Right-wing NGO Im Tirzu accuses Hebrew University of promoting BDS

The university hosted a conference that featured an organization which promotes BDS, much to the chagrin of Im Tirzu.

By SARAH LEVI
Hebrew University campus (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Hebrew University campus
(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Im Tirzu, a right-wing NGO known for campaigning against non-right-wing NGOs, protested a conference held at Hebrew University on Sunday that featured representatives from the Coalition of Women for Peace, an Israeli NGO promoting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
According to Im Tirzu, the "Coalition of Women for Peace is a radical organization that leads boycott campaigns against Israeli banks, security companies like Elbit and G4S, and was even involved in the Norwegian Government Pension Fund's decision to divest from Israel. It is absurd that an Israeli university funded by taxpayers could provide a platform to such an organization."
The conference, "Arms Trade, Saving Lives: Exporting Weapons to Areas of Conflict," was organized by Hebrew University's Truman Research Institute for Peace and focused on Israeli military exports.
Im Tirzu also noted in a statement on Tuesday that Sunday's conference featured members of Coalition of Women for Peace's "Hamushim" ("Armed") project, which, according to the Coalition, "works to expose the true human price of the Israeli military industry and arms trade, as well as to mobilize actions against it."
The project is co-sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee, a US-based organization that promotes BDS and the "right of return" for Palestinians.
Matan Peleg, Im Tirzu’s chairman said in a statement on Tuesday: "It is very unfortunate that Hebrew University opts to provide a platform for BDS organizations who are the embodiment of new antisemitism."
In response, Hebrew University issued a statement emphasizing their stance on promoting free speech on their campus: “The Hebrew University does not boycott any person or organization, even those who argue against us, as long as these organizations operate within the framework of the laws of the state. The university allows its departments and centers to be independent and open in the content of their conferences that are based on a pluralistic approach that promotes and examines social, civil and political issues.”


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