A tale of two boycotts
Britisha " comprehensive and consistent boycott" of all Israeli academic institutions, as called for by Palestinian trade unions in response to Israel's "40-year occupation" of Palestinian land. And the Vatican is calling on Catholics everywhere to in response to AI's .
Two protests by powerful organisations, in their own spheres, and both are the subject of enormous moral debate. Wouldn't a boycott of all Israeli institutions harm pro-Palestinian voices as much as any others? And wouldn't a boycott of Amnesty International by Catholic organisations seriously imperil the work of human rights across the world (work that is central to much of the Catholic Church mission)?
In both cases, it could be argued, the protesting groups risk cutting off their noses to spite their faces. On the other hand, some Palestinians have called on British academics to impose these sanctions, and some leading figures within Amnesty have argued that the organisation had no business getting into the deeply divisive political and religious debate about abortion in the first place.
Neither protest is without complexity, but surely the likely consequence of these boycotts is the key to determining whether they make any sense. Would a boycott of Israeli institutions by British academics advance the goal of a just settlement in the middle east -- or will it merely penalise Israeli academics with little or no political influence? And would a wholesale withdrawal from Amnesty International of financial support and organisational cooperation by the Catholic Church and by individual Catholics tend help to build a fairer and safer world for children everywhere?
Comments
I didn't have a standing order for Amnesty until today. I'm going into my bank tomorrow to make a 10 pound per month payment to Amnesty. I'm a catholic and I think it is a disgrace that the vatican would suggest this tactic. Amnesty do very important work, and Will you are right to say that their work is in line with Catholic mission. I disagree with abortion but this strategy is not the way to deal with the issue. As I understand it, Amnesty still do not endorse abortion and they are working to reduce the supposed need for abortions. In this new policy they are simply dealing with the reality of sexual violence against women. I appeal to all catholics to read what amnesty is actually doing before deciding on your own response to this.
The obvious answer is for Amnesty to change their policy, and to recognise that abortion is the ultimate child abuse.
In the Amnesty press release it says: "We hope that Amnesty International's work against torture, against the death penalty and for the proper administration of justice including for women and girls will continue to draw active support from people of conviction the world over," [emphasis mine]
Surely abortion is the ultimate death penalty against the most innocent of all humanity. What a mess they've got themselves into.
Abortion is the modern equivalent to child sacrifice, only now days it is to the god of materialism and the selfish nature, rather than to some pagan idol.
You have got to give it to the Roman Catholic church, at least they have the courage of their convictions, unlike many other "Christ Followers".
I'm on the verge of boycotting Eurabia anyway. One more small incentive and that's it. We don't call 'em Eurotrash here for nothing. I already won't buy anything from several countries like France, Germany and anything else to do with old europe.
I wonder if Alan Johnston is as pro Palestinian as he once was. He's had a few months of their "hospitatlity" recently to think about it.
Europeans don't need an excuse to demonstrate their antisemitism. After more than a thousand years of it it's become ingrained it their genes. I sometimes wonder why we liberated Europe from the Nazis instead of just burning the whole place down and being rid of it once and for all.
I am a former very active member of Amnesty International, who is deeply disturbed by the new policy. I have followed this "consultation" very closely. In its official documentation for its members, AI made NO attempt to take a long, hard and objective look at abortion. NO concrete facts about the types and methods of abortion or prolife arguments were presented in this documentation. No presentation was made with regard to the women and men suffering the aftermath of abortion; studies showing clear links between depression, suicide and abortion. If Amnesty was faithful to its original mission it would be doing all in its power to expose the inherent violence of abortion for the unborn, women and society at large. It would also be working to change attitudes with regard to the women who have been raped and ostracized and working for the provision of life-affirming protection and support.
It is also the case that Amnesty did not want this news to get out as their letter to its volunteer leaders made very clear (20 April). Anyone wishing to learn more would be advised to read "Amnesty for Abortion?" at www.katolsk.fo (English).Finally, I congratulate Amnesty Ireland on resisitng this change in policy. Courage!
I am a former very active member of Amnesty International, who is deeply disturbed by the new policy. I have followed this "consultation" very closely. In its official documentation for its members, AI made NO attempt to take a long, hard and objective look at abortion. NO concrete facts about the types and methods of abortion or prolife arguments were presented in this documentation. No presentation was made with regard to the women and men suffering the aftermath of abortion; studies showing clear links between depression, suicide and abortion. If Amnesty was faithful to its original mission it would be doing all in its power to expose the inherent violence of abortion for the unborn, women and society at large. It would also be working to change attitudes with regard to the women who have been raped and ostracized and working for the provision of life-affirming protection and support.
It is also the case that Amnesty did not want this news to get out as their letter to its volunteer leaders made very clear (20 April). Anyone wishing to learn more would be advised to read "Amnesty for Abortion?" at www.katolsk.fo (English).Finally, I congratulate Amnesty Ireland on resisitng this change in policy. Courage!
I am a former very active member of Amnesty International, who is deeply disturbed by the new policy. I have followed this "consultation" very closely. In its official documentation for its members, AI made NO attempt to take a long, hard and objective look at abortion. NO concrete facts about the types and methods of abortion or prolife arguments were presented in this documentation. No presentation was made with regard to the women and men suffering the aftermath of abortion; studies showing clear links between depression, suicide and abortion. If Amnesty was faithful to its original mission it would be doing all in its power to expose the inherent violence of abortion for the unborn, women and society at large. It would also be working to change attitudes with regard to the women who have been raped and ostracized and working for the provision of life-affirming protection and support.
It is also the case that Amnesty did not want this news to get out as their letter to its volunteer leaders made very clear (20 April). Anyone wishing to learn more would be advised to read "Amnesty for Abortion?" at www.katolsk.fo (English).Finally, I congratulate Amnesty Ireland on resisitng this change in policy. Courage!
It is not unfortunately not surprising at the stance taken by dogmatic catholicism vs amnesty international. Yet again they love an organisation until it conflicts in any way with their views. Whatever your opinion of abortion it is for a woman to decide. Not you, not me and certainly not the Pope. The Church seeks to enforce its narrow view on others who may wholly disagree with it. This shows catholic tolerance for the lie that it is, seeking to pressure and blackmail vulnerable abused women. preventing them from even getting information that would enable them to make their own informed decision. Shame on anyone who colludes with the Church.