Madam, - Conor McCarthy is indeed right to question the legitimacy of linking a proposed academic boycott of Israel with anti-Semitism (February 20th). It is a term I use very sparingly even when people's motives are demonstrably anti-Jewish, and I urge all those who support Israel and promote the Zionist ideal not to muddy the waters by confusing anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism. It just gives enemies of Israel a convenient argument to hide behind.
However, after berating those who call the boycott a form of anti-Semitism, Mr McCarthy's logic and reason seem to desert him. How can he possibly claim that an academic boycott of Israel is not intended to be isolationist? That is exactly what it is aiming to be.
I would argue strongly against an academic boycott for many reasons, not least because I share that view with none other than Sari Nusseibeh, the president of Al Quds University in East Jerusalem, who has spoken out strongly against this tactic. My other reason for opposing it is that those doing the boycotting are likely to come off worse that those boycotted.
Israel has given so much to the world in medical and technical advancement from which many of those calling for a boycott currently benefit from. Do they want to give up their mobile phones, their computers, many life-saving medications? And do they really want to boycott Israeli research that is on the verge of breakthroughs on many of the world's most damaging diseases, including Aids, cancer, Alzheimers and diabetes? For if you boycott you need to be consistent. You can't cherry-pick.
An example of the stupidity of boycotts is the attempt to damage the distribution of Israeli flowers. Among the people who will lose out if that is successful will be many Palestinian agricultural workers. What is the sense in that?
As for the charge of anti-Semitism, the only thing I would ask is for the would-be boycotters to examine their consciences and answer why they have never called for boycotts against the many countries with far worse human rights abuses than those allegedly committed by the Jewish state.
Also it is interesting that we never heard calls for boycotts when the Palestinians were systematically thrown out of Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt and other Arab countries? Could people not be forgiven for coming to the conclusion that it is only when Jews are involved that loud criticism is heard? Maybe that is why people could be excused for mistaking anti-Israel action with anti-Semitism. - Yours, etc,
JOY WOLFE,
Cheadle,
Cheshire,
England.
Madam, - I wonder what Andreas Hess's next suggestion will be if the plug isn't pulled on Aosdána (February 19th) in order to stop members debating a cultural ban on Israel next month. Round us all up for internment, impose travel restrictions, or perhaps place us all under house arrest? - Yours, etc,
JIMMY MURPHY,
(Aosdána member),
Naas Road,
Dublin 12.