Stephen Hawking's considered decision to support an academic boycott of Israeli institutions should not be derided, says a supporter of Palestinian universities
THEORETICAL physicist Stephen Hawking
must be the most recognised contemporary scientist in the world. Many
millions of people know what he looks and sounds like. And until last
month he commanded universal respect for his intellectual achievements
and strength of character against extraordinary odds.
However in recent weeks some media
columnists have been writing "Stephen Hawking, the greatest scientist in
the world...", and then going on to say how distressed, disappointed or
disgusted they are with him.
What was his crime? He withdrew from
this month's Israeli Presidential Conference. He did this in support of a
Palestinian call to boycott Israeli universities, and events closely
tied to the Israeli state, because of the country's treatment of the
Palestinians.
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