This is the email I got from a friend who went to the 3 schools mentioned. He broadcast it to a list of folks that he hopes will get the word out. He has me on that list.

email me if you want the original email w/ addresses.

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If you attended or have taught at Oxford or the LSE you can help to resist intolerance and intimidation at British universities. If you know somebody who has attended or has taught at Oxford or the LSE, please pass this email on.

In recent weeks there have been “occupations” of university buildings by “Gaza Solidarity” groups. These activists have demanded that universities issue statements condemning Israel and create scholarships for Gazans (Cambridge demands are here). Some “occupations” have involved the Stop the War Coalition, a group that consorts with such terrorist groups as Hamas and Hizballah (see report here). Comparisons between Israel and apartheid South Africa are routine.

Sadly, institutions such as Oxford and the LSE have negotiated with the “occupiers” and made concessions to them (Oxford “Gaza solidarity” victory statement here, Oxford University statement here, LSE “victory” statement here, LSE joint statement here). In addition, the LSE withdrew an invitation to speak from the well known writer, Douglas Murray

Those of us with connections to Oxford and the LSE can politely express our concern at these institutions straying into international politics and conceding to those who break university regulations. It is particularly important to contact the Alumni office.

The Director of the LSE, Howard Davies, can be reached here:[redacted]

The Head of Alumni Relations at the LSE, Charlotte Armah can be reached here: [redacted]

The Vice Chancellor of Oxford, Dr. John Hood can be reached here: [redacted]

His successor in October 2009 will be Professor Andrew Hamilton, the Provost of Yale, he can be reached here: [redacted]

The Oxford Director of Alumni Relations Nancy Kenny, can be reached here:
[redacted]

What Oxford and the LSE have conceded

* Waive application fees for “those in Gaza and the West Bank directly affected by the conflict” (LSE);
* A “Fund raising and recruitment strategy will be developed by the Financial Support Office, the Office of Development and Alumni Relations and the Students Union Palestine Society” for Palestinian students (LSE);
* “It was agreed that efforts to attract endowments to fund scholarships at Oxford for the most academically talented Palestinian students, to help lessen some of the obstacles to education that now prevail, would be welcome.” (Oxford);
* At Oxford, the Senior Proctor stated that he had “I have decided to raise in Council the concerns regarding possible University investments in arms manufacturers and ask whether the University’s policy of socially responsible investment is being adhered to.” (This in response to demands for disinvestment from arms companies doing business with Israel);
* At Oxford, the Senior Proctor reported that some academics “have volunteered their time to help teach in Gaza and help during the restoration of university facilities there.”

Background

The “occupation” of buildings is a disciplinary offence in British universities. Also British universities are only supposed to be involved in education, not politics, and cannot make political statements. Cambridge refused to be intimidated (see Cambridge “Gaza solidarity” statement here). Nottingham University security staff expelled students engaged in an occupation, while Sheffield Hallam suspended students. There was no reason for the LSE or Oxford to concede.

The broader context is also worrisome. Britain has seen the worst wave of anti-Jewish violence in 25 years. There have also been attacks against Starbucks and the supermarket Tesco because of their supposed Israel connections (see here, here and here). The occupations, and the other protests, have created an atmosphere of intimidation towards Jewish student