What's this blog about?

As a result of a combination of factors, culminating in the shameful UCU boycott-in-waiting of Israel, I've grown alienated & silenced, working here in one of the UK's finest universities all the while feeling like a Boycotted British Academic, alone in facing some dilemmas of the moment. In this generally chilling environment, it's hard to speak out and be heard, and hear others...and I find myself writing this blog.

What's it about? At present, it seems to me like a rather tortured articulation of the state of being silenced & mute, beyond words; struggling for the right even to use them, for a voice which can still be heard. When it started, all those successive boycott motions ago, I'd hoped it would function as a blog forum of support & solidarity amongst academics similarly-situated to BBA, to help us break through the boycott movement's silencing strategies. That hope remains notwithstanding this silence... Perhaps it lives in trying to articulate beyond the filter of these coping mechanisms of old (denial, avoidance, withdrawal); by way of this labour of finding the words, this voice...
[A forum of sorts has also arisen in the blog's comments, in which others have adopted the BBA moniker in case of need (e.g. here and here exposing the racist hate speech which masquerades as UCU solidarity activism).]

Friday 16 November 2007

Passing the Tebbit Test: Come on Israel!

Over here in Boycott Land, the contradiction or irony of the moment is that presently every one seems to be rooting for Israel. Well, that's one way to drive the boycotters bonkers - I should say, even more bonkers!

They must be incensed at how our air-waves are dominated by the cry: Come on Israel! The only talk is of Israel being victorious and winning the fight. At every bulletin, Israel is being cheered on; at half-hourly intervals, we hear of fingers being crossed for Israel. The Hatikvah has been blaring out from the radio. The tabloid press are handing out free Israel flags and giving tips on how to be a true & authentic Israel supporter... All together now, Yallah Israel!

The reason: England is looking unlikely to qualify for Euro 2008 unless, and here's the twist, Israel wins its upcoming qualification round against Russia (even a draw will keep alive England's chances). Israel has already been eliminated from the competition and can no longer qualify, whatever the outcome of the match against Russia (thanks in no small measure to - er - England, which trounced the Israel team 3:0 when they played at Wembley this summer, in midst boycotting madness). Such are the stakes that the football equivalent of the barmy army are even reported to have travelled out to Israel again to support 'their' team against Russia, having so much enjoyed the visit for England's away qualification game against Israel earlier in the year (in which the teams drew a love game)!

UPDATE

Israel did England a massive favour:

!!! Israel: 2 -- Russia: 1 !!!

A favour in return for ... all those boycotts, threatened and on-going (silently & otherwise)???
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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well done israel - they deserved their victory. Not sure if England really deserve it, but I can't see the boycotters being big fans of the England team - so - Come on England!

18 November 2007 at 19:50
Boycotted British Academic said...

Hi Pliers!

I'll be rooting for England on Wed. I'm only also sorry that Scotland couldn't get through on Saturday...

19 November 2007 at 01:12
Boycotted British Academic said...

1/2 time report:

England looks like it's going to squander the favour.

At one point, the commentator spoke during the disasterous first half about how Israeli players derserve to get a knighthood if England makes it through this match against Crotia. I guess that could be another thing from which W&M can draw their preposterous conclusions!

21 November 2007 at 21:14

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