24 June 2016

The Palestine solidarity and human rights organisation BDS South Africa has received written communication from Professor Adhikari (Vice President of the International Network of Genocide Scholars (INoGS)) indicating that he has withdrawn his presentation from the upcoming INoGS conference to be hosted in Israel.

The withdrawal follows a letter by BDS SA to Professor Adhikari requesting him to withdraw from the INoGS conference. We thank Professor Adhikari for responding to us and for the position taken.

Earlier this week the prominent South African human rights centre, the CSVR, also withdrew its participation from the INoGS conference due to it taking place in Israel in violation of the international boycott of Israel (click here). Palestinians have issued a statement welcoming the withdrawal (click here).

The academic boycott forms part of the larger BDS boycott of Israel movement called for by Palestinians, supported by progressive Israelis and backed by an increasing number of academics across the globe.

ISSUED BY KWARA KEKANA ON BEHALF OF BDS SOUTH AFRICA