Professor, I'll repeat the obvious-Israel's recent experience is that withdrawal is not the answer when there is no reliable partner for peace and the Arab public is still waiting for us to leave altogether.

I wonder what Ram would say if he or his family were on the bus that was blown up in Be'er Sheva in September 2004. The reality is that Mr. Ram's "40 year occupation" is in reality a counter-terror response to nearly 100 years of terrorism against Israel and Jews. Mr. Ram conveniently forgets about the massacres of Jews in 1920, 1929, 1936, etc. He forgets about the attacks on Israel by the Arab countries in several wars including 1948 on the new born country with remenants of the holocaust in a new born country and on Yom Kippur amongs the rest. He forgets about the terrorism in the 60's, the hijackings in the 70's, the Munich massacre, 2 Intifada, and terrorism against Jews around the world. But through all terror, bloodshed, suicide bombings, stabbings, kidnappings, and driveby shootings we finally developed extremely effective counter terror methods and operations that turned the tables, contained the terror in their backyards - not ours, and made the terrorists pay dearly for their terror - POETIC JUSTICE. Mr. Ram also ignored the hatreds taught against Israelis in the Arab textbooks and the hate in their mindset that destroyed the synagogues after the Disengagement and the wanton destruction of the hothouses that might have provided legitimate employment and income. He also forgets about the constant launching of Qassam against Sderot and surroundings - even from the very places that we vacated. Maybe it is time for Mr. Ram to come down from his ivory tower and see the families of the kidnapped soldiers, of the terror victims at Sbarro, Mike's Place, Plaza Hotel in Netanya, Hebrew U. cafeteria, and the countless other terrorist attacks. Maybe he should look at what is left of the buses and smell the burnt flesh sprayed everywhere after an attack along with a river of blood. No Mr. Ram is more concerned about his academic boycott and maybe not collecting his per diem when visiting London if allowed to do so. Maybe we are blinded by our medical, scientific, and technological successes and we should re-evaluate our academia from Bar Ilan that hurl Nazi curses at police and sociology professors at Beer Sheva who seemed to be totally detached from reality of terror in the Middle East and overly concern with petty academic exchanges.

Should the USA be given back to the Indians? Or has too much time passed? How much time needs to pass before one can say that a country is not occupied? The Jews certainly have more right to Israel than the Americans have to the USA. Should Texas be given back? These self haters amaze me and I only feel pity for them. How sad they must be! I am Anglo/American - Mike

May I ask who coined the phrase "occupation"? I believe that land won over in war, in a war waged upon Israel, is legitimately Israel. The land in question is disputed but not occupied. Perhaps "occupation" does not apply when it comes to California, New Mexico and most countries of Europe, Asia and South America.

He seems to love the word occupation. This is our jewish homeland and is well documented that this has always been our home. What chutzpah to say we are the occupiers even though we have been here for over 3000 years. The only occupiers are the arab muslims that came from Egypt/jordan after Arafat took reign. Funny how the word occupation wasnt used pre 67'.In fact it was always called jewish Palastine! The word occupation is only being used as a means of propaganda and its only objective is to demonise Israel. Why does our academia seem to mainly consist of extreme left wing bufoons like this guy that are hell bent on demonising and destroying their own country through the twisting of truth. Simple, they are self hating jews with no neshama! Jews are the original inhabitants of this land .....not muslim arabs like this stupid professor is tring to infer! Arabs are the only occupiers im afraid!

yes there is an occupation it is an unwanted occupation of Judea/Samaria by arabs

I'll happily make an exception. It's not like he has done any decent research anyway so boycotting him won't hurt anyone.

I couldn't agree more. The Arab occupation of Eretz Israel should be ended now and the land they occupy returned to the Jewish people as given by God! This is just as ridiculous as the concept of using the “occupation” as a reason for boycotting Israeli universities. The writer has a serious case of forgetfulness and has erred on the side of over-simplification of the issue. The fact is that the "Occupation" was caused by the then Jordanians living on the West bank (there was no Palestinian Entity or Authority in 1967) who constantly butchered, maimed and carried out despicable acts of terror against Israel and the Jewish People. This coupled with the belligerency and hatred of the Arab world caused the Six Day War and thus the occupation or, as some call it, the “Liberation” of the West Bank and the cesspool known as Gaza. The "Occupation" can only come to an end when the Arabs or Palestinians if you like, stop terrorism, behave like a part of the human race instead of barbarians and get down to building a viable State instead of destroying everything they touch. Regarding the UK Academic Boycott, it was called off because of the damage it was causing to British Academia and not because of the moral conscience of the British as, when it comes to Israel, they don't have one. Just look at the history of Britain and England in particular for proof that it is one of the most anti-Semitic countries in the world. Actually, if one looks at the “trouble spots” of the world today the United Kingdom’s colonial policies until the 1960’s were the root cause of many of these catastrophes today.

As a retired academic, I note that instructors in serious subjects always considered sociology a joke. As the author of this article does they pass off their opinions as academic material. The one thing that these guys never do is to define their terms. What is the definition of "occupation"? Land which was Turkish for centuries was entrusted to England for a stated purpose which England never fulfilled. England used control to advance its imperial ambitions with such acts as the creation of Transjordan. When England gave up, there was a war and the Arabs claim that all land east of the cease fire is their land and hence "occupied" by Israel since 1967. If the 1948 war had ended a day earlier or later, different land would have been "occupied". Since the Arabs were on the run then, if the war ended a month or two later, there would have been no "occupied" land because Israel would have had it all.

Prof. Ram insists that the boycott of Israeli academic institutions by the British lecturers' union was not the main issue but rather the occupation. I too beleive that the occupation is wrong and constitutes the biggest folly in Israel's 59 year history. The point is however, that many nations commit follies that are morally, politically and socially objectionable. However, currently none of these have aroused the kind of response (in the form of the boycott) that Israel's occupation has. Is the occupation REALLY sui generis in its moral bankrupcy or are we witnessing a disturbing double standard? I claim the latter is true. Uri Ram, in his efforts to (rightfully) condemn the occupation, need not serve as apologist for the detrimental policy of a morally dubious professional association.

Mister Rum should clearify what part of the world Jews as well as Arabs are occupying. Without this definition his statement is empty. I and many others are confused at what point in history Jewish occupation of Judea, for example, has begun, as well as Arabs.

the Alamo is just a memory, Bush and cronies are trying to help Jed Bush get latin votes at the expense of our stength and our economy. Bush is bought and paid for by lobbies who favor cheap labor and an open border. He is no friend of Israel. See Gaza and now this last ditch attempt to 'cede' Israel ( Jerusalem mainly) to mad bomber muslims. Let him go back to Texas and stay there. He is the worst president America has ever had.

And what about the Northern Ireland, Corsica, Basque Country, Kurdistan and so many other territories? What about the Karelia or Kuril Islands? What about Diego Garcia? Why les Ilois who have been expelled from their island can't return back even for a visit? So why only Israel is to blame of "occupation" dating 59 years while there are so many older precedents in the world? Isn't it because we are Jews - always to blame people and always on the front page for best or for worse?

Our "occupation" of the West Bank is the result of a defensive war & the later refusal of the Arab states to negotiate. Since the areas in question were disputed territory since the time of the 1948 war, successive gov't's supported the creation of "facts on the ground" - meaning settlements. In the absence of any serious prospects for negotiations, this continued until the Oslo agreements. Since, the primary reason for the "occupation" has been for security reasons. Now Prof. Ram uses the boycott issue to make statements as to the "immorality & illegality" of the occupation. But as is typical with those who use this type of argument, no mention is made of specific details, problems, dangers, or security concerns. This professor is theoretically a scientist. What happened to the scientific method? In any serious discussion, we go where the evidence takes us. So where is any discussion of prior events & why they failed? Where is the discussion of Hamas, it's stated aims as expressed in it's charter, the probability of their coming to power in the West Bank, & the consequences should that occur? Where is an analysis of Fatah, it's aims, it's ability to "deliver" on any agreement they sign, & it's past history of corruption, incompetence, & support for terrorism? Where is an analysis of the consequences to our security following an end to "occupation" - and more important, what will our options be? In other words, where is any evidence that ending the "occupation" will actually work? Are we supposed to make a "leap of faith" & go blindly forward, ignoring inconvenient evidence? The professor speaks of "immoral" - is not our security, our survival, our lives somehow not moral? Without solid evidence & analysis, this discussion is just empty words. Wishful thinking does not an argument make.

let the UK boycott as much as they want. Your question - do the universities serve the occupation is idiotic. Does studying Shakespeare, or Dante, or the history of Rome, of medicine or nuclear physics or chemistry, have anything to do with occupation? Not unless a suicide bomber can find his way into a campus and blow himself up among innocent victims. You sound like an indoctrinator, not a professor, much like the kommissar teaching in bolshevic universities (where precious academic hours were dedicated to the study of marxism-leninism) or like a religious preacher in an Islamic University. In both instances students are brainwashed, and the faculty are pushing their agenda (either as a matter of "conscience" as I believe may be your case, or because the state authorities impose it). You are an impostor, sir, and if you can't deal with reality, then you should resign your position at the University - move to the UK and become an active player in the boycott, move to Gaza and teach at the Hamas universities, where they would probably be delighted to welcome you with open arms, or join a political party, such as Meretz. But stop biting the hand that feeds you well. If you have a conscience, that is.

As if the occupation wasn't illegal/immoral. Blockades and all other 'actions' will be condemned by some and applauded by others, spin or any other action as well. Who cares? I only wish they'd boycott EVERYTHING Jews contributed to their pitiful, antijewish "lives".

All of what you say is true of course, but that doesn't prove that the occupation is OK. Its not. My stance is that the Israeli control of the Palestinian population is wrong and a way must be found to give them their freedom to develop themselves, whilst preserving Israeli security. Unfortunately Hamas and the terrorists make it impossible to end the occupation at present which lets we Israelis of the hook to an extent. Hamas is prolonging the occupation ironically. But active promotion of the occupation such as establishing new settlements must end.

Today's Arab slogan is "Occupation". It used to be "PLO is the sole legitimate representative of the PAL people" before Arafat learned to play the "game", disavowed terror and finally started making some progress for the PAL people. Your (And Ram's) use of their political slogan signals defeatism and acceptance of the flagrantly false PAL premises. If you and they would go to the Krayot and see young Arab ladies working side by side with young Israeli ladies at Steimatzky. The last time I went to Natzeret, an elderly Arab man greeted me in Yiddish and I responded kindly in Arabic. Or go to Sakhnin and see young Arabs in jeans and Arab women driving cars! You may also want to revisit the "Peace Team" made up of Jewish and Arab Israelis on the Israel national soccer team playing together and showing what real peace is or can be. But on the other hand look at the Arabs in Jenin, Ramallah, or Gaza. They are driven by hatred above all else and seek our destruction at all cost - even sending suicide bombers so long as they can murder and main Israelis. How do you reason with such people. Their charter uncompromisingly calls for the destruction of Israel. Ironically I supported the Disengagement because the premise of the settlements as an early warning against an Egyptian attack was no longer valid and the settlers were in harms way requiring unjustifiable costs to protect them. Furthermore, the Disengagement proved the hostility and barbarity of the Gazans as they destroyed synagogues, hothouses, and continued to launch rockets. There has been ABSOLUTELY NOTHING POSITIVE FORTHCOMING FROM HAMAS FOR PALs OR ISRAELIS AND NO JUSTIFICATION FOR THEIR MISERABLE EXISTANCE. On the other hand, the greatest and only hope right now in with Abbas in WB (i.e. splitting PALs into FATAH and HAMAS, WB and GAZA). The greatest single act of the PAL govt in WB in recent times was the PAL police saving the life of the Israeli soldier who strayed into Jenin. I am willing to bet that they will be highly rewarded for this action. We need more responsible positive actions on the side of the PALs that can help promote mutual incremental steps towards peace. Sloganism just doesn't cut it.

beer & Friday night.

hurts the whole world, like a thorn that has started festering and spreading its poison. Withdraw from Palestinian land! Give Palestinians their freedom!

It.......

Ram comes accross as totally lacking global or historical perspective. He should educate himself about the world we live in and the history of America, Europe, etc. before coming out to besmirch and single out Israel for unusual criticism. Many Israel-haters who would love to see Israel disappear with or without occupation, in the pre-1967 or the pre-1948 or post 70CE borders, just love to use the arguments made by some misguided, naive Israeli academics. I know, because I'm an American Academic who knows these types all too well.

It seems that the world is divided into two distinct and opposed groups: Those who think there is an Israeli occupation and those who think there isn't. Hence the never ending debate, name calling and anger. Can both sides understand each other? Is there a definitive answer? What do the historiacl facts teach us (forget religion/superstition and/or propaganda - just stick to facts)

Please read the following article, the facts speak for themselves: www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=6B82343B-8200-4579-B388-D1AA22442CC3

It's become apparent as of late that any Jew who dares step over the territory of even sympathising with the utter injustice occuring sometimes within a few miles of where they live, is branded a self hating jew. It''s not them who are self hating....they are the ones who see further than what is the apparent truth that is presented to them. The zionist state has now fostered an approach of racial liberation whereby Israel has the capability to rule the palestinians in every aspect of their life be it economic, social, educational and humanitarian. This has resulted in the complete humiliation of the palestinian human rights. The whole idea of self determination too often cited by Jews wanting to foment a Jewish state and the idea of zionism cannot be justified for the mere fact that people cannot decide if others want to maintain their ethnic purity, it is only individuals who can do this. There has been an indoctrination of the zionist state in which each aspect of life is governed by a false tolerance of nationalism in Israel created by the biggest zionists such as Naom Chaosky. This cannot be propagated like Uri here says if you want to continue safely in this world. You can't surely believe the Israeli government can be safe like this, with the US being their only friends in the world. The way they are going, things will topple in Israel and that is imminent, and I assure you will happen some time soon.