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Manchester protests at Israeli Science Day 
'It was a load of bull. I came because I thought we would learn about biology. But we just got a lecture. It was Israeli propaganda that's all', explained Northenden College student Osman who attended Israeli Science Day at Manchester's Science Museum last week. A group of students sent to the event from Manchester College bought Palestine badges and took leaflets from our campaign stall and distributed them inside the Israeli 'private talk'. "We got thrown out! We are barred from the building now!" they said, "but we got rid of all the leaflets", said Joseph.
This was not the outcome intended when the Zionist Federation of Britain planned the Israeli Science Days last year around the same time that the Israeli cabinet were planning the attacks on Gaza. Protesters from Stop the War, Bricup, PSC, Viva Palestina, and MAB ensured Israeli Science Day did not go unchallenged. A letter signed by hundreds, including many academics, was published in the local paper, the MEN.
One who signed was scientist Alan Tyldesley, "I hold a science degree, and for the last 30 years have worked to use my science and engineering knowledge in the pursuit of safety at work. I am always dismayed when science is used to progress the design of weapons and military hard wear. After the Israelis used their hi-tech army against Gaza, anyone with any humanity can only recall in horror, and we should not publicise Israeli science in such a way in Manchester."
'Last year this museum organised a special exhibition of '1001 Inventions'. Those inventions were for the benefit of everyone. Many Jewish scientists have contributed to science which has helped the whole of humanity. Israeli Science only benefits one group, Israelis. It was Israeli Science which helped destroy Gaza. That is why we are here", explained Mark Krantz, from Stop the War at the rally outside the Museum.
The Zionist Federation of Britain a lobby group for Israel, wants to hold two 'Israeli Science' Days at our Science Museums in London & at MOSI in Manchester., the Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Rd. Castlefield.
 A letter of protest compiled by The British Committee for Palestinian Universities (Bricup) was published in the Guardian last week.
Manchester Evening News published our letter.
See who has signed.
'Israeli Science' was used to more efficiently destroy the University of Gaza, the UN schools, and to kill and injure thousands. Is this what Israeli Science does?
The aim of this one off event is to promote the work of seven Universities in Israel. Tel Aviv University is the most prominent which, 'is playing a major role in enhancing Israel's security capabilities and military edge' in Gaza. Israel's top army lawyer who drew up legal justification for the bombing has just got a job teaching Law at Tel Aviv University. Along with the generals and politicians who ordered the bombing, she stands accused of war crime
Opposition Grows to Israeli Science Day at MOSI
Following Israel's recent assault on Gaza with weapons, which included 'white
phosphorus', opposition to Israeli Science Day at Manchester's Museum of
Science and Industry is growing.
An open letter asking Steve Davies MOSI director to cancel the event has drawn widespread support following the destruction of the only university in Gaza, and the bombing of UN schools by Israeli forces last month. Many professors and doctors have signed the open letter which argues that since the original booking was made the situation has changed significantly, Israel stands accused of committing war crimes in Gaza.
We are concerned that the good reputation of the Science Museum could be undermined if it is used as a platform for the promotion of 'Israeli Science' while anger over the killings in Gaza are running high across the region.
The Zionist Federation of Britain, a pro Israel lobby group has organised the event to strengthen links with Israeli Universities. Tel Aviv University, the most prominent, 'is playing a major role in enhancing Israel's security capabilities and military edge' in Gaza. Israel's top army lawyer who drew up legal justification for the bombing has just got a job teaching Law at Tel Aviv University. Along with the generals and politicians who ordered the bombing, she stands accused of war crime.
"Israeli universities are keen to publicise the 'good' side of their scienti research but they keep quiet about the help they give to the military.' - Professor Jules Townsend a PSC member who teaches at MMU.
"We do not have a French Science Day or even British Science Day. Why then have an Israeli Science Day? Scientific inventions should be for the benefit of everyone. There was a good exhibition last year at MOSI showing 1001 inventions discovered by Islamic scholars. We would welcome an exhibition showing the contribution made from Jewish Scientists through the ages. Israeli science helps maintain the occupation of Palestinian land," - Mark Krantz, from Stop the War Coalition
"I hold a science degree, and for the last 30 years have worked to use my science and engineering knowledge in the pursuit of safety at work. I am always dismayed when science is used to progress the design of weapons and military hard wear. After the Israelis used their hi-tech army against Gaza, anyone with any humanity can only recall in horror, and we should not publicise Israeli science in such a way in Manchester." Alan Tyldesley is a scientist who works preventing fires not starting them.
Open letter asking MOSI, Manchester Museum of Science and Industry to cancel 'Israeli Science Day'
To: Steve Davies, Directory of MOSI
cc. Tony Hill, Head of Marketing
Dear Steve Davies,
We write to ask that you cancel the planned 'Israeli Science Day' at Manchester Museum of Science and Industry.
The Zionist Federation of Great Britain has booked part of the MOSI for an 'Israeli Day of Science' on Tuesday 3rd March, A similar event is planned for the Science Museum in London on the 5th March.
An open letter asking that the London Science Museum cancel their 'Israeli Science Day' is attracting considerable support. (see letter below)
Since the booking was made from the Zionist Federation of Britain with MOSI the situation has changed dramatically.
Israel conducted a brutal war against the people of Gaza. Israel continues to maintain a siege which worsens what the UN has declared as a 'massive' humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Across the North West region, from Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Preston, Blackburn, Oldham, and Manchester there has been an unprecedented wave of demonstrations and protests in opposition to Israel's war on Gaza. In addition people across the region have given generously to collections for many of the aid charities working to help the Palestinian people in need.
The recent decision by the BBC Director Mark Thomson to refuse an appeal from the Disaster Emergency Committee to broadcast an emergency appeal for Gaza on the BBC has been seen by many as the BBC siding with Israel. The Palestinian children in need were denied help. Damage has been done to the standing and the reputation of the BBC.
Confidence in our museums as public institutions would, we believe, be damaged if our Science Museum allowed itself to be seen as giving a platform to promote 'Israeli interest', rather than 'scientific' interests. 'Israeli Day of Science' is not primarily about science, rather it designed to be a showcase for seven Israeli Universities. These Universities are all complicit in the Israeli occupation, and in the policies and weaponry so recently deployed to such disastrous effect in Gaza. For example one, Tel Aviv University, 'is playing a major role in enhancing Israel's security capabilities and military edge'.
Israeli Science' was recently used to help the Israeli military destroy the university in Gaza. Palestinian students cannot now study science as their schools lie in rubble, their classmates dead or injured
MOSI has a history of providing scientific exhibitions which explain how science has been developed, how it has been used to enlighten, to provide understanding. How science has been used for the benefit the whole of humanity. It is this inclusive approach which has placed the museum in such high standing among schools and colleges, families and communities across the region. We ask that you consider our request to cancel the booking for Israeli Science Day.
Signatures to this open letter will indicate the strength of feeling over this issue. We do hope that you will respond positively.
yours truly
Professor Jules Townsend, MMU
Dr Aziz, Muslim Association of Britain
Mark Krantz, convener Greater Manchester Stop the War Coalition
To add your name to this open letter email: krantz.mark@googlemail.com )
Open Letter to the Science Museum London
Compiled by British Committee for Palestinian Universities: Bricup
The Right Honourable Lord Waldegrave of North Hill House of Lords
(cc Martin Earwicker, Director, Science Museum)
Dear Lord Waldegrave
We are writing to you in your capacity as chair of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum of Science and Industry. You will be aware that the Science Museum in London has been made available on March 5th for an event called "Israel Day of Science".
You will also I hope be aware of the shock and dismay that this news is causing. The Museum argues that it is not sponsoring the event but has merely hired out its premises. This subtle distinction is unlikely to be appreciated by the many thousands of all ages and faiths who have repeatedly taken to the streets of London to protest Israeli war crimes in Gaza. The public anger at the BBC's refusal to broadcast a charity appeal for Gaza is but one example.
The event is promoted by the Zionist Federation and is designed to showcase the scientific achievements of seven Israeli universities. But all of these are complicit in the Israeli occupation, and in the policies and weaponry so recently deployed to such disastrous effect in Gaza.
To take just one example, Tel Aviv University in its most recent Annual Review states that "the Israel Ministry of Defense is currently funding 55 projects at TAU", which "is playing a major role in enhancing Israel's security capabilities and military edge". The head of TAU's Security Studies Program was a former director of the R&D Directorate of the Israel Ministry of Defense. He holds the rank of Major General in the Israel Defense Forces, and is a member of theKnesset. According to the New York City Independent Media Center "The results of some of the secret war research projects on Tel Aviv
University's campus have apparently been reflected in the weapons systems that are being brutally used against Palestinian civilians in Gaza by the Israeli War Machine, in violation of the Nuremberg Trial Accords, the United Nations Charter and international law."
You are no doubt aware that the "Day of Science" is aimed particularly at 6th form students, who can be expected to come in parties from schools across the country. What reaction do you expect from the many young people, especially Muslims, already disaffected from science, who will associate the Science Museum with this Israeli public relations exercise?
The event is being billed as a celebration of Science. In fact it is an attempted celebration of Israel. In the immediate aftermath of the indiscriminate slaughter and attempted annihilation of all the infrastructure of organised society in Gaza, how can this 'celebration' be allowed to borrow some respectability from the use of the distinguished premises of the Science Museum?
We call on you to cancel this booking.
(To add your name to this open letter from Bricup email: supporters@bricup.org.uk ) |
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