26 March 2019
Dear Supporter of Academic Freedom,
The University of Cape Town (UCT)’s Council will be voting this Saturday, 30 March 2019 on implementing an Academic Boycott of Israeli universities at UCT.
We ask for your urgent assistance in taking a stand against this dangerous attempt to attack Israel and undermine academic freedom at UCT. The consequences of the decision will be important for UCT, South Africa and Israel’s supporters globally.
As you are well aware, an academic boycott against Israel, the only country in the Middle East with free higher education institutions and remarkable inclusion of minority groups at its Universities, will contribute nothing towards peace and only damage UCT’s reputation as the leading University of Africa. It is imperative that UCT maintains its international standing, its relationships with all international universities, and the ability for UCT students and academics to freely engage their academic studies without restriction.
Over the past 2 years, there has been a concerted campaign at UCT to pressurise the university to impose an academic boycott against Israeli universities. Despite the fact that the Senate comprehensively rejected an academic boycott motion in November 2018, it was reintroduced in an amended format last week (March 2019) and the Senate passed it with a 62-43 margin (10 abstentions). The resolution is now being taken to Council this week, and we look to you for your assistance in opposing it.
ACTION NEEDED:
1. If you are a UCT alum, please kindly share certain information with us via this Google Form: https://forms.gle/oSiEghxKp7KUaPkB7
An alumni representative will present all the signatures of alumni on the petition to the Council before the vote. (Your information will not be shared for any other purpose).
2. Please share this excellent article by Progress SA to supporters of academic freedom at UCT, across your social media platforms.
3. Please share this petition far and wide.
Thank you for your support on this issue.
Yours Sincerely
Ben Swartz: National Chairman – South African Zionist Federation
Rowan Polovin: Chairman – South African Zionist Federation – Cape Council