Former Education Minister MK Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yoav Galant, in response to the High Court's decision on the Israel Prize for Prof. Oded Goldreich: "By authority but by mistake.
The boycott movement is a threat to the very existence of the State of Israel and to the character of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.
The activities of supporters of the boycott movement should be condemned, not cherished.
"Prof. Goldreich did claim to be a supporter of the boycott movement for the purpose of receiving the award, but his consistent actions over the years, such as his (including recent) actions to promote a boycott of Ariel University, are, at the very least, de facto support for the boycott movement, its goals and methods. Its action, beyond being a possible violation of state laws. "
In addition, he wrote: "It is impossible to artificially separate, for the purpose of awarding the prize, between Goldreich 'the scientist' and Goldreich 'the boycotters', especially when Goldreich's actions undermine the same Israeli academy, thanks to which he also achieved his scientific achievements. Israel to Goldreich 'the scientist', it also trains in many eyes Goldreich 'the tomorrow', loosens the hands of opponents of the boycott movement and tightens the choke loop on the neck of Ariel University.
"This is utter nonsense. If the founders of the state knew that the Israel Prize for Academic Achievement in Computer Science would be awarded to a scientist working to harm Israeli academia, they would have turned over in their graves. I hope the Minister of Education will act honestly. The award to Goldreich, and you will make the right decision morally and ethically. "
As he recalled, after revoking the former Minister of Education's decision, the High Court yesterday (Thursday) ordered that the decision be transferred back to Education Minister Shasha Bitton for a decision. The researcher's actions are isolated, and were mostly done many years ago.