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| Boycott Watch to
Duke University: Do You Stand With Us, Or The Terrorists? |
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| October 6, 2004 |
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| Summary: Duke University is planning to host a
conference sponsored by a group that published a book stating support for
terrorists and terrorism. Boycott Watch challenges Duke to explain why they aid
those who support terrorism. |
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Duke University is planning to host a conference
sponsored by the Palestine Solidarity Movement October 15-17, 2004. Boycott
Watch has written Duke to inform them that the conference may violate US
anti-boycott laws based on what our representatives saw while attending a PSM
conference last year at the Ohio State University. Although Duke is ignoring
the possibility of violating federal anti-boycott laws, Boycott Watch has been
pressing for a federal investigation into the matter.
In the mean time,
a new book has been published by the conference sponsors states "we recognize
the Palestinian right to resist…via armed struggle." "Armed struggle" is
the same wording used by terrorists, such as Hamas and Al-Qayda, to justify
murder, including the murder of Americans. Boycott Watch believes that
supporting terrorists even in words is against the Bush Doctrine, which states
"You are either with us, or the terrorists," thus Duke hosting the conference
is anti-American.
Boycott Watch has sent a new letter to Duke urging the
university to take an immediate stance against terrorism and send a message to
their students that terrorism and those who support it have no safe haven at
Duke.
Boycott Watch letter to Duke:
Boycott
Watch
13938A Cedar Rd Suite 253
Cleveland, Ohio 44118
October 4, 2004
Mr. John F. Burness
Senior Vice President for Public
Affairs and Government Relations
Duke University
211 Allen - Box 90028
Durham, NC 27708-0028
Dear Vice President Burness,
Thank
you for your reply to our letter regarding the illegal boycott and divestment
conferences sponsored by the Palestine Solidarity Movement, the latest of which
is scheduled to occur at Duke University on October 15-17, 2004. Although we
may disagree on whether the federal anti-boycott laws apply to such
conferences, you should be aware that Boycott Watch has called for a federal
investigation into the legality of the conferences based on their support and
promotion of unsanctioned foreign boycotts. By hosting the upcoming conference,
Duke may be included in the investigation.
As part of our research into
the International Solidarity Movement / Palestine Solidarity Movement, Boycott
Watch reviewed the ISM's book entitled "Peace Under Fire" (ISBN 1-84467-501-7).
On page 20 of the book, the ISM states that they "recognize the Palestinian
right to resist…via armed struggle." Those are the same words used by
terrorists groups such as Hamas and the PLO to justify terrorism. President
Bush stated: "You are either with us or with the terrorists." Apparently, the
ISM/PSM stands with the terrorists. By agreeing to host the conference, Duke
would be standing with those who stand with terrorists.
By their own
words, the conference sponsors are not benevolent humanitarians, but rather,
people who condone terrorism. We urge you once again to join other
universities, such as Rutgers, that have rejected hosting such hate
conferences.
Sincerely yours,
Fred Taub,
President,
Boycott Watch |
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