letters 10/12 More conflict than peace in academic boycott

More conflict than peace in academic boycott

• From:The Australian 
• December 10, 2012 12:00AM

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IF Associate Professor Jake Lynch were in the department of physics or biology I would be saddened, but not outraged, by his support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions group, and his wish to boycott Israeli academics.

But he is in charge of the University of Sydney's Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies.

Even if Dan Avnon were an extreme Israeli hawk, it would still seem misguided to prevent dialogue.

But in fact he has worked hard for reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.

Solveig Hamilton, West Hobart, Tas

THE attacks on Associate Professor Jake Lynch for his commitment to boycotting Israeli institutions are not surprising and are reminiscent of similar attacks against those of us who supported a boycott on South Africa during the apartheid era. I have no knowledge of the work of Israeli academic Professor Dan Avnon and no reason to believe that his research is any less valuable than work undertaken by some liberal-leaning South African academics who were isolated during the boycott of apartheid South Africa.

People may well have philosophical objections to this boycott, but let's not demonise those who advocate the Israeli boycott as extremists, anti-Semites or objects for ridicule.

Alastair Harris, Braidwood, NSW