The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) has thrown its support behind the organisers of Limmud Oz in their decision to disinvite Professor Bassam Dally, a well-known BDS activist. Professor Dally was scheduled to participate in a session with a member of the Australian Democratic Jewish Society.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“Limmud Oz did the right thing by making it clear that it will not give its endorsement and sponsorship to this session. The BDS movement, at its core, is anti-Semitic. As such, the organisers should be commended for rejecting anyone who seeks to use the pulpit of this event to gain a degree of legitimacy and unwarranted credibility for their misguided and dangerous cause. Freedom of speech is not the issue here. Bassam Dally is entitled to promote his disturbing, biased agenda in the marketplace of ideas as he has done so in the past. However, Limmud Oz should not be forced to lend its good name and respectable stage to speakers who subscribe to a hateful and discriminatory agenda. Bassam Dally supports a campaign that would silence and deny Israeli speakers the right to participate in Limmud Oz. Including him would have been an insult and a slap in the face to all participants and to the ideals of an open, honest exchange of ideas.
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission, founded in 1979, is Australia’s leading organization fighting racism through educational programs that combat bigotry, prejudice and all forms of hatred.
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on 03 9272 5677