British historian Catherine Hall rejects £225,000 Israeli award for ‘political’ reasons
By Gabriel
Samuels, The Independent, 24 May 2016. Academic snubs
prominent prize following lengthy discussions about the
Israel-Palestine conflict
Samuels, The Independent, 24 May 2016. Academic snubs
prominent prize following lengthy discussions about the
Israel-Palestine conflict
Professor Hall turned down the £225,000 prize for political reasons UCL
A prominent British historian has
rejected an Israeli academic prize worth hundreds of thousands of
pounds after engaging in “many discussions” about the Israel-Palestine
conflict.
rejected an Israeli academic prize worth hundreds of thousands of
pounds after engaging in “many discussions” about the Israel-Palestine
conflict.
Professor Catherine Hall from University College
London turned down the £225,000 research award, describing her decision as “an
independent political choice”.
London turned down the £225,000 research award, describing her decision as “an
independent political choice”.
Professor Hall, who specialises in
colonial history, was due to be presented with the prize from the Dan
David Foundation during a ceremony in Tel Aviv on Sunday night but declined to
attend.
colonial history, was due to be presented with the prize from the Dan
David Foundation during a ceremony in Tel Aviv on Sunday night but declined to
attend.
It is believed she was motivated to reject the award
after talking with the Palestinian boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS)
movement against Israel, which several prominent British academics have become
involved in since its launch in 2005.
after talking with the Palestinian boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS)
movement against Israel, which several prominent British academics have become
involved in since its launch in 2005.
It was announced in February that Professor Hall, also
a feminist political activist, would be this year’s recipient of the award.
a feminist political activist, would be this year’s recipient of the award.
In a statement published on the British
Committee for Universities of Palestine (BRICUP) Facebook page, Hall said: “I have withdrawn
from the prize – this was an independent political choice.
Committee for Universities of Palestine (BRICUP) Facebook page, Hall said: “I have withdrawn
from the prize – this was an independent political choice.
“[It was] undertaken after many discussions with those
who are deeply involved with the politics of Israel-Palestine, but with
differing views as to how best to act.”
who are deeply involved with the politics of Israel-Palestine, but with
differing views as to how best to act.”
BRICUP meanwhile claimed Professor Hall’s decision was
“a significant endorsement of the campaign to end ties with Israeli
institutions”, saying she had “placed principle above financial gain.”
“a significant endorsement of the campaign to end ties with Israeli
institutions”, saying she had “placed principle above financial gain.”
The Dan David award was launched in 2002 by late
entrepreneur and philanthropist Dan David and is one of Israel’s most
prestigious academic prizes.
entrepreneur and philanthropist Dan David and is one of Israel’s most
prestigious academic prizes.
Winners are awarded in three fields –
Past, Present and Future –and Hall was due to be given this year’s ‘Past’
prize for her pioneering of gender history research.
Past, Present and Future –and Hall was due to be given this year’s ‘Past’
prize for her pioneering of gender history research.
Organisers said that cash winnings from the award will
instead be distributed as grants for young history students at Tel Aviv
University and across the globe.
instead be distributed as grants for young history students at Tel Aviv
University and across the globe.
Ariel David from the foundation’s
administrative board said: “This will give Israelis of all backgrounds,
whether Jewish or Arab, as a well as international scholars, the opportunity to
meet at this beautiful campus and engage in academic discussion, research and discovery.”
administrative board said: “This will give Israelis of all backgrounds,
whether Jewish or Arab, as a well as international scholars, the opportunity to
meet at this beautiful campus and engage in academic discussion, research and discovery.”
The Independent has contacted Professor Hall for comment.
