Madam, - The AUT's decision to boycott Israeli universities is racist. First, the University of Haifa has not acted against Dr Pappe. Raymond Deane (May 20th) can't back up this claim. Haifa has a policy of equality, fair procedures and freedom of expression. About a fifth of its students are Arab-Israelis.
Second, Israel is not apartheid South Africa. It is a democracy that treats all its citizens, including Arab-Israelis, equally. There, anyone can criticise the state and demand justice before independent courts - something no one has a right to do in any Arab or Muslim state, or in the Palestinian Authority.
Third, the boycott discriminates against the Jewish national homeland while ignoring the many dictatorial regimes (e.g. Syria) that violate human rights. It tries to deny Israel the right to defend its citizens' most basic human right - the right to life - against barbaric terrorism. The anti-Semitic motive behind this double standard is to delegitimise the Jewish national homeland.
Fourth, the boycotters ignore Israel's willingness to negotiate a final peace with Palestinians under UN Security Council resolution 242, and Israel's intended withdrawal from Gaza and four West Bank settlements.
Fifth, the boycott flies in the face of anti-discrimination law, academic freedom, and contract law.
The last time academics boycotted Jews was in Germany in 1930s and 1940s. I fear that the sound of the hob-nailed hate behind this boycott is the sound of Kristallnacht in academia. - Yours, etc,
TOM COONEY, C/o Faculty of Law, University College Dublin, Dublin 4.