Neta Shlezinger

I strongly support a ceasefire and a return of the hostages. I also support disclosure and am open to divestment. But I absolutely don’t support calls from protestors to have universities cut off relationships with Israeli academics. I don’t think any academics in any country should be professionally sanctioned or isolated on the basis of their government. Just because we don’t like a government’s actions does not mean American academics should punish other students or academics in other countries. That feels deeply discriminatory. Many students and academics are first in line to protest or criticize their own governments, which many Israeli academics are doing at this exact moment—calling for a ceasefire, release of hostages, and new leadership. I urge more academics to stand up for one another, for your colleagues in other nations. I also don’t think we should cut off Russian academics based on Putin’s actions. Or that US academics should be punished if people don’t like our President. I also strongly support universities having campuses and exchange programs with campuses in other nations. I’ve learned an incredible amount from engaging with colleagues and students in other countries, what a tragic loss it would be for people to lose out on those opportunities. Hopefully universities will draw the line on these demands. Hopefully academics will have their back and speak up about this. I haven’t heard a single word about this from anyone on here so I felt the need to say something.