I write to express dismay and opposition to the decision taken by the AUT to sever links with Haifa and Bar-Ilan universities.

This boycott fails to recognise the continuous democratic processes and discussions within Israel, where brave voices are constantly raised against the actions in Palestine; it glides over the effects of the barbaric suicide attacks on the streets of Israel and the unremitting threats from Arab states that they will destroy Israel; it is wrong because it denies the hard-won freedom of international academic discourse; and, as far as Britain is concerned, it denies freedom of speech, which is a gift for extremists everywhere.

I have no doubt that the AUT’s decision was sincerely taken, but I believe it is dangerous and misguided.

Melvyn Bragg

London

(from the Guardian Newspaper)

And in case we needed proof that the organizer of this boycott is not the most balanced of people. Here’s the great Sue Blackwell in the same letters pages today:

Michael Kustow (Letters, April 23) challenges my description of Israel as “an illegitimate state” (Report, April 22). How can any state be legitimate that is founded on ethnic cleansing (which Kustow accepts took place)? I would have said the same about apartheid South Africa. I look forward to a Holy Land in which people of all races and religions have equal status under an inclusive constitution – like South Africa today.

Sue Blackwell

Birmingham