Nasir El-Amin wrote:
In an attempt not to start a political argument on the list, let's just say that all of the above assertions are controversial.
I have no problem starting political arguments off list,
so if you think you can convince me, or am open minded enough for
a reality check, feel free to contact me directly.
There is no discrimination in entering Israel based on either religion or nationality. As such, any DD who is either Palestinian or Muslim, and wishes to attend, may do so based on the visa requirements of their respective citizenship.
I'm not sure what the visa requirements are for citizens of either the PA or other Muslim countries with no diplomatic relations with Israel are, but I know for a fact that such visits are possible. This even includes citizens of Indonesia, a country whose passport explicitly says is not valid in Israel. Anyone who's interested in attending DebConf 2020 is free to contact me off list and I'll do whatever I can to help in obtaining said visa.
You are, of course, free to make whatever choice you wish in this regard. I will point out that such an indirect boycott (i.e. - not only boycotting Israel and Israeli companies, but also boycotting anyone who does not themselves boycott Israel) has been tried by the Arab countries, and was abandoned over 30 years ago.
It is an inherently anti-pluralist thing to do, as not only would
you be making a moral stand, you'd also be claiming that you would
not be willing to interact with anyone who will not make the same
moral stand as you. In other words, it is a move designed to
reduce the diversity of world views expressed.
Shachar |