Helen Connell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] February 26, 2008 Dear Ms. Connell, University of Western Ontario Thank you for your reply. But your form letter demonstrates that you obviously did not read my original letter. Attending the Jewish National Fund Negev Dinner is the complete opposite of respecting diversity and tolerance. The JNF is responsible for injustice and suffering to many people - but I guess because those people are Palestinian that doesn't count. Several publicly funded Universities across Canada are aligning themselves with the JNF. This is very troubling. Grants to University programs are given at the same time as the President is "honoured". Apparently this causes blindness. Susan Howard-Azzeh.
Helen Connell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Dear Ms Howard-Azzeh, I am writing on behalf of Dr. Paul Davenport and Western to thank you for your email February 25, 2008 regarding Dr. Davenports being chosen to stand as the 2008 Negev Dinner Honouree. The Negev dinner recognizes a person or an institution that has demonstrated leadership and commitment to diversity and to promoting tolerance. These are long-standing values at Western and Dr. Davenport is being honoured for his steadfast stewardship of them. The issues in the Middle East are complex in terms of accommodating the right of Palestinians and Israelis to live together in peace and safety. The issue of the land policies of the Jewish National Fund are currently before the Israeli High Court where, hopefully, it will be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties. Again, thank you for sharing your views. Please know that Western and Dr. Davenport remain strongly committed to celebrating diversity as well as promoting tolerance and free speech. It is with these principles in mind that Dr. Davenport is accepting the Negev award. Sincerely, Helen Connell --------------------------------- ========================================================================================== Ralph Nader's dad to Ralph when he was 10 years old: "So what did you learn in school today? To believe or to think?" --------------------------------- Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving junk email the boot with the All-new Yahoo! Mail