IsraCampus.Org.il

I am a great believer in academic freedom, but academic freedom does not mean one has free license to defame ones own country with anti-semitic and anti-zionist propaganda as conducted by Neve Gordon, not just in his latest outburst which you have censored but for years in the past.

I agree entirely with the stance taken by the LA Jewish Federation. You and your predecessor had plenty of opportunity to impose responsible freedom of speech amongst tenured staff but you have declined to act responsibly to date. So is it surprising that your funders have no option to take things in their own hands to ensure that responsibilities instilled throughout all academic fields in your University? Mr. Gordon may well be one of the worst perpetrators but this issue does not only apply to BGU, nor solely to Israeli Universities. I have had cause to write in similar vein to UK universities in the past. Nonetheless one has to start somewhere.

Speaking for myself as a new oleh of 3 years vintage, I have stopped giving donations to Friends of Israel universities for the same reason ages ago. There are other ways open to me to ensure that those who are deserving of funding, particularly on the critical scientific research side (critical for Israel’s future) do get funding through donations but not the likes of Mr. Gordon. Of course I am saddened to have to be driven to such a solution but It is high time that University Presidents realized the level of disgust and concern the likes of Mr. Gordon’s vituperative tongue cause.

Peter Simpson
Jerusalem