• It would appear that there are some calls for Southampton University to cancel the planned conference on the State of Israel.I note that Mark Hoban describes the event as 'one-sided'. Yet academics holding a wide range of different views have been invited. John Richmond smears the conference by associating it with 'the bashing of Israel' and 'naked anti-semitism', and some imaginary 'campaign against the Jews'.Richmond offers no justification for his frankly extremist views, and I think it unfortunate that the Echo gave a platform to them.Southampton University has a long and honourable tradition of upholding academic freedom which I feel sure that the Echo will whole-heartedly support.

Yours sincerely, Jenifer Flintoft, MA, University of Hatfield & Chichester University College.

 

  • I AM writing to express my concern regarding calls for Southampton University to cancel the planned conference on the State of Israel (‘Thousands call for university to cancel Israel conferences, Daily Echo, March 23). I feel that Mark Hoban’s description of the event as “one-sided”, is incorrect.Academics holding a wide range of views on the situation will be in discussion at the conference.It certainly does not have the intention of providing a platform for anti-Semitism.On the contrary, it wants to encourage open debate on a very important issue. The time has come for open and honest discussion in a public forum to address the serious case of human rights abuses taking place in the Holy Land, and to see what can be done to address these.When Jonathon Sacks was Chief Rabbi, he declared that the lessons of the holocaust are “don’t stand by” and “defend the defenceless”. For this reason alone the debate must be heard.May I also point out that organisations such as Jewish Voice for Peace welcome any opportunity to enter into dialogue on this issue and not be afraid to challenge injustice.As a former student at the university, I know that it has has a long and honourable tradition of upholding academic freedom. This debate is part of that and I encourage people to come along and find out for themselves.

SUSAN MALPASS, Fareham (MSc, University of Southampton).

  • IT is a shame that there is a flurry of calls for the University of Southampton to cancel the forthcoming conference on the legitimacy of the State of Israel.Zionist speakers were invited in order to have a balanced debate, but only one has agreed to attend.It is not an anti-Semitic conference, it will however highlight some painful aspects of Zionism and Israeli practices and laws which discriminate against Israel’s non-Jewish population.It is right to worry about anti-Semitism which is indeed abhorrent. But this targets Zionism, not Jews, although many try to maintain a link between the two in order to make it uncomfortable to criticise Israel.

LIZ ROLFS, address supplied.

  • I JUST wanted to say that I think dialogue between parties always reduces misunderstandings. It was brave of Southampton University to attempt to head up communication and by practice, break down barriers. What a shame it was so heavily criticised by factions who just seem to want to cause problems. Recently in Brighton when there was a Palestinian event I moved away from the noise and a Jewish man came to talk to me and we had a really helpful discussion about our differing thoughts and ideas and he thanked me for engaging with him and explained that he learned something about a varying stance.

CAROL ALLEN, address supplied.