Boycott a modest step to help Palestinian people

Academics for Palestine has secured the signatures of more than 250 Irish academics who have pledged to boycott Israeli academic institutions. This peaceful, voluntary action is part of the international BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) movement, which has answered the call from hundreds of Palestinian organisations to help pressure Israel to end its oppression and occupation in Palestine.

We share Dr Kevin McCarthy’s dismay (Letters, January 13) at Trinity College Dublin’s inquiry into its staff’s “formal and informal arrangements ... with universities, research institutions, NGOs and government bodies in Israel and Palestine”.

But far from being a capitulation, as he suggests, to “insidious BDS”, Trinity’s audit of academic links with “both sides” of an illegal occupation appears to be in pursuit of “balance”.

Trinity College has been the subject of negative attention nationally and internationally since its research collaborations with the likes of Israeli drone manufacturer Elbit Systems were revealed.

Trinity is not trying to end such complicity, but instead appears to be seeking to extend its relationship with Israel, while looking to offset the damage by encouraging relations with Palestinians.

While the latter links are welcome, they are no substitute for a truly ethical research policy.

Dr McCarthy is right to suggest there are other criminal regimes in the world, but Israel benefits uniquely from special treatment by the EU, including access to EU research funding.

And Israel’s victims have asked us to take the modest but significant step of boycott.

It’s the least we can do.

Dr Ronit Lentin

Chair, Academics for Palestine and Retired TCD Associate Professor of Sociology