No Debate
The Israel Lobby and Free Speech at Canadian Universities

Thompson, Jon
Publisher:  Lorimer, Toronto
Year Published:  2011
Pages:  334pp   ISBN:  9781552776568
  Dewey:  378.1/2130971
Resource Type:  Book
Cx Number:  CX15997

During 2008-2009, Israel lobby organizations made concerted efforts to block a planned conference on statehood for Israel and Palestine at Toronto's York University. Thompson probes the facts and context of the case and explores the meaning of academic freedom in Canada.

Abstract: 
During 2008-2009, Israel lobby organizations made concerted efforts to block a planned conference on statehood for Israel and Palestine at Toronto's York University. This book is a report of an independent investigation by author Jon Thompson for the Canadian Association of University Teachers, an organization that has been active in the defence of free speech and academic freedoms which have been challenged on Canadian campuses.

Controversy began at York soon after the Israel-Palestine conference was advertised, and intensified over the following months. The event was repeatedly denounced, and university administrators were deluged by irate e-mails and phone calls. York, as the host university, was warned of boycotts and the cessation of donations and was denounced in fullpage newspaper ads. When York and its co-sponsors stood their ground, the Israel lobby persuaded the Harper government to contact SSHRC, an academic funding agency also involved with the event. In response, SSHRC made an unprecedented intervention. The Canadian Association of University Teachers then made a public issue of the government's interference and, in the end, the conference was held as planned.

This book establishes the facts of the case, provides a context for understanding it, and explores the meaning of academic freedom in Canada. Author Jon Thompson proposes measures which universities and university faculty members can take to better safeguard their ability to discuss and debate ideas which some may wish to silence.

[From publisher]



Table of Contents

Foreword

1 Overview
2 Research in the Social Sciences and Humanities
3 One- and Two-State Models
4 Conference Planning and Support
5 Intensifying Controversy: March-May 2009
6 Involvement of the Federal Government and SSHRC
7 The Conference and Commentary On It
8 Academic Freedom
9 Discussion and Findings
10 Lessons and Recommendations

Appendices
Endnotes
Index

Subject Headings

Insert T_CxShareButtonsHorizontal.html here