UPDATE: Test case for European anti-Semitism as top Norwegian university prepares to vote on becoming first in Europe to boycott Israel
(This update alerts readers to a major petition against the boycott campaign signed by four Nobel Laureates and more than 850 other academics as well as to comments below this entry from academics opposing the boycott)
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Norway’s University of Trondheim could become the first European university to adopt a formal academic boycott of Israel if a vote by the university’s board on November 12 goes through. The situation is particularly worrying because the rector of the university, Torbjorn Digernes, is (according to some reports) behind the campaign for a boycott himself or at least has been giving a nod of approval to those that are.*
The university, better known as NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology), is Norway’s second largest university. Four Nobel Laureates have endorsed a petition (see link below) against the proposed boycott. The petition has been organised by Scholars for Peace in the Middle East. There were 863 signatures at the time of writing this updated entry. The petition’s organisers are hoping for 5,000. I would therefore encourage as many readers as possible to implore friends and colleagues in academia to stand up and be counted at this time.
The Nobel Laureates are: Kenneth J. Arrow, Economics, Stanford University; Roald Hoffmann, Chemistry, Cornell University; Steven Weinberg, Physics, University of Texas; Claude Cohen-Tannoudji, Physics, Ecole Normale Superieure.
The vote is emerging as a test case of how anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist bigotry is being confronted by anti-racism groups and their sympathisers in Europe. If the boycott proposal is accepted it could set a precedent all across the continent and reignite the academic boycott campaign in Britain in particular.
Dr. Shimon Samuels of the Simon Wiesenthal Center wrote last week to Norwegian Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg saying:
“The virus of antisemitism in Norway’s media, unions, NGOs and even government circles is now infecting academia. NTNU has deformed free and open scholarly discourse based upon mutual respect into a campaign of hate propaganda, led by masters of disinformation who exploit their academic credentials to call for a boycott of their colleagues who happen to be Israeli.”
The Wiesenthal Center’s website elaborated on the details of the letter adding:
“Samuels pointed to Norway’s ‘obligations, as a State Party to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), to combat all forms of antisemitism under the Berlin Declaration of 2004 – a document which includes the singling out of Israel as a contributing factor to the scourge of Jew-hatred.’”
If the move goes through it is crucial that swift action is taken against the university. In the rest of Europe and also in the United States, students, academics, faculties, funders, university boards and research institutes should be lobbied to ensure that Trondheim itself becomes the subject of a crippling boycott.
* NB: The exact position of the rector of the university is difficult to work out. A reader of this site has informed me that he was quoted in a Norwegian newspaper, Dagbladet, on October 4 as saying that dialogue rather than boycotts are the way to go. On the other hand he has openly supported a recent seminar series involving extreme opponents of Israel who are themselves supporting the boycott campaign. The seminar series at the university provides the immediate backdrop for the boycott campaign. It is up to the rector to clarify his position.
Since details of the case are scant in the English speaking media I would like to ask readers of this website to send me further information. I am aware that there are readers in Norway itself, and any further details that they could provide would be particularly welcome. Either leave comments below or contact me by email.
To read the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s take on the matter, click here:
http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/apps/s/content.asp?c=lsKWLbPJLnF&b=4442915&ct=7610977
Academics wishing to sign the above mentioned petition should click here:
http://www.spme.net/cgi-bin/display_petitions.cgi?ID=19&Action=Sign
To see the list of academics who have already signed, click here:
http://www.spme.net/cgi-bin/display_petitions.cgi?ID=19&Action=View
To purchase a copy of my recently published book — A State Beyond the Pale: Europe’s Problem with Israel — on the broader issues surrounding this subject click here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/State-Beyond-Pale-Europes-Problem/dp/0297856642/ref=pd_sim_b_1
November 1st, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Sometimes the educated are some of the dumbest people you will ever come across!
Mailman
November 1st, 2009 at 9:54 pm
http://www.spme.net/cgi-bin/facultyforum.cgi?ID=2351
Academics can sign the SPME Petition through this link
The following Nobel Laureates have signed:
Kenneth J. Arrow - Economics- Stanford University
Roald Hoffmann - Chemistry - Cornell University
Steven Weinberg - Physics - University of Texas
Claude Cohen-Tannoudji - Physics - Ecole Normale Superieure
November 1st, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Trondheim University will be a disgrace to Academe if it adopts an academic boycott of Israel. Many Israelis are the sons and daughters of Jews who survived the Holocaust. Evidently that fact has escaped the notice of the faculty at Trondheim who have proposed this boycott.
November 1st, 2009 at 10:26 pm
I suggest that all honest scientists, non-antisemites boycott Norway’s University of Trondheim
November 1st, 2009 at 11:02 pm
To the Director of the University of Trondheim,
I am appalled by this breach of academic freedom and the descentinto vicious anti semitism that the boycott of Israeli scholars in Norway’s Trondheim University demonstrates. First, this attempted boycott violates the long honored academic code that scholars and scholarship are to be evaluated by intellectual rather than political criteria. How ironic that this western University is succumbing to arbitrary curtailment of free speech and the free distribution and discussion of information when this behavior echoes precisely that kind of totalitarianism around the world, most in Arab/Muslim countries. Where are your protests against suicide bombings of innocent civilians, the shooting by state security forces against civilian protestors , if the violation of civil/human rights is your true concern? Second,the shallow , biased interpretation of “war crimes” is unworthy of the intellectual power that the faculty and administration of a university presumably attracts and cultivates. At best,the the university authorities must have a very limited, willfully blind understanding the origin of the Arab Israeli conflict and the historical causes of the suffering of the Palestinians. At worst, they are in flagrant violation of the ethics of justice, which accords all nations the same right to defend themselves and decide whether treaties with any other nation is viable as a result of a cowardly capitulation to Arab/ Muslim pressure.How demeaning to the entire academic enterprise. Emilie S. Passow, Ph.D. Assoicate Professor, Drexel University
November 1st, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Norway, like turkey, has turned hostile to Israel. Both countries should be treated in the same way as they treat Israel.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:17 am
It seems that we have not learnt from history and are doomed to make the same mistakes that have disgraced the Human Race in centuries gone by. I fear for the future of our children and grandchildren to know that we are living in an era where people still make bigotted decisions based on ignorance and/or partial truths.
The universities which are meant to be a beacon of light for the future seem to be the toxins that put out the light of truth.
Norway should look back and remember how they behaved in WWII, and they weren’t even threatened like Israel is today. This University should look in the mirror before judging falsely a country whose people are trying their best to retain their Humanity with their neighbours even after they have endured so much for so long.
It is disgraceful and only those that are uninformed about the total truths can try to Boycott a country like Israel. Is it jealousy????
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:57 am
I can think of few anti-democratic actions than the one Trondheim University has taken by voting to boycott Israeli academics.
It is a completely hostile act and seems to result from fear of unnamed sources.
Trondheim U should reconsider, apologize, and act in good faith to encourage democratic actions taken in the name of the University.
In deepest concern,
L Rappaport
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:32 am
It’s a sorry note that the grandchildren of Norwegian resistance fighters who so bravely stood against the Nazis will now join forces with the inheritors of Hitler’s Antisemitism, Fatah and Hamas.
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:22 am
A dark cloud is hovering over Europe, simmering from Norway’s Trondheim University furnaces. Travesty of Truth, Bigotry, Anti-Semitism, all veiled as concern about the poor Palestinians - no concern really - pure unconditional old-style hatred of my people, and a flap in the face of most of my people who seek a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Shame on you, Trondheim !
Prof. Moshe Nazarathy
Technion, Israel Institute of Technology
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:56 am
I do not agree with boycotting any academics. I agree one should make clear the disproval with respect to israeli politics and military actions versus Palestinians. University of Studies in its original meaning is intended not to exclude any scholars. However I am firmly against the usual attitude of Israeli supporters to boycott as Anti-Semitism any criticism which point out that many acts of the government of Israel are against mankind and against any reasonable solution of the conflict.
Criticisms and opposition have nothing to do with Anti-Semitism and the government of Israel should consider them very carefully and understand that they cannot be overthrown just with anti-arabs propaganda. Mounting Anti-Semitism ( as all ethnical disriminations ) is a real menace all over the world, but in other circumstances. To attack it successfully and to break the wall of the spread out compliancy, it is important not to make any confusion between the aggressions in Germany or Italy ( to give examples ) to jewish unarmed people and belongings and the disproval of the politics of Israel when it does not exclude crimes.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:08 am
The comments cited above cover all my sentiments. Norway was salavaged from the rigours of Nazi domination by allied forces in WW2. It is obvious that what Norway has learned from it’s history…is nothing. Norway’s boycott will be Norways loss.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:45 am
By all means boycott & prosecute the Israeli’s but only if the same standards are applied to other countries “more deserving”, though unlikely given that many member states of the UN are biased.
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:19 pm
It is truly a disgrace that any University in today’s modern enlightened world should support an Academic Boycott against any nationality. Especially though from Israel - a tiny country which has given the world so much despite living under constant attack for the past 61 years since its very Birth as a Nation. Supporting terror groups and the evil they stand for will not bring peace to the world. On the contrary it is giving them the green light to continue their violence globally, thereby terrorising the entire world not just the State of Israel. Israel has the right to defend herself just as every other nation. The difficulty lies in the fact that the enemy are terrorists who hide among the civilian population.
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:06 pm
If Israel had oil, the story would be so different! And why does this
well-informed university not talk about the Hamas rockets against
Israel, is this a tolerable situation? Why should Hamas be excused for doing harm to others,for sending rockets indiscrimantely against civilians, What would the honorable professors do, if they were attacked,if their children and families would have to hide in bunkers and see the fear in their eyes? Would they sit back and just feel sorry for the attackers?
Yet giving in to pressures from Arab sources against Israel is something we have wittnessed before,in Germany, about 70 years ago. Again, anti-semitism rises its ugly head,disguised as “objective” anti-zionism.
Since your country is rich in oil, and independent from this point of
view,I wonder what the reasons are which made you adopt your militant
anti-Israel policy. It is a shame that an academic institution is being instrumentalised by certain political circles.
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:47 pm
What are the specific goals of the boycott? What would Israel have to do in order to reverse it?
November 2nd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
This academic boycott needs to be seen in context: inability by Norwegians to compete against Jewish minds and intellect.Even Neils Bohr, Norway’s single claim to fame was a Jew.
So too did the nazis remove Jews from the halls of education in Germany and Austria; the Russians limited Jewish academics in the Soviet Union; Poland denied Jews university entrance. Anyone notice any brillance from those Austrian strudel bakers, Polish kielbasa makers and the like recently? Since the creation of Jarlsberg cheese what has Norway given the world? Skiers? Yes, that will contribute much to the betterment of humankind!
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Norway - whose politicians gave Obama the Nobel Peace Prize and which produced the traitor Quisling
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:13 pm
I`m so ashamed beeing a norwegian. Reading about the boycot from the university of Trondheim make me stongly belive that it is important to stand up for Israel by telling true stories and never stop passing right informations to media. We maybe few, but we are strong and belive that every word matters.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:27 am
When Germany’s most famous university, Gottigen, was cleansed of its Jews, Hitler enquired “how is mathematics at Gottingen, now that the Jews have gone?” The unequivocal response came back, “there is no more mathematics at Gottingen”.
I think that far more effective than anti-boycott petitions, would be an insistence that the boycotts are comprehensive, and not of the pick and choose variety.
In other words, the boycotters should be exposed to ridicule for using, employing or benefitting from ANY invention, innovation or advance made or produced in Israel.
To start with, they should boycott computers, mobile phones, numerous medical innovations, medicinal therapies, etc etc.
They will soon find themselves living in the dark ages.
It would be the best way of exposing their bigotry and racist agenda.
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:49 am
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1256799072277&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Jerusalem Post today on Robin Shepherd
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:23 pm
In view of the fact that Israel is among the top rate Democratic Technologically advanced nations, whereas Norway - to say the least is merely mediocre - I fail to see just what it is that Norway would gain from such a boycott.!!!!
Israel would cetainly not lose out.
My first employer had no time for Universities. He described them as’Institutions that produce EDUCATED IDIOTS.
I now appriciate his point of view.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:40 pm
A brief response to Arturo Tagliacozzo, Associate Professor of “Low Temperature Physics” at the University of Napoli “Federico II”
“I agree one should make clear the disproval with respect to israeli politics and military actions versus Palestinians.”
Making clear one’s disapproval without acknowledging the political and historical context of Israel’s actions and condemning the genocidal aims of such groups as Islamic Jihad, Hamas and Hezbollah is nothing but bigotry of the very worst sort.
“However I am firmly against the usual attitude of Israeli supporters to boycott as Anti-Semitism any criticism which point out that many acts of the government of Israel are against mankind and against any reasonable solution of the conflict.”
1) This is an outrageous lie employed by those who hate Israel and have very little love for the Jewish people. Such a lie enables those who spread anti-Semitism whilst hiding under the cover of anti-Zionism and “criticism” of Israel to do so with impunity. Israel is subjected to more criticism than any other nation on earth and much of it comes from ardent Zionists. Relatively little of that criticism earns the label “anti-Semitic”. On the other hand, there is much “criticism” of Israel, especially that which emanates from Europe, that is blatantly anti-Semitic. Thus, whe have the kind of “criticism” that holds Israel to a different and much higher standard than the rest of the world. Then there are those who suggest that Israel does have the right of defence, but then object to every single action Israel takes to defend her citizens. Then there are the familiar anti-Semitic themes (Jews are child killers, Jews steal human organs, Jews control the world, etc.) employed by those who attack Israel. Of course, there are the many anti-Zionists who suggest that Israel alone amongst the nations of the world has no right to exist, and if that’s not anti-Semitism, then nothing is (Incidentally, have you ever heard anyone ever suggest that Italy has no right to exist despite her terrible history of anti-Semitism, fascism, and open and willing collaboration in the worst genocide in history?). Then there are those who wish to boycott Jews and Jewish institutions and only Jews and Jewish institutions. And let us not forget those who compare Jews to Nazis.
2) To suggest that Israel’s acts of defence are against “mankind” is an act of naked demonisation that demonstrates clearly the kind of individual you really are. To imply that only Israel is responsible for this sad state of affairs compounds your guilt.
“Criticisms and opposition have nothing to do with Anti-Semitism”
As I demonstrate above, this is a scurrilous lie.
“it is important not to make any confusion between the aggressions in Germany or Italy ( to give examples ) to jewish unarmed people and belongings and the disproval of the politics of Israel when it does not exclude crimes.”
How many times do you have to regurgitate this abject nonsense? There is in fact much in common between those who rage against Israel and the many millions of Germans and Italians who supported the genocide of the Jewish people in the 1930s and 1940s. Once again, please see my arguments above if you are really are in any doubt. In addition, of course, there is the simple fact that not only are the arguments used by many “critics” of Israel anti-Semitic in their very nature, it is also impossible to avoid the conlusion that they themselves are dyed-in-the-wool anti-Semites very little different from their parents and grandparents who cheered on the Holocaust. Why else would they single out Israel in this fashion? Why else the violence of their arguments? Why else the obsessional nature of their campaigns?
Finally, are you not deeply ashamed, as an Italian with your particular history, that nowhere in your rant do you object to Palestinian terrorism? On the other hand, I should thank you for once again reaffirming the belief of Zionists that no Jew will ever again be safe in Europe. Sixty years ago, you Europeans collaborated in our mass-murder and now you want the Jewish state to be stripped bare of her defences. For sure, you people love Jews but only the kind that are dead or who offer no resistance. It offends your sensibilities that Jews should fight back, and it releases you from over 60 years of guilt to compare Jews to Nazis (”See if they can do it, then we weren’t so bad after all.”) whilst pretending only to be anti-Zionists and “critics” of Israel.
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:45 pm
The persecutions and injustices in the world are so great and widespread that to single out Israel implies a simple agenda — good, old-fashioned Jew-hatred. This is outrageous, and it would be an embarrassment to any university to endorse a boycott of Israel scientists in any form.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
This is ugly and outragfeous! Honest and honorable academicians must fight and condemn this horror.
November 4th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
to Norvegian Prime Minister.
Do not be part of the ennemies of Israel. Please read again the Bible and know what G.od the Eternal Creator wants for His people and His Land.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
These anti Semites are certainly being paid by the Muslims. There is no way they can win a war against Israel, so spread the word to boycott Israel. This is disgusting to say the least. Jews and Christian supporters of Israel should boycott all Danish products
I wonder if these “educated” idiots know why or what the reason is to boycott Israel, Other that what they hear from the Muslims.
Fight every anti Semitic boycott.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Norway like Iran and now Turkey find that declaration against Israel bring sympathy from those they want to please. Bashing Israel is popular. Too bad they don’t have something more positive to help them to be more visible.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Please don´t throw stones at inicents. Distinguish the truth from organised lies. Thank you.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Please help the truth prevail. Thank you.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:53 am
I have co-operated with NTNU (sat on committees). I shall not do so in the future
Hans Hauge
November 5th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I wish you great success in all of your endeavors.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
The Nobel Peace Prize and Barack H. Obama: The Arrangement: A Hands in Gloves understanding of the implications upon acceptance.
November 6th, 2009 at 8:25 am
It is high time that the bigoted anti-Semites were not allowed to involve academic institutions in blatant anti-Israel propaganda. Per capita,and according to the number of academic institions, Israel has a proud record of advancing education for all peoples - contrast this with the record of the Moslem countries.
November 7th, 2009 at 5:02 am
I wish to be brief. Asusual, I got hyper-charged, nervous and very very agitated when I first read about this in JPost. I was not surprised the least knowing the recent anti-Israel hysteria and irrational mindlessness (sickness?) in Norway (and Sweden…). A bit later though I was thinking about whether this will cause a total embarrassment for the Norwegians and condemns them to eternal shame. Eventually, considering IL’S preeminent role in research-based studies and all this “stuff”, Norway and their unfortunate 4th rate “University” not even on any record will be the one which will lose the most. So I am rather optimistic and, why should I deny, gleeful as they are comitting harakiri “live on TV”.
November 7th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Me and my family went through the horrors of WWII and finally settled in our own independent country the State of Israel.
Frankly Trondheim, we do not need your approval or support for our survival. We do it, thanks G-d,without your help and in spite of you and the stupidity of your neighbors the Swedes and believe me we shall overcome. But it is beyond my understanding how you who produced a traitor like Quisling during WWII and suffered at the hands of the Nazis are so ignorant as to the history of the Middle East since the establishment of the State of Israel.
Instead of investing youe energies in boycotting Israel you should have been investigating as to how the Arabs and the Muslims reacted in 1948 as soon as the UN voted in favor of the establishment of Israel. Moreover, you should have carefully checked into the record as to the behavior of these Arab and Muslim leadership towards their own people,all over the Arab countries, to the present day.
These wonderful Arabs and Muslims are presently overuning Norway and Sweden and I guarantee you that very soon you will understand what’s happenning to you and you will wake up from your dreams but this is going to be too late because nothing is going to save you from sinking into the oblivion of history. Your countries are going to become Muslim countries, not for the better but for the WORSE and your cultures and traditions are going to simply DISAPPEAR.
You know something, some peoples and countries learn the realities of life THE HARD WAY and tha’s what is going to happen to you within the coming 20 years. And if you don’t nelieve me ask Mr. Hirt Wilders, the Dutchman who really knows what’s going on in your part of the world. So frankly Trondheim we just don’t give a damn on you or your boycot. We shall see you soon licking your wounds.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Large amounts of information on this subject, in English, can be found on the site Norway, Israel and the Jews.