US scientist gives Israeli prize to Palestinians

[DogPoundPup]

A Brown University professor said Monday that he is donating his share of a prestigious Israeli mathematics prize to advance the education of Palestinian students.

David Mumford said he would donate his $33,333 portion of the Wolf Prize to a Palestinian university and an Israeli group that tries to ease Israeli travel restrictions on Palestinian students. He said he believes freedom of movement is crucial to intellectual development.

"I feel strongly that mathematics is an international enterprise, and it's really grown up essentially in every country. ... It's really important that everyone have access to higher education, to the international community where mathematics is being carried on," Mumford told The Associated Press.

He received the award at a ceremony Sunday at Israel's parliament in recognition of his groundbreaking theoretical work in algebraic geometry.

The beneficiaries are Bir Zeit University, the West Bank's flagship university, and Gisha, an Israeli organization that works to protect the rights of Palestinian students in the Gaza Strip.

For several years, Israel — citing security considerations — has banned most Palestinians from leaving the Gaza Strip. This has forced hundreds of Palestinian students to abandon or postpone university studies outside the tiny seaside territory — even if they have full scholarships to schools in Europe or the U.S. or simply want to travel the 25 miles to Palestinian universities in the West Bank.

The contrast between what goes on in Israel and what goes on in the Palestinian areas is "striking," with Israelis able "to travel freely to meetings and graduate students going wherever they please," he said.

"It seems to me in the Palestinian areas, this isn't the case," he said. "I felt very much that it was really carrying out the spirit of Wolf's own wishes to further education in all the areas of Palestine.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/05/26/international/i053206D00.DTL&type=politics

[ProgressiveMuslim]

1. Awesome!! nt

[sellitman]

2. Maybe if they stopped hiding bombs on their civilians

They would be able to move around freely?

What a bunch of crap.

[aquart]

6. In the first decades after partition...

The "Palestinians" used their aid money for education. They sent their people to universities all over the world. They were known to be the best-educated people in the Arab world. They provided their own scholarships for their people.

Then their leadership decided they had other uses for the money. One of their projects was embassies for their cause. Embassies in 96 countries and the UN. There has never yet been an embassy in a cheap rent part of town.

A couple of decades ago, the NYT devoted several pages to charting "Palestinian" money. Haven't heard much about it since. Reason dictates they did an audit when Arafat died, but did they?

The "Palestinians" made conscious choices about how to spend their money. The "progressive" viewpoint is that everything that has happened to those people is the fault of Israel. "Palestinians" could be making their point as outstanding academics in universities all over the world, but their leadership chose other priorities.

I always find it funny that nobody notices that the "Palestinian" homeland is, in fact, Arabia, as is obvious in their language, religion, and customs. But that's an oil country. Repatriation to Arabia would mean sharing the Arab oil money. If I were a Saudi, I'd kick in a few bucks to prevent that. Which they did.

On edit: did the generous academic so cavalierly donating his prize money give anything to any Egyptian group for the purpose of opening THEIR borders? Isn't it odd that the Egyptians could have free intercourse with the "Palestinians," but choose not to. Yet only the Israelis are condemned for it?

[azurnoir]

8. You make a point

I always find it funny that nobody notices that the "Palestinian" homeland is, in fact, Arabia, as is obvious in their language, religion, and customs

Yes every nation and territory who's primary language is Arabic should return to Arabia, not to mention any nation or territory who claims English as their primary language should be immediately "returned" to the UK, the same goes for or French and Spanish, why we could clear out some of the most overcrowded area's on Earth that way, don't you think?

Unless of course Palestinians were a "singular" case.

[AnOhioan]

3. Kudos to Professor Mumford

[LeftishBrit]

4. Good for him...

I support this sort of constructive action; much better than academic boycotts!

[DMCarter]

5. Kudos

This is the most heartwarming article i've read in a long time.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. Thank you, Professor Mumford

Helping Palestinians in a positive manner, opening up their opportunities, will help strengthen the hands of those who want a peaceful solution.

[azurnoir]

9. Wonderful move n/t