Nov 02 2009
Appeal to Norway
Rector of the University of Haifa, Prof. Yossi Ben-Artzi, has approached his counterpart at the Trondheim university - the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) - upon learning of a resolution to declare an academic boycott on Israel. “Academic boycott serves only to harm academic freedom, impede intellectual advancement, and offend universal values,” said Prof. Ben-Artzi.
The motion is supposedly to be voted upon at the Norwegian institution’s upcoming meeting of the Board of Governors. Prof. Ben-Artzi asked that Rector Torbjørn Digernes promptly withdraw the proposal prior to inclusion in the agenda for his university’s board meeting.
Prof. Ben-Artzi added that “Israel is an enlightened country and the move for a boycott of Israel is clearly based on misinformation and misrepresentation. Israel’s universities are of the most active in international research and shared academic endeavors - the results of which are renowned. The University of Haifa, in particular, is carrying out innovative research in conjunction with Norwegian scientists in various fields. I hope that NTNU will promptly reconsider the boycott motion.”