London

Palestinian academics this week demanded the dismissal of Sari Nusseibeh, president of Al-Quds University in Jerusalem, for signing a statement with an Israeli university president condemning the Association of University Teachers' boycott of two Israeli universities. The academic co-operation agreement signed in London last week by Professor Nusseibeh and Menachem Magidor, president of Hebrew University, says: "Our disaffection with, and condemnation of, acts of academic boycotts and discrimination against scholars and institutions is predicated on the principles of academic freedom, human rights and equality between nations and among individuals." The Palestinian Union of University Teachers and Employees accused Professor Nusseibeh of "normalising relations with the Sharon Government".