Major Israel Academic Institute Threatens To Fire Programmer For The Orange Patch of the Star of David

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"The Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot is threatening to dismiss Igor Pecharsky, a programmer in the molecular genetics department, because he wears a patch with an orange Star of David on his lapel. The administration sees this as provocation necessitating a response, even going so far as to dismiss him without compensation. A warning letter was delivered by messenger to Pecharsky and is to take effect today.

Pecharsky told Haaretz he has no intention of removing the patch, out of his devotion to the principle, and specifically because the request reminds him of "very dark days in the Soviet Union." Pecharsky, 36, emigrated from St. Petersburg 11 years ago, and has been working at the Weizmann Institute for just over a year. He started wearing the patch, which he attached to an ID tag like those worn at conferences, after he realized that it was a personal choice of individuals and not an organized plan of action of the Yesha Council of Settlements in Judea, Samaria and Gaza as part of its struggle against the disengagement. Since then he has been summoned for talks to clarify the situation, but he refused to take off the orange Star of David.

In a letter sent two days ago under the heading, "Severe disciplinary violation - final warning," Weizmann Institute vice president for administration and finance Gad Kober wrote: "For quite some time, Institute employees in the building where you work as well as beyond it have been complaining that the orange patch you wear disturbs their regular work. This behavior on the premises of the Institute, which is perceived as a desire to demonstrate a clear political position, is incompatible with the Institute's long history of not allowing political statements on its premises. In addition, this act is a provocation aimed at those who do not identify with your position, is offensive to them, and distracts them and thereby disrupts their work. It is not needless to say that every day dozens of guests from Israel and abroad visit the Institute, who are also exposed to this act." Later on the letter describes the talks with Pecharsky conducted in the past, and concludes with a threat of dismissal: "You are hereby given a final warning and are asked to remove the patch within 24 hours of receiving this letter. Should you fail to do so, the Institute will take action against you, including terminating your employment and canceling dismissal compensation and the need for advance notice."

Pecharsky told Haaretz that he had not heard from any Holocaust survivors about offense caused them, something that he would have taken into consideration. He claims the whole affair boils down to a debate over political views, with the Weizmann Institute administration expressing the view that there is only one legitimate political position in Israel. He rejects the prevailing taboo in Israeli society against using the Holocaust and its symbols. "I'm familiar with that, and it scares me," says Pecharsky. "There was in the Soviet Union at one time a similar taboo against using Jewish symbols."According to him, even though, for economic reasons, it would be better for him to remove the patch, he has no intention of doing so now. The ultimatum given to him takes effect today."

Source: Lily Galili. Weizmann Institute threatens to fire programmer for wearing orange patch. Haaretz Daily (24 March 2005) [FullText] [BBC Quote]