Israeli Professor Faces Dismissal for Publically Supporting Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Against Israel

Neve Gordon, an Israeli professor and peace activist faces possible dismissal after writing in an op-ed in the LA Times that the question that keeps him up at night as an Israeli citizen and parent was how he can ensure that his children and the children of his Palestinian neighbors do not grow up in an apartheid regime. He painfully concludes massive international pressure in the form of Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions are the only way. Naomi Klein who has endorsed Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions has said that these forms of economic pressure in terms of ending the Israeli occupation are “the most effective tools in the nonviolent arsenal”

The response to his op-ed was frightening. Professor. Rivka Carmi who is the president of Ben Gurion University where Neve Gordon works according to the Jerusalem Post said the “university may no longer be interested in his services.” She added, “Academics who feel this way about their country, are welcome to search for a personal and professional home elsewhere.”

Several right wing members of the Israeli parliament have demanded Carmi and the minister of education dismiss Neve Gordon from his university position. The education minister said of his op-ed that it was “repugnant and deplorable” Hundreds of Israelis who read Neve Gordon's op-ed called him a traitor, a virus and cancerous. They have also demanded that he be expelled from Israel. Some have even called for him to be put to death.

Neve Gordon has said, “From the responses to the article it seems most people don't have the courage to discuss the main issues: Is Israel an apartheid state? How can the Israeli-Palestinian conflict be resolved? Is the settlement project good for Israel or will it cause the state's destruction? It's easy to criticize me while evading the tough and important questions.”

Jewish Voice for Peace is requesting international support for Neve Gordon. They are requesting that he be able to talk about legitimate tactics such as Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions to end the Israeli occupation without fear of job loss or threats to personal safety. Non-violent tactics such as these which were so effective in ending apartheid in South Africa should not be left out of the public discourse. Also, people like him who are willing to speak out and consider all tactics no matter how unpopular need to be heard. If anything, to encourage others who want the Israeli occupation to end to speak out.

Jewish Voice for Peace has designed a petition that they will send to the university he teaches at. There is a link to this petition provided. Jewish Voice for Peace provides other suggestions.