BMJ  2007;335:125 (21 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.39266.509016.AD

Feature

Head to head

Should we consider a boycott of Israeli academic institutions? No

University College London, London WC1E 6AU

Tony Blair's appointment as Middle East peace envoy is intended to invigorate the peace process. Tom Hickey thinks boycotting universities might encourage the Israeli government to reach a settlement, but Michael Baum believes collaboration is a more effective way forward

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

First of all I should declare a conflict of interest. I am a Jew and a Zionist. However, before anyone issues a Fatwa, let me explain. I consider myself a secular Jew who abhors the fanaticism among West Bank settlers. I support a two state solution. The Palestinians must have self determination; 60 years of statelessness after the British mandate is enough. This position is held by all my Israeli academic friends and colleagues. These academics are the very constituency the boycotters are targeting and are disproportionately represented in the peace camp. How can alienating this group enhance the peace process?

The Israeli universities and research institutes are no more agents of Israel than Oxford or Cambridge are of the United Kingdom. And they are not responsible for repression of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories—a policy which is universally unpopular. Furthermore, it is nonsense to suggest that you can target . . . [Full text of this article]

Multicultural society

Balance and cooperation

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Summerfield, D. A (2007). Royal Society of Medicine under attack by pro-Israel doctors. BMJ 335: 842-842 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

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Balance and co-operation, not boycott

Hazel Thornton
bmj.com, 21 Jul 2007 [Full text]

Boycott based on ignorance and prejudice

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How about a boycott of the BMJ?

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more political than moral

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On Polls and Politics

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Academic Boycotts

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Response and challenge to Professor Baum: what counts as evidence?

derek a summerfield
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You must be kidding

Steven G. Morgen
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Do you really want to boycott this

Gillian Kay
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Gins, tonics and bitter lemons

Mark Struthers
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Boycotting supporters are not suffering

Saleem, J Abdallah
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Who should have more say in how oppression is challenged?

G Mir
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Re: A stain on the reputation of the BMJ

Jeremy Segal
bmj.com, 26 Jul 2007 [Full text]

Who is listening?

Martin Wolfson
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Oppose Israeli Academic Boycott

Gideon Kreiner, et al.
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Antisemitism in disguise

Janet N. Rosenbaum
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whose responsibility

winston m forman
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Why pick on Israel?

Irving Cobden
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BMA sponsored study visit to Palestine

Colin J Green
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Baum misses the point

Robert J Shearer
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Fighting for peace: E-polls, 'scientific debate'?, Hippocrates and conflict

Michael Cohen
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What's better than a boycott?

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Re: What's better than a boycott?

Michael D Cohen
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How many Pentiums are needed to atone for Israel's carpet bombing of Lebanon

andrew Rouse
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Unexceptional suffering

David S Halpin
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Whose big lie?

Anton van der Merwe
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Professor Baum, as a Doctor: please treat the cause not the symptom

Mamdouh EL-Adl
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Professor Baum has not responded to my call to justify his exoneration of the Israeli Med Assoc.

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Prof Baum has still not provided independent evidence to justify his exoneration of the Israeli Med Assoc: does it exist?

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Re: Prof Baum has still not provided independent evidence to justify his exoneration of the Israeli Med Assoc: does it exist?

Jay Ilangaratne
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Professor Baum still not answering and handing over to IMA

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Royal Society of Medicine under attack by pro-Israel doctors

derek a summerfield
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Is freedom of opinion under attack?

Patrick Hudson
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Re: Royal Society of Medicine under attack by pro-Israel doctors

Nicholas J Naftalin
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Re: Is freedom of opinion under attack?

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Re: Is Freedom of opinion under attack?

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