In a referendum on Thursday, Sussex students voted by 560 to 460 votes to Boycott Israeli Goods.The Zionists were active on the campus and their stunts included erecting a bridge on the main square! It was meant to symbolise a bridge to peace, whereas it was more a lifeline to the occupation authorities!
Sussex University has historically been a university which has been pro-Palestinian. In 1982, in the wake of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon I spoke at a Union General Meeting. Having tried to ban me without success (led by their Treasurer, Geoff Samuel, who was later subject uniquely of a no confidence motion by students!) the Zionist speaker was from ‘Peace Now’ whose purpose was to suggest that Israel was a ‘democratic’ country because it had set up an Inquiry into the Sabra and Chatilla massacres which had laid the blame at Ariel Sharon, then Defence Minister’s door. He later became Prime Minister instead!
The UGM went on to pass, by a 2/3 majority, a motion calling for a Democratic, Secular State in Palestine and the Right of Return. Having failed to prevent a Jewish anti-Zionist speaking, Samuel later claimed that Jewish students ‘felt intimidated’!
What is remarkable about the decision of Sussex students is that it wasn’t taken in a small meeting of the union but in a cross-campus ballot which usually favours the right-wing. In this instance it merely confirmed the repugnance of Sussex students for Apartheid – Zionist style.
Earlier this year, Sussex Students occupied a lecture theatre on campus in protest at the invasion of Gaza.
Sussex Students’ Union has become the first in the UK to boycott Israeli goods,
Sussex Students’ Union has become the first in the UK to boycott Israeli goods,
FOLLOWING a landmark referendum, students at Sussex University have voted to boycott Israeli goods. The decision will become part of the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign, which calls upon Israel to respect international law and end the occupation of Palestine.
The referendum received messages of support and thanks from Jewish and Israeli academics and non-governmental organizations that oppose Israel’s policy of occupation in Palestine. Author and scholar Norman G. Finkelstein described the referendum result as ‘a victory, not for Palestinians but for truth and justice’.
Iyad Burnat- Head of Popular Commitee and-co-founder of Friends of Freedom and Justice Bil`in -Palestine:
'The committee really appreciates Sussex Students` Union remarkable idea of starting a boycott on Israeli goods. We hope even more people all around the world will follow their example so that we can put an end to the Israeli occupation and dismantle the apartheid wall.'Any questions or requests please contact Martha Baker on 07595 700717 or Bushra Khalidi on 07964 923753----or bel3in@yahoo.comThank you for you continued support,
Iyad Burnat - Head of Popular Commitee in Bilinco-founder of Friends of Freedom and Justice - BilinEmail- bel3in@yahoo.comMobile- (00972) (0) 547847942Office- (00972) (2) 2489129Mobile- (00972) (0) 598403676
www.bilin-ffj.orggm
Does the ban include Israeli books and films? If so, what about all the books and films that speak out against the Israeli government. Seems self defeating to me.
ReplyDeleteNo the ban does not include Israelis who are supportive of the Palestinians or anti-Zionist. It mainly relates to commercial merchandise on which the Israeli government belongs.
ReplyDeleteThe Cultural Boycott has always acknowledged that the mistakes made in the time of South African Apartheid and Boycott should not be repeated in the case of Israeli Apartheid.