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  Effort for joint statement condemning UK boycott
Hebrew University Professor lauds effort for joint statement condemning UK efforts towards boycott of Israeli institutions
 

31 March 2008 - Four large, international, scientific associations have issued a joint statement condemning efforts in Britain to boycott Israeli academic and research institutions.

Prof. Shlomo Sasson, of the Hebrew University School of Pharmacy and head of the Diabetes Research Center at the Faculty of Medicine, said today that “this statement represents the views of four organizations comprising thousands of physicians, researchers and health care professionals working in the areas of diabetes and endocrinology. I hope that this statement will help prevent the drafting of any future scientific boycotts.”

Prof. Sasson who was active in promoting the declaration, particularly credited
the leadership of the president and council of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in drafting and signing of the statement.

The following is the statement of support for the Principle of the Universality of Science that has been released by the EASD, as well as the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE):

“We have been aware of the motion of the UK University and College Union (UCU) passed at its congress in May 2007 “calling for the circulation and debate of a call to boycott Israeli institutions,” We have not been comforted by the more recent recommendation from the UCU general secretary not to pursue this motion to boycott. This decision was taken because the legality of the motion was in doubt, not because of any apparent concern for the fundamental issues at stake.

“We reaffirm our strong support of the essential elements of the Principle of the Universality of Science, as defined in Statute 5 of the International Council for Science:

“The principle of the Universality of Science is fundamental to scientific progress. This principle embodies freedom of movement, association, expression and communication for scientists, as well as equitable access to data, information and research materials. In pursuing its objectives in respect of the rights and responsibilities of scientists, the International Council for Science (ICSU) actively upholds this principle, and, in so doing, opposes any discrimination on the basis of such factors as ethnic origin, religion, citizenship, language, political stance, gender, sex or age. ICSU shall not accept disruption of its own activities by statements or actions that intentionally or otherwise prevent the application of this principle.

“We urge scientific unions and academic societies of all nations and regions to show similar support for these principles and their application in favor of freedom of academic exchange.”


Signed:

Ele Ferrannini, President EASD
John B Buse, President ADA
Martin Silink, President IDF
Richard Hellman, President AACE