I didn't sign the Fields medallists' letter

Timothy Gowers, a mathematician and Fields Medal winner, explains why he chose not to sign a letter from other Fields Medal winners criticizing the International Mathematical Union (IMU) for its handling of the 2019 controversy surrounding the organization's support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. He argues that the letter's tone and language were too divisive and did not effectively address the issues. Gowers also expresses his respect for the signatories' right to free speech and freedom of expression, but feels that the letter's approach may have been counterproductive.