The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) has lauded New York University President Andrew Hamilton for rejecting calls by a graduate student union that his university to cut ties with Israel. This was in response to a vote by the Graduate Student union that NYU close its program at Tel Aviv University. The resolution also called on the union’s parent union, the United Auto Workers, to divest from Israeli companies. In a statement released by NYU Hamilton wrote: “A boycott of Israeli academics and institutions is contrary to our core principles of academic freedom, antithetical to the free exchange of ideas, and at odds with the University’s position on this matter, as well as the position of GSOC’s parent union. NYU will not be closing its academic program in Tel Aviv, and divestment from Israeli-related investments is not under consideration. And to be clear: whatever ‘pledges’ union members may or may not have taken does not free them from their responsibilities as employees of NYU, which rejects this boycott.”
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chair of The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission, issued the following statement:
“We applaud NYU and its president Andrew Hamilton for their strong and principled stance in sending the clear message that these types of divisive and counterproductive resolutions will be rejected and condemned. This proves, once again, that BDS activists are creating a toxic environment on campuses, muzzling conversation and debate, inflaming tensions, and intimidating Jewish students. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is highly complex, and embracing cultural vandalism against Israel only aids and abets in the spreading of hatred and will not foster genuine dialogue, cooperation and reconciliation between the two parties. Such hostile and hypocritical partisanship only fans the flames of division and harms the chances of peace. We urge all other universities to follow suit and to unequivocally denounce the reprehensible tactics and objectives of the BDS movement.”
The Anti-Defamation Commission, founded in 1979, is Australia’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through educational programs that combat bigotry, prejudice and all forms of hatred.
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on (03) 9272 5677
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