Australian academic Matthew Champion rejected an open letter from over 100 lecturers and activists demanding he boycott the international Dan David Prize, a prestigious $500,000 history award co-granted by Tel Aviv University. Colleagues accused him of 'normalizing genocide' by accepting it; Champion faces an aggressive pressure campaign.
Australian academic Matthew Champion, a history scholar, is under fierce attack from colleagues after refusing to boycott the international Dan David Prize, which he won. The prize, valued at $500,000, is co-granted by Tel Aviv University and is among the most prestigious awards in the field of history.
Over 100 lecturers and activists signed an open letter accusing Champion of 'normalizing genocide'—a reference to Israel—by accepting the prize. Champion rejected the demand and now faces an aggressive pressure campaign from his peers, including personal attacks and public shaming. As The Zioneer reported moments earlier, the campaign is ongoing and has drawn attention to the broader academic boycott movement against Israeli institutions.
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