Defend Ilan Pappe's
Academic Freedom
Passed May 30, 2002
Whereas The West Haven Federation of Teachers and School Nurses is concerned that the University of Haifa may dismiss tenured professor Dr. Ilan Pappe for his vigorous defense of a Haifa University's student Master's Thesis about the 1948 war and because of his controversial political views.
Be It Resolved that the Federation will write to the President of Haifa University and will state its view that academic freedom allows staff to hold unpopular views and to express them in ways that might offend other members of the university.
The Federation will express its concern that the complaint against Dr. Ilan Pappe apparently violates his academic freedom and would like to hear Haifa University's explanation of the case.
The Federation will raise the matter with the American Federation of Teachers and report back on AFT actions.
[The union local is a member of the AFT and the AFL-CIO]
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Resolution to AFT National Convention
In a separate resolution the union voted to submit a resolution similar to the one above for consideration by this summer's AFT national convention.
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This resolution can be a model for other unions and professional organizations
