Harry Potter enthusiasts are familiar with the character of the dark
wizard Lord Voldemort, whose racist attitude is not limited to physical
persecution of those who are not “pure-blooded” magical people (Harry Potter and the boycott of Israel,
theguardian.com, 29 October), but also manifest in the academic sphere.
Teachers are persecuted or fired from teaching positions at Hogwarts,
the school’s books are censored and its curriculum is rigorously
modified to toe the line of the dominating ideology.
But academic bigotry is not confined to fantasy books. In an ad published in the Guardian more than 300 UK scholars pledged to boycott Israeli academic institutions (A commitment by UK scholars to the rights of Palestinians, 27 October). Among other things, they stated that they intend to avoid acting as referees in any process involving Israeli universities, or participate in conferences organised by Israeli institutions. Since it is not institutions that write academic papers or organise conferences, but rather scholars, this is a de facto boycott of Israeli scholars.
An academic boycott of Israeli scholars and institutions amounts to inequality based on nationality, rather than merit. It is intended to serve as collective punishment of a group of researchers because of the place where they were born or where they work. It is the same as refusing to rent an apartment to someone who was born in Israel or teaches at an Israeli college. It is discrimination against Israeli researchers, breaching their fundamental rights to equality and human dignity. Coupled with the breach of the scholars’ freedom of speech and of academic freedom, this stance represents the opening of a dark silencing age.
The message of the Harry Potter books is that we must put an end to bigotry and increase tolerance. JK Rowling does not confine these liberal views to her fantasy novels, but states them explicitly in the real world, as she recently joined an appeal to build cultural bridges with Israel, rather than boycott it. Yet, it appears that the silencing age has a halo effect. It is now spread, not only to Israeli nationals but also to those who dare express their support for their freedom of expression, including Rowling herself.
In the absence of a mending charm, that will repair the misconceptions regarding the right to equality, to freedom of speech and to human dignity, it is up to us to raise our voices against the silencing ag
But academic bigotry is not confined to fantasy books. In an ad published in the Guardian more than 300 UK scholars pledged to boycott Israeli academic institutions (A commitment by UK scholars to the rights of Palestinians, 27 October). Among other things, they stated that they intend to avoid acting as referees in any process involving Israeli universities, or participate in conferences organised by Israeli institutions. Since it is not institutions that write academic papers or organise conferences, but rather scholars, this is a de facto boycott of Israeli scholars.
An academic boycott of Israeli scholars and institutions amounts to inequality based on nationality, rather than merit. It is intended to serve as collective punishment of a group of researchers because of the place where they were born or where they work. It is the same as refusing to rent an apartment to someone who was born in Israel or teaches at an Israeli college. It is discrimination against Israeli researchers, breaching their fundamental rights to equality and human dignity. Coupled with the breach of the scholars’ freedom of speech and of academic freedom, this stance represents the opening of a dark silencing age.
The message of the Harry Potter books is that we must put an end to bigotry and increase tolerance. JK Rowling does not confine these liberal views to her fantasy novels, but states them explicitly in the real world, as she recently joined an appeal to build cultural bridges with Israel, rather than boycott it. Yet, it appears that the silencing age has a halo effect. It is now spread, not only to Israeli nationals but also to those who dare express their support for their freedom of expression, including Rowling herself.
In the absence of a mending charm, that will repair the misconceptions regarding the right to equality, to freedom of speech and to human dignity, it is up to us to raise our voices against the silencing ag
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