Re: [Trisquel-users] (off topic) Stallman cancels talks in Israel

[alonivtsan]

I know he spoke in Israel in  2003 and I am not suggesting that he chose to  
boycott Israel. But when someone agrees to cancel talks that he planned in  
Israel due to Palestinian pressure it is presented in the media as a boycott  
of Israel. I agree that it is not the same as rock bands cancelling their  
performances in Israel (such as the Pixies) since they would have gotten  
money anyway. Also, if Stallman needed funding he should have requested  
funding beforehand from Israel as well in order to avoid the predicament he  
found himself in where one side imposes conditions on him. I do however think  
that while the Palestinians can set any conditions that they want since they  
are funding his visit (including requesting that Israel shouldn't get a free  
lecture without funding Stallman), by accepting the terms Stallman (and the  
FSF) basically said that someone else can control your free speech (and  
advance their own agenda of boycotting Israel) with money. The funding is  
supposed to cover Stallman's expenses related to getting to Palestine and  
returning home and not to control what Stallman does in his free time.