Divisions over boycott 4

Open Letter to the women's study programme at Bir-Zeit University, Palestine

The Israeli Association for Feminist and Gender Studies stands in solidarity with our fellow teachers and students at the women's study programme at Bir-Zeit University.

As a result of wars, occupation and terrorism, there is a breakdown in the basic values of humanity and human rights, including academic freedoms, in our region.

Women bear a heavy share of the suffering caused by the inability of the leadership and the electorate on both sides to promote a peaceful solution to the conflict between the two peoples - Israeli and Palestinian - with the creation of two states side by side in peaceful coexistence.

In this situation, it is absolutely imperative to maintain the highest possible level of education and intellectual leadership for the next generation of both peoples. It is unconscionable and short-sighted to frustrate the access to education at all levels by deprivation of funds.

We protest the withholding of funds earmarked for education in Palestine by Israel and the failure of Israel to provide educational opportunity and academic freedom in all areas for which it remains responsible directly or indirectly, even as we deplore the unfair boycotting of Israel's academic institutions by foreign organisations.

Frances Raday and the board
Israeli Association for Feminist and Gender Studies