Defending the University from BDS

(Algemeiner) Andrew Pessin - The Judicial Board at Montreal's McGill University ruled last Tuesday that resolutions affirming the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel violate the constitution and equity policy of its student government, the Students' Society of McGill University (SSMU). That means that McGill, whose campus has in the past 18 months endured three consecutive BDS campaigns and votes, all of which ultimately failed, will finally be able to return full-time to its proper business. The Judicial Board noted that SSMU's mission is to "facilitate communication and interaction between all students," to refrain from discrimination on the basis of "race, national or ethnic origin...[or] religion" and to create "an 'anti-oppressive' atmosphere where all of its membership feels included." "McGill is first and foremost a university, a place of knowledge and intellectual growth - a fact that is often forgotten....[Our student government] cannot be the venue for a proxy war." This is not about defending Israel. Criticize Israel all you want. It is about defending the university. The writer is Professor of Philosophy at Connecticut College.


2016-06-07 00:00:00

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