Statement from Sarah Nuttall and Achille Mbembe on “Recognition, Reparation, Reconciliation” Conference (Stellenbosch University)

Statement from Sarah Nuttall and Achille Mbembe on “Recognition, Reparation, Reconciliation” Conference (Stellenbosch University)

We, like a large number of South African and international scholars, firmly oppose Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and support the boycott as a non-violent strategy for ending the occupation.

We have sympathy for those Israeli academics whose own work as well as political positions are critical of the Israeli occupation and who as such, are in dispute with their respective institutions or, in some cases, ostracised.

We let the organisers know this morning that we would have no option but to withdraw from the conference if a satisfactory agreement was not found between the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and the Organising Committee. A short while ago, we were informed by the organisers that the Israeli speakers who were on the programme have rescinded their participation at the conference and for this reason, we are open to participating in the conference.

Sarah Nuttall and Achille Mbembe

November 27, 2018