Israel Matzav

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Fear of the BDS'ers spreads in England

The Jewish Music Institute (JMI) at the University Of London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) has refused to accept a donation from the Government of Israel for its Jewish Music Festival, in the hope of avoiding protests by supporters of the BDS movement. Members of JMI's Board of Trustees - who were not consulted - are appalled.

A trustee of the Jewish Music Institute has expressed his anger and frustration that the organisation turned down Israeli funding for a conference under pressure from boycotters.

David Mencer, a former director of the Labour Friends of Israel, attacked the "appalling lack of judgment and moral character in [the JMI's] distancing itself from Israel."

He said the trustees had not been consulted by JMI director Geraldine Auerbach over the decision. Mr Mencer said he believed the organization had "submitted to blackmail and given the Israel boycotters and Israel haters an unnecessary victory.

"JMI have refused to accept a donation from the representatives of the democratically elected government of the State of Israel for an event about the music of Israel.

"We have made it even more difficult for other organisations trying hard to promote UK - Israel ties by setting this precedent.

"I am sure that I am not alone in wanting to distance myself from this decision. Perhaps most importantly of all, this decision will also have mortally damaged any future attempt to fundraise from the Jewish community, thus jeopardising the future of the organisation."

Ms Auerbach said: "This was a decision we reached independently and has no bearing on any future decision we might take over funding from Israel. That will be decided depending on the circumstances."

It sounds to me like Ms. Auerbach is having a little trouble deciding which side she is supposed to be on. Perhaps a boycott of the festival by London's Jewish community will help her to decide.

Labels: BDS, Jewish Music Institute, University of London

Monday, March 21, 2011

Pro-Israel activist gets bitten

A pro-Israel activist at London's School of Oriental and African Studies was bitten on his cheek on Sunday by a pro-'Palestinian' protester at the school.

But suddenly, Mr Coren said, the atmosphere turned hostile. "About
four or five people were standing around Gili, Ro'i Goldman, and the fourth
member of our group, Dean Gold. One man began to say some extremely unpleasant things about Jews. He said that the best thing the Jews had ever done was to go into the gas chambers. Dean asked if he could film him. The man said yes, adding that 'these things should be heard.'"

Another man then came forward and told the abusive man that he did not have to be filmed or interviewed. Despite the abusive man agreeing to be filmed, Mr Coren said, the second man, who was "big and burly and of Middle East appearance," allegedly launched himself at Dean, grabbing at his camera, punching him and then biting him on the cheek."

"There was a struggle and the university security guards came out. A number of other people then began to say we shouldn't be there. The president of the union came out and said we had made our point. A policeman strongly advised us to leave."

Ro'i Goldman, who plans to study in the UK next year, said he was very shocked by the experience. But Tony Coren said he was not shocked, but was angry that the university authorities had indicated that by their very presence, the Stand With Us
protesters had possibly provoked the attack.

Animals.

Labels: Pro-Palestinian protesters, StandWithUs, University of London