Southampton University have cancelled anti-Israel conference, organisers claim

Website Electronic Intifada and a blog post from anti-Israel activist Ben White both published a statement signed by conference organisers Professor Oren Ben-Dor, Professor George Bisharat, Professor Suleiman Sharkh and Ms. Juman Ismail.

It stated: “It is with extreme astonishment and sadness that we have to inform you that the University of Southampton has told us earlier yesterday (30 March 2015) that it intends to withdraw its permission to hold the academic conference on international law and the State of Israel.

“We were told that the decision was taken on the grounds of health and safety: a number of groups may be demonstrating for or against the conference which could present risks to the safety of the participants, students and staff. The university claims that it does not have enough resources to mitigate the risks, despite a clear statement from the police confirming that they are able to deal with the protest and ensure the security of the event.”

The statement goes on to threaten legal action against the university.

Professor Ben-Dor confirmed that he released the statement and that he expected the university to release its own statement later today.

The three-day conference, which features anti-Zionist academics expected to challenge Israel’s legitimacy, is due to start on April 17. Protests, led by grassroots group Sussex Friends of Israel, have been planned for the final day of the event.