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Hundreds of Scholars Sign Letter Against Academic Boycott of Israel
(Washington Post) Eugene Kontorovich - Over 800 academics thus far have signed a new letter opposing an academic boycott of Israel. The letter states: We, the undersigned...oppose faculty or student boycotts of Israel's academic institutions, scholars and students. Our opposition is rooted in the following core principles: 1.Academic freedom: The BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement discriminates against Israeli institutions, professors, and students for no other reason than their nationality and the policies of their government. Thus BDS violates the very principle of academic freedom. Academic boycotts such as those promoted by BDS activists "are antithetical to the fundamental principles of the academy, where we will not hold intellectual exchange hostage to the political disagreements of the moment," according to a statement signed by 300 university presidents in 2007. 2.Truth: The factual record does not support the accusations and narratives of the BDS movement. Many are based on overstatements, cherry-picked evidence, outright falsehood, or on disputed or highly biased data. 3.Peace: The two-state solution - which guarantees to both parties mutual recognition - enjoys the endorsement of the UN, U.S., EU, and the Arab League. By demonizing and seeking to isolate one of the two parties to the peace process, the anti-Israel BDS movement sets itself apart from the global consensus for peace.