We are not racists

Steven Weinberg equates criticising Israel with anti-Semitism or, since Palestinians are also Semites, anti-Jewishness (Letters, May 25). The syllogism that because anti-Jewish racists criticise Israel critics must be anti-Jewish is false and deeply offensive to people like me who criticise Israel but have always opposed racism and other forms of discrimination.

One might have expected him to support, not impede, the free association of scientists and exchange of ideas, and in particular to show solidarity with those opposed to boycotts, as I am. Instead, he boycotts to protest against boycotts: brilliant.

Malcolm MacCallum
Queen Mary, University of London