Here, in translation, is a billet doux in his honour, sent by a bunch of Israel-bashing "intellectuels, enseignants et chercheurs français" to the Australian Ambassador to France:
"We, French teachers, academics, researchers and intellectuals, wish to inform you of our support for Prof. Jake Lynch (of Sydney University), who has been subjected to legal proceedings by Israel, for refusing to collaborate with the Israeli occupier.
The lack of sanctions against Israel at government level to enforce international law and stop the Israeli occupation and colonisation, leads responsible citizens of every country to support the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) campaign, demanded by the Palestinian civil society.
Any self-respecting intellectual has even more moral duties in this domain, inasmuch as she/he has the potential for knowledge and reflection, allowing her/him to act for the defence of Human Rights and against barbarism.
We are pleased that no Australian organisation or institution joined in these slanderous attacks launched by Israel against Prof. Jake Lynch, Director of Sydney University’s Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPACS).
Incidentally, these attacks deny the freedom of expression and opinion to an academic all the more respected because he has been acting as did before him the men and women who made possible the abolition of segregation in the United States, during the African American struggle for black civil rights, and in South Africa during Apartheid.
Reminder : In 2009, Professor Lynch wrote to the Australian university authorities, asking them to stop collaborating with the Technion University of Haifa and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, because of the systematic oppression of the Palestinian people, against which these universities have never protested, despite the fact that the Palestinian academics are the direct victims.
In 2012, Professor Lynch refused the permission to use his name on an application under the Sir Zelman Cowen fellowship program. He refused to sponsor Professor Don Avon of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem which is heavily involved in occupation and colonisation.
For example, this university did not hesitate to extend its campus on Mount Scopus, by stealing Palestinian lands. Furthermore, it supported the students who took part in the massacre of the Gaza population during the 2008-2009 “Cast Lead” operation. It is also involved with the Army Command College and collaborates widely with Israeli arms industries.
It is therefore clear that Prof. Jake Lynch who is perfectly entitled to choose whom he should sponsor, is not guilty of any “discrimination” (one must cease to reverse roles), and that the complaint lodged by the Israeli law firm Shurat HaDin at the Australian Federal Tribunal, is simply an attempt at intimidation. It is to be noted that Prof. Dan Avnon is not a complainant in this case !
Jake Lynch has already received the support of nearly 2,000 intellectuals and academics throughout the world.
As French intellectuals, teachers and researchers, we too were anxious to tell you about our support and our respect for Prof. Jake Lynch."Read more, and see pictures of a Parisian rally in support of Lynch, here
From an article in the Australian Jewish News earlier this month by academic and B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich:
