Worse than apartheid?

Lisa Taraki's article ("Confront the colluders in Israel's academy", June 23) provides a powerful argument for the academic boycott of Israel. But critics of such a boycott should consider the explosive assertion made last year by South African Minister Ronnie Kasrils (who is white, from a Jewish background and opposed the apartheid regime): "Can Israeli oppression of the Palestinians from 1948 onwards, and the dreadful occupation, now be compared to apartheid? Actually it's far, far worse."

Kasrils argues for the adoption of a similar strategy of boycotts, divestments and sanctions against Israel. Yet here is the paradox: I can bet that the majority of those who now vociferously oppose boycotts against Israel happily supported boycotts and sanctions against apartheid South Africa.

Alas, this is just another double standard in a whole history of double standards regarding Israel.

Rumy Hasan

Sussex University