Unthinkable Thoughts

In 2009, an international conference exploring models of statehood for Israel, and Palestine was held at Toronto's York University. The conference became a cause célèbre when extraordinary pressures were exerted on organizers and university administrators by pro-Israel lobby groups, private university donors, members of the academic community, and even the federal government. Although the conference itself was uneventful, the lead-up roiled Canadian academia and society, provoking a controversy that raised major issues regarding academic freedom. This book covers the events from the perspective of one of the conference organizers. Based on her own experiences and communications, as well as drawing from confidential emails released under Freedom of Information legislation, Susan Drummond offers a behind-the-scenes, insider's look at what happened and the implications for academic freedom.