The
fate of the anti-Israel conference at Southampton University appears to be
hanging in the balance following unconfirmed reports that it has been
cancelled.
Conference organisers have claimed that the university is planning to
withdraw its permission to host the conference in April due to health and
safety concerns over planned demonstrations.
But a press spokesperson for the university could neither confirm nor
deny the claim early on Tuesday morning.
Gavin Costigan, director of the vice-chancellor’s office, declined to
comment.
Website Electronic Intifada and a blog post from anti-Israel activist
Ben White both published a statement signed by conference organisers Professor
Oren Ben-Dor, Professor George Bisharat, Professor Suleiman Sharkh and Ms.
Juman Ismail.
It stated: “It is with extreme astonishment and sadness that we have to
inform you that the University of Southampton has told us earlier yesterday (30
March 2015) that it intends to withdraw its permission to hold the academic
conference on international law and the State of Israel.
“We were told that the decision was taken on the grounds of health and
safety: a number of groups may be demonstrating for or against the conference
which could present risks to the safety of the participants, students and staff.
The university claims that it does not have enough resources to mitigate the
risks, despite a clear statement from the police confirming that they are able
to deal with the protest and ensure the security of the event.”
The statement goes on to threaten legal action against the university.
Professor Ben-Dor confirmed that he released the statement and that he
expected the university to release its own statement later today.
The three-day conference, which features anti-Zionist academics expected
to challenge Israel’s legitimacy, is due to start on April 17. Protests, led by
grassroots group Sussex Friends of Israel, have been planned for the final day
of the event.
