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promotion" of several members should be taken seriously. But it can be handled with reason and care if the promotion committees are fully apprised of the situation and weigh Pappe's charges, expressed in anger and under duress, with evidence that demonstrates individual merit. The university would need to trust the academic process and committee members to be fair and not give undue emphasis to Pappe's version of events.
I will conclude by stating that the rights and values of academic freedom must be maintained under any circumstances. But especially in the present case, Pappe's freedom to express himself must be guaranteed with special vigilance. Otherwise it would appear that a faction at Haifa University wants to expel Dr. Pappe for defending a student and a thesis that exposes Israeli aggression against Palestinians. For Artzi to call for expulsion of Pappe indicates an unwillingness to tolerate critical speech. But that is a core value and right of scholars across the globe, no matter what their political beliefs. I urge you not to succumb to pressure to expel Dr. Pappe.
Sincerely,
Professor Tony Rosso
Southern Connecticut SU
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