An update on the RMS issue. I know it is not really my place to
intervene here, as I'm a mostly-inactive member of Haifux, and I know
many of you may be annoyed by what I'm about to say, but still, I would
like to hear Stallman in Haifa and I'm trying to see if this can be made
to happen somehow.
Dr. Stallman has indicated he will be able to attend an event in Haifa
if it meets the boycott criteria. Literally, he said this:
On 01/06/2011 04:04, Richard Stallman wrote:
Are you interested in helping to arrange a speech in a non-university
venue in Haifa?
after writing:
On 01/06/2011 04:04, Richard Stallman wrote:
> I am publicizing this response.
>
>
> I don't advocate a blanket boycott of Israeli universities, but I am
> not going to campaign against it either. I see where they are coming
> from: Israel's occupation policies are horrible. Nonviolent protests
> are crushed with persistent brutality. (See
> http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=221897.)
>
> Palestinians who are against violence are looking desperately for
> some method of nonviolent resistance. I can't blame them for it
> even if I don't agree entirely with the details. Thus, I don't
> resent their insistence.
Anyway, it's not just the university venue, it's rather that RMS'
Palestinian hosts are duty-bound to cancel his visit if it includes
relations with boycottable Israeli institutions:
http://pacbi.org/etemplate.php?id=1421
Guideline 3. Yes, that includes ourselves (= Haifux), not just Haifa U
or the Technion . However, a meeting organized by individuals, with no
organization behind it, is Kosher: there is _no_ boycott of Israeli
individuals. Call it a "Free Software enthusiasts' meeting with RMS" or
something. So would be a meeting organized by an appropriately
dissenting organization, which may also be worth looking into.
Now, I can't take it upon myself to organize this, but if some people
are interested in making this happen, like I said, it is possible, and
RMS is willing to speak in Haifa.
Eyal
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