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.
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.
