In a free society how do we tolerate those who wish to express views that may appear intolerant?
That would appear to lie at the heart of the debate over whether Southampton University should host a three-day conference asking the question should the state of Israel have the right to exist in international law?
It is without doubt a provocative question asked at a sensitive time when it is claimed anti-Semitism is on the rise in this country.
However, Southampton Univeristy is correct in its stance that the conference should go ahead. Difficult questions should be addressed in a free society. Indeed by open discussion, the foundations of hate and misunderstanding can be best defeated. Shutting down any discussion of controversial topics seldom makes them go away.
But this paper does agree that the University has a duty to ensure the debate is balanced with both sides being permitted to have their say.
In the end we serve the rights of people to determine their own destiny best when we allow the debate to continue.
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