TEL AVIV, July 28, 2010 (WAFA)- In a letter to the Committee of University Heads in Israel, the Gush Shalom movement warned of the potential danger of the law enacted by the Knesset last week, which offers released soldiers free schooling at academic institutions located in West Bank settlements.

'You, respectable University Heads, are constantly crying out against the growing worldwide movement of academic boycott against Israeli universities - but behind your backs, it is the Government of Israel which is adding considerable impetus to this boycott,” the letter said.

“A law  on 'aid to  released soldiers' which  would also,  'help the peripheral  areas' is easily and quickly passed and  no one looks at what is hidden behind the facile words. But outside Israel, it would be well noticed that it is the 'academic' institutions' in the settlements of Ariel, Elkana and Alon Shvut which are among those given a special benefit and encouragement,” it added

“ As  if it was not enough that Israeli youths are conscripted for three years of military service, which many of them spend in daily oppression of the Palestinians, from now on they will, also after discharge from the army, be directed towards an 'academic' strengthening of the occupation, settlement and dispossession of Palestinians. This is a stain on the entire Israeli academic system plunging it  deeper into complicity with the occupation, ' Gush Shalom concluded.