Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi

 

An article by Professor Abdul Mohsen Hilal in Okaz newspaper deals with a statement issued by more than 400 prominent university professors who are specialized in anthropology and are associated with world-class American universities. In the statement, these well-known academics blasted the gross human rights violations being committed by Israel against the Palestinians. They demanded that Israel end the occupation and leave the occupied Palestinian territories at once. They also called for guaranteeing the return of Palestinian refugees to their homeland, as well as granting full rights to all Arab citizens living in Israel.



Prof. Hilal noted that this is not the first statement issued against unjust Israeli practices. There have in fact been several statements issued by eminent academics in Europe and the rest of the world. This shows the rising tide of the movement to boycott Israeli academic organizations and institutions in protest against the country’s blatant human rights violations in the occupied territories.



The following are some excerpts from the statement: “We, in our capacity as academics who study problems such as power, oppression and cultural hegemony, do have the moral responsibility to consider Israel responsible for the crimes (being committed against the Palestinians). This is what prompted us to show solidarity with the Palestinian civilian society to continue their struggle of resistance against colonialism and in defense of their human rights…”



The signatories vowed in their statement not to extend cooperation to any projects or activities involving Israeli academic institutions or give lectures or attend academic conferences in Israel. They also will not publish any articles or research papers in academic journals based in Israel unless the organizations publishing these journals stop assisting the Israeli authorities in their gross violations of human rights as listed in international law. The academics concluded their statement by blaming Israel for putting the Gaza Strip under unlawful blockade for the last seven years, and for imposing inflexible control over the movement of people and goods to and from Gaza and the outside world. They also slammed Israel for driving Palestinians out of their land in the West Bank, denying them a means of livelihood, and depriving them of their freedom of movement, of securing education and the like.



Prof. Hilal concluded his article with the hope that the statement of the American academics would enlighten all people, whether they are American Zionists or Europeans or Arabs, so that they will react strongly against the injustice being meted out to the Palestinian people by Israel, especially the recent brutal aggression on the unarmed civilians of Gaza. These academics have demonstrated that taking a strong position against injustice and supporting the oppressed is a basic principle of humanity. Apart from this, the statement has the potential of shaking the Zionist

entity and blurring its attempt to save face in the global community.



These academics are not ready to accept the injustice committed by Israel in its recent inhuman aggression on the people of Gaza. They stood firmly against Israeli injustice by supporting and showing solidarity with oppressed Palestinians. It is also evident from the strong position taken by a large number of American academics that they are determined to sacrifice their personal interests for the sake of upholding their values and principles.



It is regrettable that there were some cowardly Arabs who were jubilant over the Israeli aggression on the people of Gaza. These people blamed the Gazans for their struggle of resistance even though it was for their own self-defense. This resistance inflicted unexpected losses on the enemy. It also dealt a blow to Israel, which had downplayed the endurance of the Palestinian resistance as well as its gains in terms of growing sympathy and solidarity from freedom-loving people and rights activists around the world.



I think that Arab and Muslim academics must interact with these noble university professors, thank them for their commendable positions and lend them a hand of cooperation. They have to ensure the participation of these academics in activities and programs, including conferences and seminars, organized by  Arab and Muslim universities. These academics should not be abandoned and be allowed to become the easy prey of vicious Zionist lobbyists and organizations, who oppose those who support truth and justice.



The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) must also establish rapport and interaction with these eminent figures and invite them to attend conferences and seminars aimed at exposing the crimes being perpetrated by Israel against unarmed Palestinian civilians as well as against the Palestinian territories by the construction of Jewish settlements, especially in Jerusalem, the third holy city in Islam, where Al-Aqsa Mosque, the first qiblah of Muslims, is situated. Israeli occupation forces have embarked on a policy of Judaizing Jerusalem by driving out of its original Palestinian inhabitants and bringing in settlers to occupy newly constructed housing units in defiance of international laws and conventions that prohibit changing the demographic structure of any occupied land.  

 

— Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi is a former Saudi diplomat who specializes in Southeast Asian affairs. He can be reached at algham@hotmail.com