It is fully confirmed that Professor Stephen Hawking pulled out of a conference in Israel later this month in solidarity with the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions.
This confirmation comes after erroneous claims today that Hawking had pulled out for “health” reasons. Here’s what happened. Here’s the full story.
When The Guardian reported early today that world renowned physicist Stephen Hawking had pulled out of a conference in Israel later this month, it made headlines around the world.
Hawking’s decision was first announced yesterday by BRICUP, the UK campaign for the academic boycott of Israel.
Given his stature this was as much a victory for the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement as it was a major blow to Israeli prestige and propaganda, especially since the conference in question is hosted by Israeli President Shimon Peres.
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"Cambridge reconfirms Hawking’s boycott
ReplyDeleteFinally, the anti-Palestinian website CIF Watch says it has received an email from Holt retracting the claim that Hawking had pulled out for health reasons and confirming that Hawking had sent the letter quoted by PSC."
Delete“We have now received confirmation from Professor Hawking’s office that a letter was sent on Friday to the Israeli President’s office regarding his decision not to attend the Presidential Conference, based on advice from Palestinian academics that he should respect the boycott.
“We had understood previously that his decision was based purely on health grounds having been advised by doctors not to fly.”