Stephen Hawking Boycotting Israel

We'd heard rumors but now full report: The famed, almost iconic, scientists announces he will pull out of conference in Israel and is boycotting the country over its policies re: Palestinians.  "The academic and cultural boycott, organized by international activists to protest Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians, is a heated and contentious issue; having Dr. Hawking join it is likely to help the anti-Israel campaigners significantly. Never has a scientist of this stature boycotted Israel,' said Yigal Palmor, the spokesman for Israel’s Foreign Ministry."