Wits University Releases Second Report on Hosting of Accused Israeli War Criminal

RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, SUPPRESSION OF PROTEST AND HOSTING OF ACCUSED ISRAELI WAR CRIMINAL AT WITS UNIVERSITY, JOHANNESBURG

- 47 PAGE REPORT OF BUDLENDER INVESTIGATION NOW AVAILABLE

Advocate Geoff Budlender’s report into the events at the Limmud conference at Wits in August this year has now been made available. Recently, an abridged version of the report was distributed by the University with crucial information having been omitted. The complete report has now been released after a meeting with the Vice Chancellor by Concerned Staff and Students.

The investigation confirmed:

- Differential treatment on the basis on race did take place at Wits University Medical School Campus on Sunday, 9th August 2009;

- Such treatment was the result of the aggressive, intimidatory and inappropriate behavior of Limmud-hired security marshals, known as the 'CSO';

- The report quotes numerous factual accounts of such treatment and the trauma experienced;

- One Wits Medical School staff member stated that the conduct of a Limmud-hired security official “made her think of the apartheid days”;

- As a result of Limmud's security's actions - which were perceived as discriminatory - and the failure of Wits University to exercise proper control over the campus, Adv. Budlender recommends that Wits does not allow such external security onto its campus again;

- Limmud was criticized for not informing the university that accused Israeli war criminal, Lt-Col. Benjamin, would be speaking,

- The report supports the position that disallowing a speaker who is regarded as highly offensive (such as Lt.-Col. Benjamin), would not violate the University’s commitment to freedom of expression;

- The report confirms that Wits University did initially attempt to prevent students from engaging in protest against the speaker;

- Further, the report finds that the protest conducted by staff and students was legitimate and should have been protected;

Please find the full and complete report, which includes detailed factual background, as well as Advocate Budlender’s assessment and recommendations, at this address:

http://web.wits.ac.za/NewsRoom/NewsItems/budlender.htm