The Coaliton for Justice and Peace in Palestine released this statement on March 7.
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Associate Professor Jake Lynch, Director of Sydney University’s Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, has been taken to the Federal Court of Australia in a legal action brought by Shurat HaDin, the Israel Law Centre, alleging racial discrimination due to his support of the Palestinian call for an academic boycott of Israel.
The claim is that Lynch is backing racist and discriminatory policies through his support for the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. These accusations are unfounded and intimidatory. They are intended to stifle free speech.
The court case against Lynch has already cost him tens of thousands of dollars — which he has had to raise himself — and may cost more as court deliberations continue.
This is a litigious case that threatens our right to democratic dissent in Australia.
Lynch said: “I am in the Federal Court to establish the right for all of us to advocate for the boycott of Israel, in protest at its militarism and lawlessness, and for the rights and freedoms of the Palestinians.
“The case is proceeding. It is going well, but there is still all to fight for, and the legal bills are mounting.
“I have already paid $30,000 of my own money and I could use your help. We have over 4000 signatures. If everyone donates a modest amount, we will be in a very good position to defeat this attack on our political freedom.”
We call on our supporters to make a donation to support the fight for our democratic rights.
[To donate, please visit: australiansforbds.wordpress.com.]