This just a lie!

dan, fffff, fffff

The rise of anti -semitism is clearly displayed by the boycott proposed .
Israel, the only true democracy in the middle east, is being singled out as being guilty without the right of reply.
Have we learned nothing since the 14/18 and the 39/45 Wars. How much persecution do the followers of the Jewish religeon have to suffer before they are allowed to live in peace.
Many other countries guilty of human rights violation are patently ignored.
Remember how much Jewish academics, Doctors and scientists have given to the rest of the world. All we ask in return is the right to live in peace.
We do not want to be tolerated!
2000 years is surely enough.
The voice of reason is silenced.

Dr Clive Feingold, Bowdon, Cheshire, U.K.

Guys
the information is a bit incorrect
the "mamma-mia" production has started preforming in tel-aviv yesterday evening in a GALA preformence with a (as usual) standing ovation.
we regret the academic planned boycot but do not fear.
"mamma-mia" will continue running in the NOKIA arena (the Macabi tel-aviv basketball stadium) and will continue having a standing ovation every night
i saw it 4 times in london allready and israelies know a good thing when they see one. just like the english pepole...

Yossi W., Holon, Israel

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Nagano: "Even the Authorised version of the Holocaust is starting to come unravelled. At this rate David Irving will become almost respectable. As so often happens, Israel is over-playing its hand. That's done it. Now my firewall will light up like a Christmas tree."

Yes, Andrew. Forget millions of men, women, children and infants slaughtered - you're the real victim here, eh?

Dan, Hampton, UK

completely ignoring the heavily biased reporter, I have to say that at least SOME people in Israel are not helping the situation in any fashion. In particular Otniel Schneller, who is quoted in the article as describing this latest trend in British universities to dis-recommend schools in Israel as "anti-semitic".

Either he's deliberately fanning the embers, the quote is [probably] taken out of context and refers to something else entirely. It's possible, even, that he doesn't know - or expects us to not know - the definition of anti-semitism.

Attacking a nation's policies is still a pretty far cry from attacking the people or religion.

Erik, Denver, CO

I am not sure where you get your news from!

Mama Mia has nearly sold out 24 shows in Israel - the venue, a HUGE sports area - was picked about months ago (I bought my tickets at least 3 months ago before this whole boycott thing began)!! I was at the show tonight and it was AMAZING, the Israelis LOVED it, there wasn't an empty seat in the place. So please, get your facts straight.

Lynne, Tel Aviv, Israel

Yehudasf appears to have touched a raw nerve with his reference to Northern Ireland. Are we Brits unable to "see oursels as others see us"? I think the point he is making is that the Plantation of Ulster was an act of aggression rather than of self-preservation, and yet we recognise that it is unchristian to maintain a permanent vendetta over the issue. The fact that a majority within Ulster wishes to remain in the Union is no doubt partly a consequence of the Plantation itself. Were the Israelis able to settle Gaza and the West Bank as successfully they could also make an appeal to majority opinion. As it is, Israel continues to face an existential threat and has to be judged in those terms. No-one today describes East Prussia as being "occupied by Poland". If Israel believes it is the target of anti-semitism it could be because the president of a near neighbouring country has called for its annihilation without any corresponding academic boycott of Iran by the U&CU.

Kevin, London,

fiona from newquay....you are absolutely correct

frabs, vienna,

it should be banned all over the world and
for the real reason: this is a crappy show with no taste

aziz, london,

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Nagano: "Even the Authorised version of the Holocaust is starting to come unravelled. At this rate David Irving will become almost respectable. As so often happens, Israel is over-playing its hand. That's done it. Now my firewall will light up like a Christmas tree."

Yes, Andrew. Forget millions of men, women, children and infants slaughtered - you're the real victim here, eh?

Dan, Hampton, UK

It appears that the Israeli posters here are saying the boycott of British goods is nonsense. How I wish the Israelis would boycott our goods, then perhaps people here in the UK will wake up to the propaganda constantly shoved down our throats by the palestinian lobby.

With the journalists and academics (notorious ly anti-Israeli) boycotting, it's time the Israelis fought back. Hit them where it hurts.

I buy Israeli goods here whenever I can, and M&S is my favourite shop - to counter the anti-Israel sentiment that seems to permeate this country.

fiona, newquay,

Where did you get the labelling idea from? The information in this article is inaccurate. Israel does not intend to labell British products (as if Harry Potter, for example, needs labelling...), not to mention boycotting them.

Journalists who publish without verifying their information first should be boycotted, though.

Tzipporah, Tel Aviv, Israel

The UCU's actions are clearly anti-semitic as they have chosen to single Israel out while ignoring worse human rights abuses carried out by many regimes in the world. What about China's occupation of Tibet for example? Seems to me to be a clear case of loony leftie hypocrisy. Good on the Israel for not taking it lying down!

Now if the UCU were to ban academic contact with all the countried in the world that clearly abused human rights - fair enough! But who would they have contact with? They might not eve be able to talk to themselves!

Andrew Brown, Derby , UK

The British Government continues to be hijacked by splinter groups policy. This extends the view amongst Islamic fundamentalists, that Britain is the most hospitable place to wage an ideology war from.

Paul Charney, London, UK

why doesn't somebody ask the palestinians what they think?

pal, palestine,

This is far form being true. Mama Mia is almost a sold out and everybody are waiting for the show. Actually I know that the crew is in Tel Aviv already.
Your sources are so lame... Everything is ok in here and you just looking for some blood.

Alon, Tel Aviv, Israel

I read the following comment:

Could someone please tell the Israelis that "Bjørn and Benny" is not a welsh anti-semitic slur and that Stockholm is not the capital of the Orkney Islands. Boycotting a Swedish musical to punist the Brits is truly hare-brained.

victor, Berlin, Germany

Well, my dear Victor of Germany - As an Israeli I would recommend you and anyobdy who reads this comment, not to rely on British media as a source of getting real information about Israel or the Mid East.
They are next in line to boycot us so how objctive can they be ???
FYI - there is no boycot on that show or anything associated with England. You will be surprised to learn that, though it is diminishing, there is still great admiration for England here....

Mani, Tel Aviv, Israel

THIS ARTICLE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH REALITY!
Now that I put it that way, I hope everyone reads that before making any more comments...
This is not the forum to even start and explain the Palestian-Israeli conflict, but let me just say there are two sides to the story. I know in most foreign channels the Palestian side gets more publicity, but it doesn't mean it is RIGHT.
Does anyone remember that Ehud Barak had suggested to give away 97% of the occupied territories (which Israel won in war, forced into) ,finish this conflict once and for all? Do you remember what was the Palestinians reaction? think again. They started more riots. They are not ready to end up this conflict and this is the sad truth. Not to mention that most other nations never had to give back lands they had occupied under same conditions.
It will take generations to solve this issue only because Palestinians need to change their way of thinking. Iran is also behind it- as I said,it's a complicated situation.

Dana, SF, CA

You got to hand it to Israel; they sure know how to get out the vote. But the actions of British academia are symptomatic of the way world opinion is turning against Israel. Separate anti-Semitism from anti-Zionism and you have an issue that many can identify with. At last false flag operations like the attack on the USS Liberty in 1967 are getting the exposure they deserve. And gradually the US public realise the stranglehold Israel (through it's proxies) has on US politics, literally getting legislation enacted that is against US interests but very much in Israel's interests. Even the Authorised version of the Holocaust is starting to come unravelled. At this rate David Irving will become almost respectable. As so often happens, Israel is over-playing its hand. That's done it. Now my firewall will light up like a Christmas tree.

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Nagano

Dear yehudasf, sf, USA

Kneejerk reactions such as yours are ill-informed and accomplish nothing.

First of all, there are Irish and Scottish MPs in Parliament, and our next PM is Scottish. Hardly the actions of an "occupying force", dont you agree?

Secondly, the Germans were defeated in WWII, and subsequently had allied forces marching into Berlin. What Israel is doing is akin to the British and Americans occupying Germany till today.

Thirdly, modern Israel is the only entity that is supposedly immune to critisism. Why is it that when any other country critisises Israel, it is immediately denounced as anti-semitism?

Lastly, more Chinese nationals were killed by the Japanese in WWII than Jews, up to 90% of them civilians (depending on which historian you believe). So stop crying about the holocaust because I (and others) certainly dont hold the Japanese of today responsible for the atrocities of their forefathers!

Chee, Coventry,

at least try to be accurate:
1. the show is already running in tel-aviv, and no one ever considered cancelling it.
2. the idea for that bill is from a member that is seeking headlines in the press. no one took is seriously.
3. the union workers do unload british imports
4. seems like the reporter is also looking for "hot" headlines - and not the facts. the fact is that we are dissapointed by britain time after time, and that some of you are racists, and always have been.

Aviad, Kfar-Saba,

you where once a brave nation today you are dreaming about your past .wth was for the last 400 year murdering and robbing the irrish nation.trading the abony trade.pirats onthe sea.forcing to drugg by force the chineese .creating
arrtificial countries for your interest in the midle east in the land that was given to you to protect . hippocrits ,and drunc.
sorry that my inglish is not good . but i hope !!!!!! that at least you will publish what i think about you now
that as a nation .without insulting personal maybee wanderfull humen beengs

shalom livnat, rishon, israel

Anwar, I hope the democratic, civilized world does something about the atrocities committed by Syria against Lebanon as well. Those atrocities, by the way, have not even been even loosely related to the "right to exist."

Butrus, Cairo, Egypt,

UK people wake up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When the bombs will hit you don't say .we didn't know
And don't say so few tourist so many death.

Yesterday we saw the show and it was very but very good

i have a dream ...........

eyal, tel aviv,

that's a lie. you shuld check you'r sources!

at list 60,000 people bought tickets to the musical, no one here is talking about : "silence Mamma Mia!".

we are not childish here in ISRAEL we dont do boycotts deliberately because some so called scholars in you'r country do

Tal, Tel-Aviv, Israel

This is a great prove to the pro Palestinians British press.
the show is on right now!!!
Times you can't call yourselfs a newspaper, jurnalist needs to report the news not make them up!!!

MOR, HADERA,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_antisemitism

Michael, London,

They will do what they need to do, as always akram. They used Me109s when those were the available aircraft choice. The IAF doesn't live or die by Britain's support.

Tom, TX, USA

you people are so detached from simple reality. The simple facts are wrong. The play was played today in TA, in front of capacity audience. 23 more shows are scheduled
will ANY anti-israeli propoganda pass as truth now?
No wonder you boycott Israel, who knows what you believe?

Gal, NZ,

I hope that Abba will now schedule its play in Riyadh or Jiddah, nearby.
Then, perhaps a reading of the British writer Orwell's novel 1984 in Damascus.

Andrew, Hong Kong, China

This proposed British academic boycott of Israeli universities is a real shame. There are unfortunately similar intentions in other countries like France.

It must be remembered that Israel is not "occupying Palestinian ground". Those lands, all filled with Jewish major historic sites like Hebron and were conquered during the 1967 war in which Israel had to defend its very existence.
Besides, it must also be remembered that Jordan was ruling the West Bank until 1967. Were there any proposed boycotts of Jordanian Universities ??
Before passing judgements, it is necessary to review History Facts.

ERWAN, ORLEANS, FRANCE

AFAIK the show is already running and the Israeli crowed is attending the show as you read.
I rather if the information will be verified prior to it's being posted on the papers.
I wonder where did the misinformation came from?

ArikV, Dublin, Ireland

a load of rubbish - my Mum's (62) going tomorrow night & very much looking forward to it.

david, jerusalem,

Really, what other stories will the British press invent against Israel? The Mamma Mia show already started in Tel-Aviv and London is still one of the favourite holiday places for most Israelis.

As a Brit who lives in Israel, a counter boycotte against the UK will be a good thing. It will make no difference to the UK industry, nor will British Airways loose a penny if they stop flying to Tel-Aviv.
But to read and hear the most rediculous lies against Israel is way too much...

Yair, Tel-Aviv, Israel

You think that a respected British news paper would do a bit of reserch before writing something like that... It is true that here in Israel we were not happy to hear about the boycott idea but everyone I know is going to the show (that already started by the way), we will not doungrade ourselves to such a level such as boycott, as aposed to what's being published about us, we are a smart mation of people, we do not mix politics with art and colture!!!
As for the Times, they should print a retraction, or at list get the facts right, like a news paper is meant to do...

Yael Jolie Noy, Holon, Israel

For a moment there I thought my fellow Israelis developed refined tastes overnight. Alas, this is not true, and the show opened last night to a full house. It is also sold out. And of course the union's boycott has an anti-semitic undercurrent. Or else they would have had to boycott a great many other countries, and also the Palestinians (for, among many other things, the constant persecution of Palestinian Christians and the on-the-spot *execution* of homosexuals). But does anyone protest about that (other than left-wing Israeli groups)? Does any country (other than Israel) give them asylum? No. And the compassionate Union? Not a word. Disgraceful. Two faced. Anti-semitic.

ERS, Tel Aviv, Israel

I'm not sure that everything here is true....
Mamma Mia have 24 performances here in Tel-Aviv and most of the tickets already sold.

Roni, TA, Israel

israel we love u !!!!!

saar, iran,

THE SHOW WASN'T CANCELLED!

i saw it last night... no boycot or anything, the show was and is still on, playing at Tel-Aviv's top theaters, i don't understand who told you its cancelled but check your sources

YOAV, TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

Dear Sonia mgr. could you please put extra qualty assurance on the lady future articles?
Academic relaionship are good for the world, whom ever is against it said his goal.

Eitan, Portland, Oregon

It is amazing hoe people here are so thirsty for anger and hatered. This article is based on unfounded facts, "due to open in Tel Aviv in a few weeks" - well i would expect more because the show has already started, and so with the comments they tried to quote there.
why do you all enjoy sitting on your sofas and critisising without even checking the accuracy and truthfullness of what you see?

Ernie, Hong Kong,

Anwar, Damascus, Syria: "Finally the west is starting to realise the brutality of the Jewish State and what it has done to other nations in the name of "right to existence"."

Rubbish. Syria has committed barbarities beyond imagining, the more recent being the massacre of 20,000 Syrians - your own people - at Hama to say nothing of the deliberate ruination of Lebanon. Human rights abuses within Syria are legion under the continuance of the Ba'athist dictatorship and you accuse Israel of discrimination? Typical double-standards.

Dan, Hampton, UK

This is NOT true. it have already began playing, and there are no problems. This is the fact. The producer of the show said it today to the Israeli media.

Yuval, Jerusalem, Israel

sorry to spoil, but the musical Mamma Mia is already on stage in Tel-Aviv.
I just come back from the opening night, i was great!

Ehud, Tel-Aviv, Israel

It's funny, a number of lefties decry Israel's counter boycott as racist... well what is the UK boycott then? It just sounds like a bunch of whingers that don't like a taste of their own medicine.

Canadian, TO,

im sick of all the Americans that constantly say how Britain is a country about to be submerged by islam, without actually knowing the reality. At most muslims make up 4% of the population and the majority have no intention of changing our culture or imposing sharia law or any of the like, although they need to integrate more. If you actually in your life befriended a muslim you would know this. Anyway the U.S is going to become a hispanic country a long time before any european country becomes islamic.

Deepan, Winchester, Hampshire

Could someone please tell the Israelis that "Bjørn and Benny" is not a welsh anti-semitic slur and that Stockholm is not the capital of the Orkney Islands. Boycotting a Swedish musical to punist the Brits is truly hare-brained.

victor, Berlin, Germany

I hope you do know that this is a completely bogus article... All the 24 shows of Mamma Mia are almost sold out... But ok, I guess journalism nowadays is more about sensation than the actual truth.

Manuel K., Bat Yam,

This knee jerk reaction highlights that extremists within the Israeli government will be working hard to prevent a global chain reaction of measures against the Israeli government.

The British talk of a boycott voiced the growing global opinion that solving the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is the first step to defusing the current global tension and that we need to lean not only on the Palestinian government but also the Israeli government.

But whilst such fanatics, with such false cries of anti-semitism and anti-islam to rally the masses, exist in both governments the road to peace will be a broken one.

Dominic Robinson, London,

As a (Scottish) lecturer, I would like to make a few comments.

1. I think our union is behaving dreadfully. It doesn't have the support of it's members and I honestly believe that the union should concentrate on the issues faced by it's members, rather than being a quasi-political party.

2. It's really irritating that majority of people confuse England and Britain (see the post Yehudasfm who uses Britain, UK and England randomly).

3. Also regarding Yehudasf's post, it's clear this person knows nothing about Ireland, so should do us all a favour and never comment on the issue again (i.e. the majority of NI want to remain part of the UK).

CSG, Newcastle,

The show is almost sold out. Hardly any tickets left. There is no boycott!

eithan, tel aviv, israel

I do wish the reporter would get their facts right rather than just fabricating nonsense like this.

Far from being due to open in a few weeks - the production actually had it's first performance tonight at the Nokia arena - the only venue in Israel that the production is playing by the way. So who the other theatre companies mentioned are I have no idea!

For the record, the show opened to a very appreciative packed audience and received a standing ovation! Nobody seems to have told the people here (Tel Aviv) about the massive backlash apparently!

Don Jonathan, London - Tel Aviv!,

This article is completely unfounded and utter misinformation. Mama Mia opened in Tel Aviv this evening to a packed audience, none of whom had heard of this supposed boycott. Ms Verma has quite an imagination!
So steam away y'all about absolutely nothing...

leyla, Tel Aviv, Israel

I dislike anti-Semitism--but is any disagreement with Israel, on any subject, anti-Semitism? Does the world need to blindly accept everything the Semites (to use their word) do, or else be labeled anti-Semites?
Keep it up and Israel will face the real thing a lot more than it does now.

Hans Gundersen, New York, New York, USA

i m sick of all the Americans that constantly say how Britain is a country about to be submerged by islam, without actually knowing the reality. At most muslims make up 4% of the population and the majority have no intention of changing our culture or imposing sharia law or any of the like, although they need to integrate more. If you actually in your life befriended a muslim you would know this. Anyway the U.S is going to become a hispanic country a long time before any european country becomes islamic.

Deepan, Winchester, Hampshire

Where's Julie Burchill when she's needed?

Frank H., London,

why only ISRAEL?

asus, london, uk

It is all so foolish on the U and C Union to start such a political row. In the end it serves no useful purpose, and both countries could suffer and solve nothing. The UK government together with Israel should stop this ridiculous move before it gets out of hand.

John S., Arizona,

First of all, I strongly disagree with the idea of an academic boycott. Academia is usually the greatest source of thoughtful and productive dialogue, particularly on difficult social issues. This academic boycott will serve only to further stifle open and honest debate.

However, I would also like to know why it is that honest questions or criticism of Israeli actions, particularly with regards to issues such as Palestine or Lebanon, are invariably met with accusations of anti-Semitism. This sort of response is no less counter-productive and yet, it is used again and again.

Ian, Toronto,

As a British Jew, I heartily commend the Israeli people for their action in boycotting British goods. Only when Britain is hit hard in the pocket will the government start to realise that the growth in antisemitism in Britain is a direct result of their pandering to the Muslim community at every opportunity -- a community that has largely thrown two fingers up when it comes to integrating with people of other faiths, and amongst whom dwell a large percentage who support the enemies of secular, democratic values.

Ian Posner, London,

But ... Abba was a SWEDISH group!

starling, Lancaster,

TIme for Britain to bring a halt to all the aid we give to the Israelis, both UK aid and EU aid. Israel is foolish if it thinks Britain gives a toss about Israel and its apartheid policies.

Lets see how far the Israelis go. I'd love to see how they will bomb Palestinians from the air without the British components in those american made aircraft.

akram, London,

This is pathetic. A boycott from some unimportant academics and the Israelis over-react. Of course, this puts them in line for conflict with both the EU and the WTO. As for yehudasf - plus ca change with the Americans - presumably they will support Israel against the UK.

eddie reader, birmingham, uk

david M, perth, australia: "So the Israeli's demand that British products be labeled as British, so that Israeli's can discriminate against those products.

It is interesting, though probably not entirely relevent, that jewish history knows something about labels, particularly the Star of David."

Riggght - so labelling a product with country of origin makes Israelis Nazis? What an idiotic statement.

Dan, Hampton, UK

I have told the the Israelis that considering their size they are an economic and military superpower "act like one". It looks that they will. Good. But no doubt the Muslim world will come to the rescue of one of their own. Or shortly to be.

George Steiner, Lachine, Quebec, Canada

Finally the west is starting to realise the brutality of the Jewish State and what it has done to other nations in the name of "right to existence". I am sure that Israel, witch built its existence on the miseries of the Palestinians and committed numerous crimes against humanities in the 50 years of its existence will one day turn against itself. I believe this state, being in the first place based upon religious discriminations and exclusiveness, carries the seeds of its won destruction. Only time will tell.

I am hpoing that the democratic, civilsed worls will come to realise that it ows it to humanity to do something to do something about this.

Anwar, Damascus, Syria

The hypocrisy of the British is beyond belief. They dare to suggest a boycott while they still illegaly occuppy the 6 counties that make up so-called "northern Ireland"? Last I noticed, the Irish had not declared a war of aggression against England, lost and had their land seized as "spoils of war". Only Israel seems to be expected to give back to the aggressors what they lost when they started & lost their wars of aggression. England is a prime proof that the "new left" is nothing more than its antecedent, the nazi party. Bowing and scraping to try to appease the mooslim minority in the UK will not avail. They are the enemy within your gates, resolute foes of your culture. Awaken or witness the death of your distinct identity as a nation and a people.

yehudasf, sf, USA

So the Israeli's demand that British products be labeled as British, so that Israeli's can discriminate against those products.

It is interesting, though probably not entirely relevent, that jewish history knows something about labels, particularly the Star of David.

david M, perth, australia

Is the play in Hebrew or English? Can't it be played in Cairo Hebron or Amman so that non-boycotters can see the play?

Ab, London,