic peoples too. Zionist fanatics cannot speak for all Jewry, especially when their actions go against what is written in the Torah.

Rod Polisher, Scunthorpe, UK

Interesting that no one seems to point out that there are others besides Jews on faculties of the Israeli Universities. So....it's more than "Anti-Semitic". It's wrong by any definition.

Joanie, Jacksonville, Florida/USA

I have replied before in short and than looked at some of the comments and was SHOCKED! has everybody gone mad? I know Israel is not perfect and I am not crazy about the settlements either, but how can some suggest to sit down with Hamas? did u watch the news lately? Katusia rockets on Kyriat Shemone today again!!!
If not for the road blocks and other preventative measures(not nice but effective) many more civilians would have been killed. Israels basshers face the facts! A. the settlements and so called apartheid policies are all as a result of Arab aggression before the 6 day war. B. even after the war Israel wanted to trade all territories for peace and was flatly rejected by the famous 3 NO's in the Kart um conference, and yes look what happened when they left Gaza! so U all get real and face the real fact. The poor Palestinians where always masters in shooting themselves in the foot, and its true today as I write as well .
Haim Montreal

Haim, montreal,

Messrs. Dershowitz and Julius, it seems, can't tell the difference between a boycott and a pogrom. Very disappointing of them.

They also don't seem to have actually read the boycott call or the motions we passed at UCU Congress, otherwise they would not write:
"all Israeli universities without exception? All academics within those universities? Israeli academics in non-Israeli universities? They cannot say."
Allow me, gentlemen, to spell it out for you:
"all Israeli universities without exception?" YES, because they are all implicated in the occupation to some extent or other.
"All academics within those universities?" NO, NONE OF THEM, because the boycott being called for is one of INSTITUTIONS not of individuals.
"Israeli academics in non-Israeli universities?" Absolutely NOT - but non-Israeli academics in Israeli institutions could be indirectly affected by the boycott of their universitites.

I'm sorry if this drives a coach and horses through your plans to sue us all.

Sue Blackwell, Birmingham, UK

What a crass display of anti-semitism by the British academics so eager to kiss terrorists' feet. Today, I and some of my colleagues start our own boycott of British academia and will look for like-minded colleagues to extend this boucott. We will NOT publish in British journals, will not attend conferences in Britain, will not invite British academics for any research collaboration, and so on. Let the British academics feel the effects of such boycott.

arjun, Los Angeles, CA

If the majority of univsersities in Britain were behind this boycott Israel wold still remain a free country with free nstitutions like the Israeli universities, but for Britain it would be a major defeat as a free society, a betrayal of freedom that in The Second World War vas the hope for the world. But Britains finest hour is not forgotten by the reat majority of Britons and not forgotten by Europe which it saved. The people behind the boycott have followed Western Europe as a dark shadow from the time of the mass murderers of Moscow and Beejing.Specialists in blackmailing free people.

Ragnar Ulstein, Aalesund, Norway

Presumably all the boycott supporters here are posting using PCs that are NOT based around Intel Pentium chips (designed and built by Israeli hardware engineers,in Israel). Shower of hypocrites.

ratonthebeam, Aberdeen, Scotland

Allan Dershowitz is 1000% right.

Haim, montreal,

Re this article's aclaimed reasoned arguments:
1. Hamas rejects Israel with elastic borders, as Israel refuses recognition of a meaningful Palestine but offers â€˜Ceasefireâ€™ within 1967 borders. Its 1987 Charter to â€˜Destroy Israelâ€™ mirrors manifestos of Haganah, Stern & Irgun gangs forming Israel
2.If boycot on Israel says â€˜am too fine a person to deal with these peopleâ€™, ditto to embargo on Palestinians now for voting Hamas.
3. If academic boycotts on Israel are bad, so are Israeli ones on Palestinians whose freedom to study is hardly equal to someone living in Haifa.
4.Israeli Unis can transcend a bit by tackling Israelisociety callin palestinian existence a 'Time bomb'
5. Israeli Unis are freer than US ones re criticizing Israel. Big WOW. Still a pious foil, until Dershowitz & Co in US open their mouths. Maybe Israel will then sit up.
6. Oh the Israeli population shouldnâ€™t suffer collective punishment for their government actions! Erm.What has Israel been doing to Palestinians?

Tomas, South London, UK

"Israel practices apartheid. That is a fact." That is a LIE. I suggest you find a good dictionary and look up the word "Apartheid".
"There are Jewish roads, and non-jewish roads to travel around on (guess which are quicker and better). That is a fact. " That is a LIE. There are ISRAELI-CITIZEN only roads. Last time I looked, there were over 1 million Muslim citizens in Israel, and more than a few Christians. The road thing is to to with security, not religion.
"Arabs are being ghettoized in the Occupied territories. That is a fact. There are huge concrete barriers going up which put the Palestinians into virtual prisons. That is a fact. " That is a LIE. Gaza has not been "occupied" since 2005. The West Bank citizens enjoy a better quality of life than their brethren in surrounding Lebanon and Jordan, with longer lifespan,better education etc.
"Israel practices collective punishment, which is against the Geneva Conventions. That is a fact." That is another LIE.

Chrissie Nyssen, Aberdeen,

I hope no American university or institution will allocate grants to any British university person, or British instiitution until this shameful boycott decision is rescinded. The reason for shunning them is just lack of intellectueal integrity which is the basis of university research. Without it, no trust in any result the British research peeple could produce.
I would also recommend that they ban all British scientific and university journals, for the same reason: cannot be trusted due to lack of intellectual integrity.

Nonoirl, Neuilly, France

"One thing I have never understood about the Jewish obsession with anti-semitism is how it flies in the face of the inherent racism of Judaism." [renton, London]

Oh this is ignorance beyond belief. The Jewish nation is made up of Jews of European extraction (Askenazi), and Middle Eastern/NorthAfrican extraction (Sephardim). Haven't you heard of black Jews of Ethipoia (the Falasha) who were taken into Israel, by rabbinical decree? What;s racist about that?

Renton's comments, like so many on this forum are based on ignorance and prejudice - Jews are bad, so they must be racist musn't they? If you want to talk about real racism, see what the Palestinians and Saudis and Egyptians teach their children about Jews.

But you won't look at that will you, because it doesn't fit with your myth of the noble peace-loving, butter-wouldn't-melt-in-their-mouths poor, suffering Arabs.

Andy Gill, London UK,

The boycotters are rewriting history or are ignorant of it. In 1967, Israel was threatened with destruction by its neighbours. Israel went to war to remove the threat. Israel told Jordan that if it remained uninvolved it would not be attacked, but relying on falsified intelligence, they did. The outcome was that Israel conquered its enemies and occupied some of their territory. Immediately after cessation of hostilities, Israel offered land for peace which was rejected by all Arab states. Their Khartoum declaration stated "no negotiations, no peace, no Israel". No victor in war has had to give up land without concessions from their defeated enemies, or even offered to do so. When Israel quit Gaza, the Palestinians trashed assets left for them to use to earn a livelihood. Now, in Gaza, with no involvement from Israel, Palestinians are killing their brethren, so why should Israel be boycotted? Those who want to boycott Israel are covert anti-semites, but will not admit it.

G Bernstein, London, UK

The formation of the state of Israel has been the source of millions of deaths across the world and is at the root of the emergence of Political Islam and their terrorist extremists. It is costing us a fortune in destabilising the economic system from time to time and is brutal. The whole world is suffering because of this. The issue is land and the theft of land and the academics know this. You can fool some of the people some of the time........... The saying goes. You cannot fool the academics. The Israeli universities supply breath to the legitimacy of the state of Israel and therefore the boycott is justified. The sooner that Israel starts to look at itself and examine its conscience the better. The true indigenous population of Palestine are boxed off in camps. While the Russians, Brookynites and others who are not refugees can bask in their ill-gotten gains. Yes keep up the boycott. It is not anti Semitic it is plainly a case of theft and the thieves should be brought to account

Martin Thomas, Liverpool,

Zionism is racism. A democracy for one well-defined and well-entrenched ethnic group is no democracy at all. See South Africa and Apartheid. Zionism is bigoted. Having a homeland built on the homes of others requires a racist dehumanization of those "Others" to fulfill the racist dream. Pulling out the "anti-Semitism" card has kept Zionists in power dividing and misleading the world and creating all aspects of what is now known as the "War on Terror."

God Save the Queen, Nowhere, Still Nowhere

In 1933 Hitler was democratically elected, just as the Hamas was, amid a bitter and angry people. Currently the hamas government was dissolved, more then likely due to their public executions of fellow Palestinians. People rail against Isreal screaming angrily that they need to smarten up, but they forget that the people they want Isreal to "free" are not even capable of becoming a state that would be self sustaining. The need to protect ones citizens is important, people who live in peaceful areas tend to overlook this until they are forced to defend themselves. England of all countries should understand what it is like to live in the shadow of terrorism, with the decades of IRA bombings and now the Al qeada terrorism it currently faces. I don't see the acedemicas calling for a boycott of the institutions of countries who support and fund these radicals. They should also be boycotting those countries and institutions too. I guess they don't want to be labled as anti Muslim too.

Gord, Terrace bay, Canada

G Bernstein, London, UK

Presumably all the boycott supporters here are posting using PCs that are NOT based around Intel Pentium chips (designed and built by Israeli hardware engineers,in Israel). Shower of hypocrites.

ratonthebeam, Aberdeen, Scotland

I find that many educated people in UK universities seem to have no knowledge of history. it was the British government who first agreed to giving the jewish people a land for themselves, guess where? In the middle of the land of Israel then called Palestine. A boycott based on bias against their own decision is absurd. I have lived many years in Israel among the Arab and Jewish people, and I have never heard an Arab say they would prefer to live on the West bank area, they all prefer the benefits of israel. Israel offered the Arabs the opportunity for citizenship after the setting up of the state of israel, they refused. Should not the boycott be against the UK and UN who created the State of Israel. However, they were only doing what God of Israel had said thousands of years before that He would do, He would return them to their own land and they would never be displaced again(Amos 9 v12-17. Any argurment is with God, Israel-God bless you and protect you from this antisemetic venom!

Dorothy Finlay, Tauranga, New Zealand

I would have agreed with a boycott given the Isreali treatment of the Palestinians but looking at the Palestinaian behaviour to each other I would now turn away and say it's their problem keep us out of it.

D Cage, Highworth, UK

Israelis were abused by the Nazis, and the Israelis in turn have developed a form of gross and prolonged abuse of Palestinians by every means: economic, military, public relations, and as we see, intellectual.

The Israelis are in total denial, and like dictators who quell any sort of positive criticism, do so using the aggressive and highly charged phrase ''anti-Semitic''.

Israel's form of democracy is to only allow Israelis to criticise: the rest of the world is branded anti-Semitic and told to shut up. That is a perverted form of liberal democracy.

Perhaps Israel should consider that those who Israel has deemed ‘friends’ and who have blindly ‘supported’ Israel’s actions have led to this situation: that like child abusers, Israelis have gone on to abuse others for over forty years.

Israelis of all people, having been at the receiving end of capital punishment at the hands of the Nazis, should know better than to treat other human beings like this.

K. Urban, London, UK

Zionism is just another form of nationalism? The key difference is that other, legitimate forms of nationalism involve people asserting their territorial rights. Zionists are asserting these "rights" on the land of others, thereby making their claims entirely illegitimate accordng to both international and moral conventions. Then again, Zionists have never adhered to either convention, considering themselves to be above laws that the rest of humanity must abide by. Herein lies the crux of the issue and it is a factor that the courageous Union recognizes and has acted upon its collective conscience. Would that the Zionists were able to develop one themselves. Of course, the hypocrisy of Dershowitz extolling freedom of expression while "boycotting" Norman Finkelstein's tenure bid is nauseating if not so terribly predictable from him and his ilk.

Seth, New York, USA

Haven't read all comments though I'm sure many know that Palestinians are a Semitic people, while respectfully many 'Jews' are not Semitic . This endorsement maybe anti-Jewish though it is nowise anti-semitic. If you wish to use the English language try not to impose inaccuracy of the highest calibre. One does not impose interpretations
As far as boycotts go they seem to have little effect. This boycott also ignores those Jews who find the state of Israel less than representative of all Jew thought .
Thus using 'anti'semitism' incorrectly serves only to deliberately annoy and essentially does little to dissuade anto jewishism, anti palestinianism,anti goyism etc,etc,ad infinitum.

Ewan Macindoe, Prague, Cechy

I wonder, if the world had wanted to boycott Germany in the 1930's because they were discriminating against the Jews would that have been anti-German or anti-german-policy?

How exactly is it that Israel can create ghettos, complete with armed guards and concrete and barbed wire barriers, and not draw comparrisons with Poland?

How can any nation state born as Israel was not want to learn from dreadful mistakes made in the past, and how can criticising the treatment of a minority within a nation be so consistantly demonised as anti semetic. Grow up Grow a back bone and defend Israeli governmental actions without pretending that the world is against you because of your faith.
"Is it coz I is Black?!" indeed.

Becky, Truro, UK

Despite the patent foolishness of blanket indictments like the subject botcotts, the authors do seem to be expanding the definition of anti-semitism.

"Anti-Semitism consists, first, of beliefs about Jews or the Jewish State that are both false and hostile, and secondly, of injurious things said to or about Jews or the Jewish State, or done to them, in consequence of those beliefs."

In designating injurious statements about Israel as anti-semitic, the debate on the actions of a state boils down to whether one's beliefs about the state are 'true'.
This moves the debate from differences of opinion over a state's actions to the determination of 'truth' and / or 'hostility' on the part of the critic.

When does honest disagreement with the actions of a state devolve into judgement of the 'truth' or 'hostility' present in the critic's motives? It seems that only criticisms judged 'true' by the criticized from certified friends to the state are legitimate. A high bar indeed.

GP, Niantic,

Dershowitz is concerned about Israelis being denied the "courtesies of life"? How far do these courtesies extend into the occupied territories?
According to Dershowitz, this boycott is collective punishment of Israelis. Compare and contrast to the collective punishment of millions of people in Lebanon last summer.
I don't see Dershowitz supporting the "freedom of expression" for Professors Walt and Mearsheimer at Harvard and Prof. Finklestein at DePaul. In fact he's probably the architect of their demonization.

BTW, labeling this boycott of Israel as "anti-Semetic" is kinda like calling a boycott of apartheid-era South Africa "anti-African."

tom, philadelphia, U.S.and A.

I taught in British universities for a number of years, but now live in Israel. In Britain, the intimidation of Jewish staff and students by the far left and the Islamofascists did not start in 2001, but the process accelerated around that time.

Jewish students particularly were abused and attacked often simply for being Jewish, and this trend continues.

The hard left has a problem with itself which many feel is psychological in origin and may well be due - at least partially - to the lack of respect awarded academics in Britain.

As for Israel, there is no doubt in my mind that academic standards are far more rigorous here than in many of Britain's best universities and that Britain will, unfortunately, be the loser if its unions carry on in this hysterical and self-defeating way.

Dr. Irene Lancaster FRSA, Haifa, Israel

Most of the adverse comments about the Julius/Dershowitz piece are in a different league from the authors careful case based on history and logical argument. Instead,most of their opposition respond with their long held biases, neither willing nor able to engage in such a discussion. When will we hear from the 50 or 60 thousand academics in the UK who should be asked to express their own opinions on whether to boycott similarly trained professionals? How representative a group are the boycotters?

R.E.. Gold, Los Angeles, California

Could people stop repeating the ignorant argument that anti-semitism refers to all "Semites"? Words frequently - even in most cases - have meanings that are only loosely connected to their etymologies. Anti-semitism by any dictionary definition means prejudice or discrimination against Jews.

iw, Netanya,

I am constantly amazed by Australian and American supporters of this boycott. Americans still have Indians in concentration camps, sorry reservations, and the only reason Australians get away with treating Aborigines such utter contempt is that Captain Cook wasn't Jewish

jonathan, Truro, England

Palestinians are anti-Semitic. you think?! Wonder why? Was is the land grab by the zionists and giving them the ole "indian treatment" or the cluster bombs dropped in civilian areas that bring out the anti-Semetism?

Dare not we say anything negative toward Isreal, no we dare not because the racists will immediately yell "anti-Semite!" Pathetic.

Robert, Chicago, IL

The Comments bandwagon appears to have left the track on, or shortly after, the first bend.
I suggest that the main thrust of the authors' argument was against the indiscriminate - or if you like, highly discriminate - boycotting of fellow intellectuals, on faith or political grounds: the introduction of Israel/ anti-semitism was secondary.
( I think that in modern English parlance, semitic now reads automatically as Jewish).
The argument is really all about the free sharing/receiving of knowledge, not current politics.
I went to my old "Oxford Concise" - apparently ,you only need to hold a job down in a college or university to be called an "academic", so I imagine that being able to instruct that turf is laid green-side up is entry nowadays.
From memory I recall the delegates' vote was about 150 to 95,so with a membership of about 120,000, there's still hope that the "academics" will engage their brains.

Mike Medina, St. Albans, England

Shocked by the number of anti-semites that still exist in the world - as exemplified in many of these posts. Jews are the cause of anti-semitism? Are you kidding? How ignorant can you be?

The main point is why is it OK for muslim states to persecute Kurds, African Berbers, Christians (basically any non-muslims) and drive them from their "rightful" lands but not OK for Israel? Where are all the people clamoring for this boycott when Muslim states persecute based on ethnicity? Why is this acceptable? Why only pick on Israel? THAT is why people suspect anti-semitism.

And Finally, enough of this Jews robbing Arab lands....Jews have lived there for thousands of years and were in fact expelled from the jewish quarter of Jerusalem when Jordan occupied it....why wouldn't Israel return the favor when it was recaptured during the 6 day war? The hypocrisy of the so called left is endless.....

Phil, NY, NY

A lot of people have made the point the because the palestinians and Arabs are semites, then a boycott of Israel is not anti-semitic. I agree. Lets call it what it is. Anti-Jewish. Does that make everyone feel better?

And no, I do not believe that any criticism of Israel falls into the category of anti-zionism or anti-semitism (when referring to Jews). Legitimate criticism of a democratic nation's policies are perfectly acceptable, within the limits of civilised behaviour. Boycotting academics, many of whom are the fiercest critics of the Israeli government, helps no-one, especially not the palestinians, who at the moment have got bigger problems than the Israeli army. Surely the current behaviour of the palestinians gives an eye-opener to those who say that they are a peace-loving people who would get along perfectly well if those horrid Jews went away? If not, then the world is in more trouble than it realises.

Josh, London,

criticising Israeli policies is not automatically anti-semetic, and there would probably be a greater chance of peace if Israelis and others stopped claiming that anything ever said about anything Israeli was anti-semetic.
If I say that I don't much like Jerusalem because it is too hot, is that anti-semetic? If I say that I find many Israeli governmental and social policies to be exclusionist, and unjust is that anti-semetic?
I love Israel as a place it is beautiful, I have family in Israel, however I can see that lessons need to be learnt from past Jewish suffering beyond how to put others down. Yes defend yourself, but be fair, and stop trying to trivualise all criticism by making it automatically more about race than it is about the actual issues at hand.
The world cannot go on forever apologising for it's lack of support in the past by supporting the state of Israel even when it is wrong.

Celia, Truro, UK

The overall tenor of remarks found here are in its essence anti-Jewish, and made with such conviction and apparent knowledge of relevant facts. Bravo, well done.

I challenge each commenter, in addition to their remarks, to state whether they have been in Israel, and on how many continents they have visited. In fact, Israelis are among the most travelled of people.

Sitting at a keyboard and spouting is easy; truly understanding the world is another issue.

Over four billion people on this planet. About 14 million Jews. Jews are not evil or monolithic, nor are they anti-Christian, anti-Muslim, anti-Hindu, et al. They are life loving, energetic, educated, progressive, and make good neighbors.

If you have travelled extensively, you see Jews prosper wherever they live....and so do the cities they live in.....by getting along and giving back to society. No gratitude needed.

If you have done any serious research on the matter, you are well aware of the modern day accomplishments of the Jewish people around the globe in many areas of human endeavor well out of proportion to their numbers. Why? Good question, but this is their natural state. Accomplishments that benefit all of us. No gratitude needed.

Israelis know what is best for them and how to survive in Israel, just as Jews know how to prosper and get along with all societies around the globe.

When their Arab neighbors give the signal it is time for peace, Israelis will take the cue, and peace will follow. The potential for a middle east technological economy awaits for all, but only Israel will be the real beneficiary of it until then. So stop your self-congratulatory Jew bashing and try to make this a better world for all of us. Life is too short. No gratitude needed. From an American Jew.

Rob, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Never thought I'd encourage a foreign nation to take action (peaceful, mind you!) against my native Britain.....but go on Israel...give it all you've got.

James, Monteria, Colombia

Everyone knows that Anti semitism historically and universally means 'Jew Hatred'.

It is a fact I have noticed (as a journalist) the only people who quibble the meaning of the words are Jew Haters. Much in the same way that the only people who deny the Holocaust actually pretty much supported it.

Tedious propaganda which may work with simpletons but not History and culturally literate Times Readers.

Similarly 'black' is not a worthless term simply because afro carribean folk are actually brown.

Anti-semitism is endemic in our culture and history only good people rise above it.

R Gorlov, London, UK

It never ceases to amaze me how the very people (writers, broadcasters, journalists and the voting public) so alert to anti-semitism are the most virulent Islamophobes!!.....and more often than not - it is right wing Yanks and the "wonderful" , "peaceful" Israeli public.

Adriano Albertazzi, London/Milan,

To everyone who believes that palestine was a soveriegn country before isreal existed:
Can you name me the king, or president, or maximum dictator that reigned over the Nation of Palestine, with it's Arab population ?
Let me send out for you the Chronology of the ownership of the land in question:

- Aites, Jebusites, Caananites, Philistines (they weren't Arab), etc.
- Israeli's
- Assyrians
- Babylonians
- Macedonians (Alexander the Great)
- Romans
- Umar (the Muslim Caliph)
- Ottomans
- British (remember the Ottoman's LOST in WWI)
- Israel

Hmmmmm, can't seem to see Palestinians in there.

rs, West Bromwich, West Midlands

Religion is inherently divisive and creates conflict and disharmony in the new multicultural and informationally efficient world

Richard Sarsfield, London,

Jeff - it is true that semites does not just mean jews but anti semitism is associated purely with the hatred of Jews. Your argument here is irrelevant and you are just being finickety. Islamaphobia = hatred of muslims, anti-semitism = hatred of jews however you define a semite

In regards to the rest of the article, the authors are 100% correct this boycott is veiled anti-semitism. The proposers and supporters do not worry about Sudan, Rouwanda, Iran, North Korea the list goes on and on, but a country smaller than wales which has checkpoints to protect its citizens somehow ingnites their conscience. It is very strange.

Anthony Stern, London, UK

Should the boycott be adopted, I think the time will have come for American Universities to consider a ban on all these sanctimonious academics of the British University and College Union. Why? On what basis? Not because they are British — unlike their boycott against Israeli academics — but quite simply that their boycott is discrimination based on national origin, plain and simple, a tenet that no American (or other) academic can (or should) tolerate. Boycott the discriminating UCU.

Manny, Dayton, USA

Dershowitz's hypocrisy is astounding... on the one hand he claims to be a champion of free speech and liberal values. On the other he calls for the legalisation of torture for terror suspects. Jewish rights counting for more than Islamic?

A Douglas, London, UK

A point briefly touched touched on by a few contributors, but largely ignored is that 'semetic' does not been Jewish. The semetic races of the Middle East include all the Arab peoples, whether Jewish, Christian, Muslim or even atheist. The Israelis would be more accurately described as Jewish Arabs.

JPM, Prestwich, England

It's shameful to institute such a boycott. As other readers stated, why not boycott North Korea, Russia, Sudan, how about Venezuela? Or Cuba. Let's remember who's fighting whom in Gaza at the moment? Who's killing whom? Palestinians are killing their own so why should Israeli's be blamed on their hardships? As a matter of fact, why don't Arab countries open their doors to their brethren as citizens and not just give them refugee camps as in Lebanon. Shame on those boycotting. I'm Jewish. I don't always agree with Israel. I don't always agree with my brethren and I don't think everyone is out to get me but let's never forget the number Six Million and let's try to live in peace and respect. Once we all do this then there will be peace between Israel and the Palestenians.

Aleyda, San Diego, CA, USA

You want to see anti semitism go to the School of Oriental and African studies in London. read some of the propaganda that you are given there.

Dave, London,

Jeff Larsen, Chch, NZ... Don’t be so pedantic, the meaning of the term "anti Semitic" moved across to referring exclusively to Jews in the 20th century.
Its not going to move back to its original meaning to keep people in their ivory towers (or eco-sensitive kiwi towers) happy

Daniel K888, Melbourne, Australia

Everyone whines about the destruction of Israel nobody says a word about the destruction of the Palestinians. Just last week the head rabbi of Israel recommended to the Israeli government that the West Bank and Gaza be carpet bombed. He used the Torah to justify this enterprise.

mannstein, Cambridge, USA

Those who call for boycotts, whether economic or academic, seem rarely to consider the real impact of such action. For example, many such as Claire Short who cry about the result of US and British action in invading Iraq and removing Saddam where also those who supported sanctions against that country (If Short was in favour of lifting the sanctions because Iraq did not have or was not seeking to develop WMDs then I certainly didn't hear her say so). The consequences of those sanctions for the poor of Iraq with starvation and death of innocent children were just as dire and immoral as the consequences of the military action. It seems they consider starving people to death is better than killing them with bombs. They are also usually very selective in their moral stand. I didn't hear many of these people calling for academic boycotts of the former Soviet Union or of China in relation to their suppression of other nations and peoples. It is rank hypocrisy.

Ray, Milton Keynes, UK

Even if it is anti-semetic, I don't care.

Anti-semetic is a nonsense word, especially when used by them who are not semetic themselves.

Phineas, Tauranga, New Zealand

I wonder what it would be like if the Palestinians had the same army as the Israelis...might be a quicker peace then, no? War planes, tanks etc....

Sheila Fox, Baltimore,

Somebody called Weeden Broom writes, "To call Israel a racist state built on genocidal activities against non-Jews is not an antisemitic statement - it is the truth."

No, Weeden Broom. It is not the truth. It is one huge, monumental lie in which your impoverished understanding and wishful thinking happily cocoon themselves. Not only you, but so horrifyingly many
writing in this thread.
Turn on your TV this very moment and witness the medieval mobsters and raging hatred with which the Jews have had to contend these last hundred years. Not only from the Palestinians, but from all the surrounding Arab countries and beyond. It's a miracle Israel was ever born or survived.

Hanna Nyman, London, England

Just some factual points that everyone today has missed. Israel did not expel Palestinians from their land, most left of their own accord prior to the 1948 war of independence and the others are still there. After every war of anihilation that the Arabs forced on Israel, Israel offered land in exchange for peace but there were no takers until Sadat in 1973 for which he was murdered. Israel withdrew from Lebanon and Hezbollah took over; from the West Bank and the intifada was launched by Arafat and the wall was built - and killed no-one. Same with Gaza in 2005 and look what happened there. Also, all the Jews of Arab lands were expelled to Israel with no recompense so now most Israelis are descended from Jews from Arab lands and not Europe. So no more claims that Israel caused the Palestinian problem. That was the Arabs.

R Mason, London, UK

Let's have more sanctions and boycotts. Let's boycott the USA for human rights violations in Afgahnistan and Iraq, and let's boycott China for their occupation of Tibet. Let's boycott Palestine for it's state-sanctioned terrorism and Israel for it's response. And Russia for Chechnya, Indonesia for Timor, Australia for its indigenous. When we have finished boycotting every offending state, obviously world peace will reign and a new age of international co-operation will arrive.

Obviously this is a divisive and polarising issue, but to pin the blame for the entire conflict and its methods on Israel (as some of the comments indicate) seems naive at best, if not outright racist. Israel cannot be expected to make every concession while her citizens are under attack.

How anyone can condemn the decision by the EU & US to suspend aid to Hamas - the terrorist organisation who governs the PA - is beyond me. The people of Palestine need aid, but aiding Hamas will help no-one long term.

Chad, Melbourne, Australia

I think that the boycott is a democratic tool to create political pressure on the government to change its policy (in this case - the occupation). It is a legitimate tool, prety much like the religious who threaten not to fly El Al, if El Al operates on the Sabbath, for example. Governments and organizations put political pressure on each other all of the time. This boycott will, most probably only create more discussions on the Israeli policy.

As an Israeli citizen, for me, supporting this kind of pressure from "outside" is legitimate. Israel is influenced all the time by pressures from the US government. Maybe if there was a strong, bigger peace camp in Israel, we would not feel the need to support boycott campagins.

Alissa, Tel Aviv,

What a massive amount of bilge crammed into one article . I guess it's difficult to stop playing the victim when you have been doing it so long . I would suggest that articles such as this do little for your cause , whatever that may be .

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

Wait till Iran get the bomb. Then we will see an even playing field in the Middle East, which is something that has been lacking for years given America's unstinting support for Israel. I wouldn't live in Tel Aviv for quids.

Peter, Melbourne, Australia

So you dont support the boycott. Just use your arguement again it. There is no need to unneccessarily call it racist. You either have a good arguement again the boycott or not and no need to spoil it by claiming anti semitism. silly.

Democracies are held to higher account because more is expected of them.

What would the world come to if everyone were so scared of being called discriminatory just for critising something.

Matthew, Enfield, England

Since when have Semites been restricted to the Jewish faith?. The majority are actually Arab.

This is an anti-Zionist boycott not anti-Semitic.

Judaism is a religion unrestricted by area and completely different again.

Its about time these people actually got the definition of anti-Semitic correct. Palestinian Arab Semites are not anti - themselves!

Jeff Larsen, Chch, NZ

Reuben, please refer to TMJ Black's comment that the majority of the population of the Middle East are semetic - it is racial catergory not a religious one. So being sympathetic to the Palestinians is being pro-semetic. The Israelis and the Palestinians are in fact semetic first cousins.

Pat Murdlem, Manchester, England

The authors say, of Jewish boycotters: "Their Jewish conscience requires them, they believe, to side with Israel’s enemies. Second, they give cover to non-Jewish boycotters accused of anti-Semitism. An anti-Semitic position, they believe, ceases to be anti-Semitic when adopted by a Jew."

"They" don't believe any such things and view the world through a wholly different framework. I think they believe, with much justice, they are being PHILOsemitic, rescuing (my word) the good name of Jews and Judaism from follies done in our name.

The biggest weakness in articles like this is minimising or denying the wrongs done by Israel, and by wrongs I mean those actions of the Israeli government and the IDF that are not necessary for the security of the state and the safety of its people - checkpoint humiliations, settlement encroachment &c. If I hadn't already thought the academic boycott wrong, this article would not have persuaded me, and it might just have swayed me the other way.

Dr Brian Robinson, Milton Keynes UK, UK

Same old, tired "any criticism of Israel is anti-Semitic" argument put forth by Dershowitz and the rest of the AIPAC cheerleading squad. It has become boring in its predictability. You can definitely be anti-Zionist and not be anti-Semitic, but then again, you already know that. The world is “smartening up” to one of the most hypocritical regimes on earth.

Joe, Ontario, Canada

I totally support the boycott and hope and pray it works. Israel is a racist state and is shameful on the history of the Jewish peoples and identity.

And Alan Dershowitz is a buffoon who has been shown to be a buffoon by Chmosky and Finkelstein.

I have no shame in saying i despise Israel. Most of my jewish friends despise the actions of the state of Israel. It does not make me anti-semetic. As DC from Dublin says: "Hostility to Israel is not anti-semitism, just as hostility to the US is not anti-christian, and as hostility to Iran is not anti-islamic". FACT.

Message to all: Keep an eye on the goods with bar code 729. And never buy it.

Tom Anderson, London, UK

It is fascinating to read opinions so diverse on the Israeli, Palestinian conflict in general and specifically on the UCU Resolutions. Unfortunately, the boycott will not resolve the conflict. It will, however, further enable the PA to continue its long standing policy of refusing to sign on to any two state solution, to systematically divert international economic aid into their own pockets, to teach an entire generation of Palestinian children to hate all Jews, and to manipulate the international media into grossly misrepresenting the truth. Chairman Arafat was an absolute genius in creating and facillitating this scam. Hamas is in the process of wrecking everything he worked so hard to create. Of course, they have their own benefactors in Iran (ie. Hezbollah).

Scott, Florida, USA

They want to obliterate me

Live with it

The've done it before

Its your own fault

What was I doing wrong?

You were breathing.

Derek Boston, salisbury, uk

A boycott is "an act of violence" ?! What rubbish. Although I don't particularly care one way or the other about this particular issue, to claim that a boycott is somehow "violent" strains credulity just a little too far.

There is nothing "violent" about any kind of boycott, simply by definition. Period.

Thomas, Atlanta, GA, USA

Israeli critics fail to take into account the Israeli psyche.

Israelis feel threatened. Most of its neighbours want to destroy it. The government of Palestine wants to push it into the sea. Iran wants it wiped of the face of the world. Most other Arab countries actively support terrorism against Israel too.

If Israel didn't have a well-equipped and strong army and didn't feel compelled to regularly demonstrate its might, would its Arab neighbours let Israel live in peace?

Extremely defensive, all criticism of Israel is taken personally by Israelis, most of whom are Jews. Thus, anti-zionism is a form of anti-semitism, even if unintended.

Simon, manchester, England

Israel practices apartheid. That is a fact. There are Jewish roads, and non-jewish roads to travel around on (guess which are quicker and better). That is a fact. Arabs are being ghettoized in the Occupied territories. That is a fact. There are huge concrete barriers going up which put the Palestinians into virtual prisons. That is a fact. Israel practices collective punishment, which is against the Geneva Conventions. That is a fact.

These facts do not constitute anti-sematism. I hold the government of Israel in contempt for these facts, and its official policy of assassination, which i cannot condone, whoever they are. Just as South Africa needed boycotting, so does Israel.

Crying antisemite is a cop-out, and entirely misleading.

AIdan, CA, United States

Such hypocrisy! How is it acceptable for Saudi Arabia to disallow christian worship, or forbid non-muslims from entering Mecca (checkout the 'Muslims only' road sign en route to Mecca). Why is this never mentioned?

Carol, Leeds, West Yorkshire

Dershowitz just lobbied to deny Prof. Norman Finkelstein tenure, all on account of his views. Why was he even invited to lecture your readers on freedom of speech?

Alan, Fairfax, USA

Usual suspects I see. I was under the fond impression that Israel has been known for human rights abuses, but not out of racism, more out of the wish of any authoritarian inclined government to establish and maintain control when they are surrounded by hostiles. The more extreme factions of the Palestinians also violate people's human rights because they hate Israel, believing they stole their country. Depends how far back you want to go really, it could be argued that the Palestinians stole it from the israelis in the first place. No matter. What is clear is that the wide streak of antisemitism running through left wing politics is alive and well and living in oxfordshire, masquerading as concern for the oppressed.

cispedin, Edinburgh,

For forty years I have been listening to and reading the same old propaganda from the vested interests within the Israeli state, the US State Department, many of the US Jewish population and a very few of our own Jewish population, which dictates an instantaneous view that any and all criticism of the Israeli state is by definition anti-Semitic. What fools these people are. Yet, how successful they have been in silencing righteous and justified criticism of a state that has become as suppressive of its people as the many they denounce. I think hypocrisy is the word that fits best.

clive, surrey,

The problem is with this retrospective attitude is that the Isralis are now the oppressors, and the Palistinians are the oppressed. Therefore, should we have boycotted Germany, Yes, as we should modern day Israel.

Phil, richmond, USA

Anthony Julius and Alan Dershowitz are wrong to call the UCU boycott of Israel anti-semitic. This is an obfuscatory argument. That the boycott is against Israel rather than Iran or Saudi Arabia is besides the point, and this argument can only obscure the reasons for the boycott.

In Israel and the Occupied Territories Palestinian academic institutions are not accorded the same freedoms as Israeli universities, and Arabs living in Israel are discriminated against in university admissions. These are issues that the Israeli academic community are complicit in and need to address.

Moreover, this is not a boycott of Jewish people or Israeli academics, but a boycott of Israeli institutions.

H Longton, Boston, UK

What Dershowitz says has some validity. However, what he says about Israel v. its critics and enemies was also true about South Vietnam and its critics and enemies. South Vietnam was a flawed country run by flawed people, but it was crushed by a far worse country (North Vietnam and allies) and far worse people (the VC and the NV communists). In 1975 the moderately flawed and weak people and country were overwhelmed by much more hideously flawed people. In the end Dershowitz & Co. may be both largely right and completely irrelevant.

James, Jacksonville,

Boycott is how the world does business. Are sanctions not a boycott by governments.

Look inwards first.

Kalid, Birmingham,

Dr Brian Robinson, Milton Keynes UK, UK

Any observation concerning Jews that can be construed as possessing negative connotations renders the observer liable to a charge of anti-semitism.So if one stated that at least 6 of the top paid hedge fund traders in the world were Ethiopeans,it would be a legitimate if unusual,revelation. The fact is they are Jewish and paid themselves a yearly income of up to 1.7 Billion dollars.(Alpha magazine.) The media will indulge in a frenzy regarding an insignificant heiress like Paris Hilton, but hardly mention were the real money is going.They will report the unfreezing of $25 million to North Korea, a country,yet to these few individuals, this is pocket money. Entire pension funds are not in this league,yet represent millions of individuals life contributions.These individuals are more powerful than entire governments and they know it. Is it not legitimate to question how globalisation has allowed this to occur? See Edward Lampert,Carl Icahn,George Soros,Bruce Kovner,Steve Cohen etc

Keith R. Pirelli, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

You have got it wrong - it is not anti-semitic but anti-Israeli which is what the boycott is all about. You may recall that most of the Arab Middle East boycotted all Israeli goods plus goods manufactured by foreign firms who operated in Israel -- again, this was not anti-semitic but anti-Israeli.

Time for Israel to take stock - remove its settlements from pre-1967 land and sit down and talk to the Enemy (Hamas) - they are after all the democratically elected government in Palestine.
At the current rate of annexation of Gaza by Hamas it is likely that they will soon take over the rest of what is left of the so-called Palestine -- unless the UN and the rest of the world takes a stand against them.

Israel has to make an effort to improve its image worldwide -- after all it was formed because of the atrocities the Jews suffered in World war II -- unfortunately no thought was given to the location and brought misery to the Palestinian people who have no homeland now.

Chips Westwood, Sarlat La Caneda, France

Funny how I've turned around on this issue in recent years. I used to be among the first to denounce the slightest hint of anti semitism. Nowadays I distrust anyone who cries "Antisemitism!" It's a little like the boy who cried "Wolf!" The Israeli and American right wingers have fooled us too many times using this old trick to twist reality and smother free comment. I don't buy it any more. I wonder if I'm alone in this change of view, or if other people have undergone the same process.

Mike Booth, Granada, Spain

To criticise or boycott Israel is not anti semitic in itself. If the jews create a state it should be treated (and be open to criticism) like any other - and so its insitituions. But boycotts should be morally consistent. If Hamas is genocidal but for the fact it is short of weapons then it is immoral to support it or the people that put such a party into power.

C Ferris, London,

Israel lies on the land the Jewish people originally lived in, since Biblical times. Plus, how do you think the British Empire came about? By asking nicely? And the only reason so many Jews flocked to Israel is that nobody else wanted them. Only one ruler in history has ever said to the Jews, "of course you can come and live here" - Kazimierz the Great of Poland. That was before they were ethnically cleansed by the Nazis and to a lesser degree Catholics. Stop being so hypocritical!!!

Ben, York,

"Never mind folks, Israeli academics and universities are light years ahead of the failing Oxbridge cadre"

Where do I start? Firstly, every set of worldwide university rankings I have seen places even the best Israeli universities about 50-100 places behind rather mediocre British ones; Oxford and Cambridge are still in the top 5. The Times, for example, ranks Cambridge number 2 in the world, Oxford no. 3 and Imperial College no 9. The top Israeli university is ranked 119th.

Secondly, this boycott is far-left, fringe, union claptrap. All of the UK's top universities have unequivocally rejected it.

The reaction to this reminds me of the time one school stopped teaching the Holocaust in history, and the world's media said the UK had "banned teaching of the Holocaust". It had not, and in most parts it is compulsory. Or the time there was a furore when an British academic refused to teach an Israeli student. Conveniently, the media forgot to mention that he was promptly suspended.

lb, southport,

What about freedom for the residents of Egypt? or Saudi Arabia? Don't they deserve freedom of speech and freedom of religion!

Joseph, NYC, USA

The comments here seem to prove to the article's point.

Let the universities ban Israelis academics. Who will be the one harmed? British universities.

Jonathan Lowenstein, welcome to the U.S. Get your Ph.D. while helping to (continue to) make our universities the best in world. Win-win for both of us.

M. Fernandez, San Francisco,

"Phd applicaitons and journal articles I have submitted are simply ignored. I don't even recieve acknowledgement."

Trust me, that's just the British attitude, it's got nothing to do with anti-semitism! (although I do have a jewish friend who has changed his name because he says his name meant he was losing out on jobs)

starling, Lancaster,

Whilst I believe that the phrase anti-Semitic has been bandied about so often as to mutate it's meaning and destroy its efficacy, I do believe there is a very strong feeling of, if not anti-Jewish, then certainly anti-Israeli sentiment in many universities throughout the UK. Part of this problem is to do with an inherent "poor little victim" mentality in any conflict, whereby the perceived minority/economically impoverished/ most strongly non-European party in any conflict is automatically seized upon as the victim of an aggressor. Coupled with Israel's right-wing politics and support from the good ol' US and you have a recipe that is guaranteed to get academics (and students) collective backs right up!!! Israel and supporters of Israel are wrong to play the anti-Jewish card at any unwanted criticism but I can understand why this troubled country feels so isolated. Thanks to the UCU this isolation is set to increase. Great news all round then?!?!

Dan Baseley, Hertford,

To enlarge the concept of Anti-Semitism so as to comprehend an antipathy towards "the Jewish State" is likely to achieve the opposite of what is intended. Most decent people rightly regard Anti-Semitism with a unique sense of distaste. "The Jewish State" is presumably inextricable from the Israeli Administration. A strong argument could be advanced that the Israeli Administration is no worse and, in many respects, a great deal better than many other Administrations throughout the World. However, if an antipathy to the Israeli Administration were to be regarded as Anti-Semitism, the whole concept of Anti-Semitism would be watered down to an extent that the authors of this article would live to regret.

Mark, Manchester, England

Julius and Dershowitz just don't get it. It's not anti-semitism. This is a figment of the imagination of Jews such as these two. It's about justice, and people want justice for Palestinians.

How about Israel start abiding by UN resolutions. They were breaking them long before the Palestinians. Of course, two wrongs (or more) don't make a right.

And the boycott is probably partly frustration at the horrendous treatment of Palestine by Israel.

All sides in the Middle East have committed wrongs. But I liken Israel to the big bully brother. The big bully brother may not be totally in the wrong, or even mostly, but they're the ones who should show the initiative to end the dispute.

By the way, boycotts do work, although they are problematic and they're not perfect. Julius and Dershowitz should note South Africa.

David Goldstein, Coogee, Sydney, Australia

This boycott is a disgrace. It seems that certain British Liberals would rather ostracise free academic institutions in Israel than condemn the brutal, racist, homophobic and bigoted organization that is Hamas. The alliance of Western Left Liberals with Islamic fundamentalists who oppose every tenet of modern democracy has to be one of the most absurd spectacles of modern times. An interesting parallel must be drawn with the British attitude toward South Africa which involved boycotting an Apartheid economy that was over fifty percent British owned. This boycott is equally hypocritical. I mean, why shouldn't enlightened countries now marginalize British and American academic institutions - after all, their governments are responsible for the needless slaughter of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians. Israel is a much lesser cause of suffering in the Middle East than either the Islamic extremists or the interfering Anglo-American imperialists.

JL, Paris, France

The repression of academic freedom is certainly wrong, but to equate outrage at the actions of the Israeli state with anti-semitism is to use the polemic of racism to shame people into keeping quiet.

Israel, as a state, has occupied foreign lands, evicted 1m palestinians from their homes, ruled the Palestinians in a garrison state, crippled the palestinian economy and forced its workers to depend on Israeli employment, and engaged in many unlawful activities according to international law (targeted killings, destruction of homes, illegal use of force, and so on). Whether a jewish, christian or islamic state committed these crimes makes no difference. Should we condone them because they are carried out by a people that have experienced a horrendous past?

Hostility to Israel is not anti-semitism, just as hostility to the US is not anti-christian, and as hostility to Iran is not anti-islamic. But playing the religion card is a useful device to deflect criticism, as Iran have shown.

DC, Dublin,

"Freedom of expression is one of the principal means by which we realise ourselves. It is by speaking or writing that we discover who we are. "

As the author say, the Freedom of Expression is tantamount. The UK institutions exercising that freedom and are expressing their opinions.

Rasmuncher, Melbourne , Australia

Well said Illya, St Petersburg.....Michael Bruce, Selby. Spot on.

Hero, Preston,

Many people posting here seem to be interpreting the article as saying that any criticism of Israel is anti-semitic. This is not the case. To paint Israel as purely in the wrong and the Palestinians as purely in the right and to call to boycott Israel for reasons that you ignore in other states can be seen as anti-semitic. This is what the article is saying. If you cannot see that is the intention of the article, I suggest that you try to read it again with an open mind.

Reuben, London, uk

Disgusting! What about freedom for the Palestinians? Israel is a racist, aparthied nation and the world's only terrorist state. Not boycotting Israel would be akin to supporting aparthied in South Africa. This boycott does not go far enough, a complete economic boycott is essential and the EU should see to it we don't trade with this criminal nation until they can behave like humans.

Bev White, Luton,

Such breathtaking hypocracy!
Boycotting Israeli academics is no solution, but neither is it anti- semetic, as of the majority of the population of the Middle East are Semetic..
Derchowitz is one of those who connived to ensure that Norman Finkelstein was denied an academic position at one of America's leading Catholic Universities. That is a real boycott....For those who want an authorative view of Isael today should read Finkelsteins book - Beyond Chutzpah,

TMJ Black, Southampton, U.K.

High minded rationale without perspective from both sides.

Not what I'd expect from academics on either side of the fence.

Mark, Woking, UK

Well, well, well, what a suprise that the bocott is seen as anti semitic rather than anti Israeli. As a black man born in this country in the 60s, the clamour to call the boycott anti semitic smacks of the 'is it because I is black' attitude. I don't agree with what the Israeli's are doing as regards Palestinians and particularly the walled Bantustans they have now created, and I'm not sure how much effect this bocott will really have - but does that make me anti semitic? I don't buy Israeli products just as I didn't buy South African products some years back, and now Isreali's are going to boycott British goods in response. So are all British people, British Companies anti semitic?
It seems to me that Israeli's are always quick off the mark to point the finger and say someone is anti semitic if they are critised. Julius & Dershowitz are making it about being anti semite, not me - so why not ask yourselves 'is it because I is Jew'? Actually no, its because you are Israeli.

lloyd, coventry,

Totally agree. This boycott is a logical consequence of multiculturalism and appeasement of UK own Muslim communities. Also it follows left-leaning tradition of UK intelligentsia. Imagine this boycott in the USA is almost impossible. I think UK people must develop objective perception of Middle East politics and turn to their domestic problems. Look at Banaz Mahmod's murder and understand how barbaric are Muslims many of you support. Look at Palestine Civil war and murders in hospitals and think about terrible and monstrous militants many of you support. And have a look at Israeli scientific achievements and think about Israeli academic institutions many of you boycott.

Ilya, St. Petersburg, Russia

I do believe that Israel is a racist state that has treated the Palestinians in a trully appalling fashion over the past forty years - most shocking is how most commentors seem to depict the Israeli colonial occupiers as the victims in this conflict.

Having said which an academic boycott is wrong - as mentioned it goes against the principles of academia - it should be our government which boycotts the Israeli state as well as economic sanctions, which would be a meaningful and just action.

Dan, Winchester, Hants

Noodles NY, it would appear that you have not been reading the rest of today's Times. Otherwise you woudl have noticed that any mass killing of Palestinians, with or without aid workers, has been committed by their very own hands. Did you also not notice that Red cross aid workers were killed in (gasp!) Lebanon (!) by (double gasp!) Palestinians (more gasps).

You also seem to think that Diaspora Jews support Israel and her policies more than Israeli Jews themselves. You could not be more wrong. Come to Israel for a visit and see for yourself. Or are you scared to have your biases challenged?

Ben in London also seems to think that Palestinian land has been destroyed. Seems that Hamas has done a very good job of that all by itself. And the West Bank is 90% ruled by the Palestinian Authority. Please get your facts right before issuing blanket condemnations.

But then, that is what this article was all about. You have both proved their point very nicely.

Anne K, Petach Tikva, Israel

Julius and Dershowitz reinforce and adhere to the conflation of criticism of the policies of the State of Israel with Anti-semitism. It is no such thing. But it is in the interests of the State of Israel to extend that myth.
The academic boycott is a crude response. There is no benefit silencing dialogue with people who live and work within a State with whose policies you disagree. If your field is one where your skills might enhance the power of that State to exercise unconscionable policies it is a matter of conscience which governs choice.
One might note that those who speak out publicly in criticism of that State and its near-recidivist approach to those who speak or act in opposition to its reach will be classed as the enemies of Israel - and as anti-semitic. An academic should be free to receive and offer criticism. Without fear of retribution through boycott or from crude accusations of anti-semitism.
It is the State, not the Faith, which is the object of scorn.

David Rose, Colne, UK

High-minded rationale without perspective, on both sides of the argument.

Not what I expect from academics on either side of the fence.

Mark, Woking, UK

Don't blame the mirror when it is your face that is cracked.

Bob, MK, UK

Ohh I see it's all very clear now, I finally get it ,if I in any way criticise or say anything agaisnt the state of Israel I'm a racist, an anti-Semite.Let's get this straight from the start, I am no racist, I have friends who are asian, american and follow all religions.My criticism towards the state of Israel is due to several facts;
1) It (60 odd years ago) illegally occupied palestine, and is doing so to this very day, as well as also now illegally occupying parts of lebanon.
2)It is supposedly a modern, (nuclear may i add) democratic state,(which russia,china,sudan,indonesia are
not bdw) though it does not act like one (i.e. attacks civilian targets with chemical weapons, allowing it's allies to massacre refugee campS!!...)
3)Mis govern/treat the people whos lands they have stolen.... the list is endless.
Maybe Israel, being a predominantly jewish state, should have learnt from history, or to be more specific the holocaust, and not do unto others what was done unto them.

Andrea Sammut, Malta,

No-one can criticize Israel (the government not the people) without being tarred with the anti-Semite brush. Just as an aside, not all Israelis are of Semitic origin. They are descendants of European converts (Ashkenazi). However, ALL Middle Eastern Arabs, Christians and Muslims are Semitic people. The last time I checked, boycotts are peaceful and have never killed anyone. Anyway, what's good for the goose is also good for the gander. What about the Jewish boycott of German goods in 1933 and the declaration of war on Germany by "Judea" (Daily Express 24th March 1933). Can you spell H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-S-Y?

Rod Polisher, Scunthorpe, UK

I wonder when all these European Jews will get it into their brain and realise that Isreal doesn't mean Jew. Israel is a secular state formed after WWII, being secular means that even if G*d gave Jews (according to Jews) land some millenia ago they themselves have denied G*d by being a secular and not a theocratic entity. They don't even keep the Sabbath.I think we could boldly say that the land was given to some Jews by the League of Nations.
If Israel is synonymous with Jew then is Jew synonymous with Israel? To whom was this land given, the Jews religious or tribal. It makes a difference!
Not everything is anti-Semetic. Israel's hatred of Arabs is anti-Semetic. Arab stock stems from Abraham after all!

Tariq, ashford,

Academics have throughout history been at the forefront of Anti-Semitism. It is therefore hardly surprising that they have decided to express once more their vile Anti-Semite believes.
To the UCU and their likes I would like to say only this: we have survived worse than your pathetic but nonetheless wicked boycott. However, as you know and possibly regret, we have not only survived but prospered and made huge contributions to all mankind, scientific and otherwise, relative to our size, regarless of your relenless efforts to stop us.
You and your ilk ought to follow your boycott to the letter: please boycott every single Israeli and Jewish patent, invention or medicine and not only the people who were responsible for them.

A. Nakar, London, UK

If Israel runs an aparteid state (it does) it is surprising there are not more boycotts, not that they do any good. We are so bored of the jewish lobby crying foul the moment anyone says boo to Israel. Israel is a secular state and its supporters should take criticism without always resorting to the anti-semitism emotional blackmail mantra.

Mike , Granada, Spain

Julius and Dershowitz reinforce and adhere to the conflation of criticism of the State of Israel with Anti-semitism. It is no such thing. But it is in the interests of the State of Israel to extend that myth and put pressure on its critics, including the countless Jewish people who oppose its policies.
The academic boycott is a crude response. There is no benefit silencing dialogue with people who live and work within a State with whose policies you disagree.
Yet one notes that to speak out publicly in criticism of Israel and its near-recidivist approach to those who speak or act in opposition to its reach is to be classed as the enemies of Israel - and as anti-semitic. An academic should be free to receive and offer criticism. Without fear of retribution through boycott or from crude accusations of anti-semitism.
It is the State, not the Faith, which is the object of scorn. It is a cynical misrepresentation to equate the one with the other. Julius and Dershowitz know that.

David Rose, Colne,

I think the poison inherant in some of these posts pretty much proves the point of this article, i.e.:

"blame every one else but do not look at self which must be the the main root cause for anti-semitism" In other words, its the Jew's fault everyone hates them.

"Stop being pathetic. The Israelis have tortured the Palestinians for years." Complete ignorance. The majority of Palestinians would have settled for peace long ago, unfortunately they are ruled by terrorists funded by countries with far worse records on human rights than Israel. They want no peace, just complete capitulation.

"how it flies in the face of the inherent racism of Judaism." So there you go, Judaism is apparently a racist religion while nice cuddly Christianity and Islam are not.

Dan, Hampton, UK

I am sick of hearing the sanctimonious outpourings on academic freedoms by those, many of whom, hypocritically rationalise the ongoing boycott of revisionist scholars of the holocaust.

John Mortl, London, UK

Why do I , an Israeli Jew , think too many Brits ( and not just those named Mohammad.... ) are third-rate low-class brutes , drunken pub crawlers , violent football hooligans , infantile pseudo intellectuals , and sex-starved voyeurs ?

Is it because a trashy crap like The Sun is the largest circulation newspaper reflecting that woeful society ? Or is it because the BBC and its dastardly hatred of anything decent has taken hold of that declining society ? Or is it because those Brits just want to forget the awful crimes committed during their country's imperialist campaigns ?

In short , who cares what those Brits think.... and that applies to some of the other comments posted here.......

Surely , there are many Brits who are honest , hard-working , fine and deserving of appreciation and respect . Let them raise their voices .

Avner Ilanai, Jerusalem, Israel

As a Gentile, I sympathise and agree with this article. The antisemites are having a field day just now.

It is particularly revolting to read the bullies' usual excuse: that the victims "brought it on themselves", in this case just by being Jews.

Do not forget: in the Middle East the Arabs and Muslims are the ones with the power. They have the oil money. If they used just a fraction of their wealth to help and resettle the Palestinian refugees - refugees they deliberately left to rot in 1967 - the problem would be solved.

Again, if the Palestinians would stop rocketing and suicide bombing, I am confident that the Jews of Israel would heave a sigh of relief, and as soon as they could be sure that the change of heart was permanent, not a mere tactic, their attitude would change. Fighting would of course stop at once. The wall could in time come down.

Why not? Because of course the Jews, accursed of God, have brought it all on themselves.

Michael Bruce, Selby, Yorkshire

Anti-Semitic discrmination is already a fact of life in British universities. Phd applicaitons and journal articles I have submitted are simply ignored. I don't even recieve acknowledgement. Although I would prefer to study in Britain (my place of birth) it is clear I am better off concentrating on the USA where I can be sure of decent and fair treatment.

Jonathan Lowenstein, Tel-Aviv, Israel

To Ben in London. Over 2 thirds of the palestinian land is still in arab hands, Trans-Jordan Palestine (now Jordan). Stop believing everything you read and find out some real facts.

ps Heres a quesion, before Isreal increased its boarders in the 6day war why did:-
a)Egypt not create a palestinian state in gaza?
b)Jordan non create a palestinan state in the west bank?

sam, birmingham, west midlands

What is anti-semitism, asks the writer? It appears to be any form of dissent against Israel, a nation founded on the displacement and genocide of the Palestinians who were already living there. How can such a nation complain about the actions of others given the atrocities commited by themselves? Is there one rule for Israel and another for non-Jews? As said, anti-semitism can be defined as the propogation of false beliefs about Israel or Jews. To call Israel a racist state built on genocidal activities against non-Jews is not an anti-semitic statement - it is the truth. The real question is 'why do so many eminent and respected Jewish academics fail to accept what is blindingly obvious to the rest of us?'

Weeden Broon, Arrow Park, Limbo

Simple facts:

population of locals in Tansmania in 1800 when it was occupied by 5ngland - 50,000.

population 50 years later - 0!

population of Gaza when it was occupied by Israel - 250,000

population 40 years later - 1.5 million!

So who are you to preach about the cruelties of occupation? Why are people in "liberated" gaza desparate to move to "occupied" west bank? Why are arabs in Israel proper enjoying a higher standard of living then in almost everywhere else in the arab world? Why?

erez, jerusalem,

The fact that Israel is very explicitly a racist state is irrelevant. What's relevant is that they have stolen land from its rightful owners. If a thief has a particular religious affiliation then being anti-theft doesn't mean being anti-whatever religion the thief is.

As for saying injurious things to people because of their beliefs, well if their beliefs hold that they are God's chosen people and they have a right to steal other people's property then it's pretty much a duty to say injurious things against those beliefs.

The Druids used to own England. If a bunch of Welsh Druids turned up outside your home claiming it was theirs by divine right would you give it to them? If not then you have no business supporting Israel.

John Small, Faversham, UK

None of those in UCU seem to have concerned themselves with a proposal to boycott academics from the Republic of China to express their horror at China''s occupation of Tibet since 1948 (interesting coincidence of date).
Sue Blackwell ,who started all this, was very depressed to find her in box filling up with communications from those who assumed that ,because of her advocacy of a boycott, she was also an enthusiastic admirer of David Irving. Renton, many people use anti-Zionism as a cover for frank anti-Semitism. Your email with its reference to 'box office dollars might'suggest that you are one of this group.

Diotima, London, UK

"Sounds familiar, blame every one else but do not look at self which must be the the main root cause for anti-semitism."

This statement could have been written by Goebbels. Naturally the 'final solution' to the 'root cause' will be the 'elimination' of the state of Israel. As we speak this is what Hamas fights for in the Gaza strip this morning.

WSC, Paris,

Of course it's pure anti-semitism. The loonies at the UCU have gone beyond what even I would expect of them. Never mind folks, Israeli academics and universities are light years ahead of the failing Oxbridge cadre - it's pure politics no-one will give a damn. It's just an excuse for the usual suspects to crawl from under their stones.

victor, Malaga, Spain

Wouldn't it be nice if we pedants could reclaim the word "anti-Semitic" from the politicians so that people understood that it should be used to describe antipathy to _any_ of the Semitic races, not just one of them?

Since all other approaches to stopping Semites beating seven bells out of each other have failed, it couldn't do any harm.....

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

The reason why such a boycott is anti-Jewish is that similar boycotts are not in place against countries doing worse things. For example the Russians to Chechnya; the Chinese to Tibet; Zimbabwe, Sudan in Darfor, Indonesia to Papua. Why keep picking on the Jews?

William, Northwood, UK

One thing I have never understood about the Jewish obsession with anti-semitism is how it flies in the face of the inherent racism of Judaism. It is the most unbelievable and irrational hypocrisy. But hey, I guess its an obsession that's made (and continues to make) a lot of box office dollars.

renton, London,

Not everyone whose views are inconvenient for Jews is an anti-Semite. The term has a fairly narrow meaning.

Racists have been systematically excluded from universities for years. The principle of boycott is well established, I haven't bothered to defend them myself - I don't need a brick though my window. Ironically, much of the motivation has been revulsion of anti-Semitism.

You can have a sensible argument about whether Jews are a race or not, and therefore whether Zionism, originally a secular movement, is racism. Once you have sold the pass of academic freedom, the details of which particular groups are in or out of favor are minor.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK

Demonization, Delegitimization, Double Standards. These are the 3 D's that show the difference between criticism of Israel as a state and anti Semitism masquerading as same.

The over the top rhetoric is demonization. The refusal to allow Jewish self determination is Delegitimization. Double standards are ignoring all the evil in the world and focusing on a democracy in a bad neighborhood.

D M , Los Angeles, USA

So tell me, "Infiniti", what are the root causes of anti-semitism? Have Jews brought it on themselves all these many years?

Nancy, Toronto, Canada

"It is no enlargement at all to rewrite this definition as follows. Anti-Semitism consists, first, of beliefs about Jews or the Jewish State that are both false and hostile, and secondly, of injurious things said to or about Jews or the Jewish State, or done to them, in consequence of those beliefs. . "

As a matter of simple logic, it's easy to see why this is wrong. An antisemite would be hostile to Israel because of the true belief that it is a Jewish state - it would be the Jewishness that was the basis of the hostility.

Someone who was hostile to Israel because of false beliefs about it may or may not be an antisemite. Perhaps they are hostile because of the false belief that it is a Muslim state, for instance.

Jamie, Bolton, UK

Stop being pathetic. The Israelis have tortured the Palestinians for years. A boycott should have happened years ago before the whole of the Palestinian land has been destroyed.

Ben, London,

Sounds familiar, blame every one else but do not look at self which must be the the main root cause for anti-semitism.

infiniti, england, sussex

One can only wonder what the boycott brigade is thinking tonite as the palestinians are killing each other in Gaza and the west bank. No doubt they will blame Israel for this too. They will of course not look at the true criminal in this the Islamic Republic of Iran. Already Iran funds, trains, and arms Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Al Sadr in Iraq. Along with their puppet ally Syria they are waging a gorilla war to extend its hegemony over the region. The mullahs must be rubbing their hands in glee at the west for its indifference about Irans aggression against its neighbors. So much easier just to blame the jews for the palestians' suffering instead of its leaders. Just spout the usual lines about Isarel and ignore what its neighbors are doing particularly Iran. No wonder Iran's leaders has such contempt for the west.

Garry, C'burg, USA

Let's for a moment forget that this is Israel and take the boycott down to its bare bones.

The decision to label a country and it's institutions as 'wrong' is a simplistic and moronic approach to trying to understand and create change in the middle east.

Surely any body or organisation trying to promote a policy, such as a boycott, should be looking to effect an outcome from their actions. The boycott is a 'punishment' to the very people who have the power in the future to institute change i.e. the student body and those educating them. It has no positive outcome.

Such a boycott is a self-congratulatory pat on the back by a group of individuals who obviously feel impotent to do anything that could be judged as constructive. It is devoid of reason and lacking in any direction to create change.

These individuals should be looking to engage in dialogue with the institutions they want to boycott however this would mean putting aside egos and making a bit more effort....

GBK, London, England

So the boycott is bad, as it is against free expression. This article in no way addresses the loss of freedom of expression to the majority of Palestinians. A boycott would be a desperate measure, but we are in need of desperate measures, as all else has failed to resolve the issues.

You say how the innocent will suffer if a boycott goes ahead, but you don't mention how the innocent suffer under Israeli rules and actions that are supposed to be against the insurgent elements.

This article is one-sided - it could be made more balanced by detailing how Palestinians were to be helped in overcoming their loss of freedom of movement, water, land, further education, medicine etc. But that does not seem to worry the writer.

I resent the logic that if I wish to boycott Israel then I am anti-semite. This is an easy get out in place of reasoned argument. The writer also mentioned Hitler's Germany, and I am sorry but any mention of Hitler etc and their argument is lost.

Chris Reed, Crawley, UK

While I am not in favour of the boycot and do not condone these resolutions, I am outraged by the - old - killer argument that anything opposing the state of Israel is antisemitic. I agree that those behind the boycot measure Israel with a different yardstick than they would other nations now or earlier in history (e.g. given the real situation in Communist countries in the 1970s a boycot against their universities and academic personnell, which by the very nature of that system were (forced to be) in line with official policies) would have been far more justified. BUT I strongly disagree with the logic that to be against Israel (for whatever reason) is to be against Jews in general and thus anyone dissenting with that government is thrown into the same pot as an SA-thug in 1930s germany. The "boycot"-resolutions are unnecessary and indeed an infringement on Academic freedom and freedom of speech, but certainly no justification to wield the "Anti-Semitism"-clutch.

Andreas Ottitsch, Penrith, UK

Mr.Dershowitz is the last person to preach on the issue of academic boycotts. He has just succeeded, after more than two years of intense lobbying, in getting Norman Finkelstein, a professor with an exemplary record of publishing whose quality is recognized by world-wide authorities like Avi Shlaim and Raul Hilberg, denied tenure at de Paul University in Chicago, when it recently came up for renewel. He employed every device in the book, from slanderous misrepresentation to ad hominem slurs, to wipe off the scene an academic, the son of Holocaust survivors, who happened to disagree with him, indeed one who showed Dershowitz's own work on Israel is plagued by plagiarism. As the author of a personal vendetta that now looks like imposing a boycott on Finkelstein's work, he is hardly qualified to dignify these pages with comments on the subject..

Peter Dale, Rome, Italy

On behalf of the majority of the thinking British population I would like to apologize to the Jews for this boycott by a lot of naive, narrow minded bigots.
That includes the Unions and some of the Times' readers who seem badly informed on history,possibly because most of them have majored in media studies or knitting.

Minnie Ovens, Los Angeles, USA

Rubbish! Absolute, unmitigated rubbish from start to finish! And the author knows it!

Trotting out that hoary old chestnut that any and all criticism of the State of Israel is born out of our overwhelming hatred of the Jews is deliberately evasive, sweepingly generalised, intellectually dishonest, patronising, and quite frankly offensive!

How about a third option to the two you mentioned? Tell me, generally speaking, how much access does a palestinian in occupied territory have to Israeli universities?

Neil Barber, Leeds, West Yorkshire

The funadamental problem is the deliberate conflation of the concepts of religion, nation and state. I regard this as abhorent, but I still regard the boycott as ridiculous because at least Israel is in many ways a modern democratic country. It is surrounded by varying degrees of medievalism. The use of the term "anti-semitic", however, ends up discrediting the user. Its overuse as a form of joker to trump all other arguments has resulted in a laziness in moral thought, as it has in cases of "sexism" and "racism".

al, london,

Everyone is allowed to be criticised except Israel. I am sick of this country expecting special treatment just because of the war(ww2). What they did to Lebabnon was wrong and overerreactionary. That is why people are boycotting them and criticising them. If they listened they would also hear that many european jews are also criticising them.

Kurt Steiner, Toronto, Canada

Dershowitz is right why pick only Israel ? is England such honnest and decent country to give lessons to others or maybe Pakistans as many Pakistanis vote in the uk election,or IRAN

s.avner, london, england

why does the times even print these type of articles.? Cries of anti-semitism don't wash anymore. Jews generally put themselves 'outside' the relm of the rest of us because of their treatment during the second world war. Horrible though that was, it is no argument for justification for what the self proclaimed state of israel is dong to the Palestinians. Today's Jews should stop navel gazing, get out of the bunker mentality and start living in the real world -and not one they have created for themselves to perpetuate 'special treatment'.

marinanne, london, uk

Too much is being made of this. It's just a few left wing anoraks playing politics and will be completely ignored in the real world.

David Bannen, Oxford, UK

It is anti-semitism. Full stop.
It also reflects on the boycotters intellectual ability to reason. If a student there I would worry about the academic quality.
No I am not a Jew.

Richard, London,

The boycott may or may not be wrong (although I would argue that freedom of expression does not make it incumbent on another to listen or agree). However, it is disingenuous to wave a big red flag in the air and scream 'anti-semetic, anti-semetic' any time that Israel is criticised.

It's a blatant attempt to deflect criticism using the fear of appearing prejudiced and by tacitly comparing anyone who takes part in such criticisms to Hitler.

More dangerously, it also serves to make anti-semitism look like a cynical political tool. I don't think anyone wants that

Addy, Luton,

I cannot believe British university people being against liberalism, boycotting their Israel counterparts. It is a first step to become second rate. To say the least.
Alo, I congratulate warmly the authors of this comment.

Marta, Sant Cugat del Valles, Catalonia Spain

Did you *read* the article, Mr Phil Greene?
They are not saying they have any problem with criticising Israel. In fact they hold up the example of Israeli academics criticising the actions of their own government.
The whole point is that they believe justified criticism should be aired in open debate; and believe that boycotting Israeli universities is unheplful in practice and wrong in principle.
They also raise a valid point that the more intemperate denunciation of Israel is generally based, not on valid criticisms of the Israeli government, but on unfounded hatred of Jews in general.

Guy Fletcher-Wood, Oxford, UK

One can and should denounce the Jewish State for what they do, without being labeled as anti-semetic. Israel is not immune to criticism as these guys maintain.

Phil Greene, houston, Tx

It is not anti-semitic to disagree with the establishment, by force, of the State of Israel, or to condem the treatment of those people displaced or ruled by Israel.

It is also not anti-semitic to question the situation, aims and future direction of any group, country or religious movement: what is being sought is the continuation of the supression of any debate about Israel, the Middle East, or the aims of Zionism.

Freedom of speech and view is all that is really being asked for.

paul, Hull, UK

Sorry but we have heard this old chesnut so many times now and nobody believes it anymore, its like the boy that cried wolf. To condemn or boycot Israel because of some of its actions, is not being anti-semitic, it's being anti those actions. A BIG difference. To try and make out that such a boycot is anti-semitic is really rather disingenuous, to liken its motives to those of the holecaust is just heinous and disgusting and the authors should be ashamed of themselves.

I don't agree with such a boycot, but i can understand the reasons for it. Really the US, the EU, UN etc., should be putting more pressure on Israel to return those territories that they illegally hold and are illegally resettling. As it is Israel literally gets away with murder, for instance they should be facing sanctions because of their illegal settlements and their Nuclear weapons program. Israel gets more leeway than most countries in the world when it comes to not being punished for illegal acts.

J W Randall, Edinburgh,

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This boycott is not just wrong, it’s anti-Semitic

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