Politicians slam Israel boycott
Labour and Conservative MPs have today condemned the University College Unions decision to back a motion which could lead to an academic boycott of Israel.
The motion, passed by a vast majority at the union’s conference in Manchester yesterday, calls for members “to consider the moral and political implications of educational links with Israeli institutions, and to discuss the occupation with individuals and institutions concerned, including Israeli colleagues with whom they are collaborating".
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Instead of fighting for the terms and conditions of its members it would rather make headlines pursuing what will effectively constitute an illegal boycott of academics and trade unionists. This motion leaves the Union and individual members open to disciplinary action under the very race equality legislation that the union itself lobbied to create.
"Boycotts do nothing to bring about peace and reconciliation in the Middle East but leave Jewish students, academics and their associates isolated and victimised on UK University campuses.
The All-Party Group is determined to work with all right-minded groups and individuals to defeat this attack on academic freedom."
John Spellar, Labour MP for Warley a former National Officer for the Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications and Plumbing Union, added, "It is a matter of great regret that the UCU has passed this motion which runs contrary to the views of ordinary members and against principles of academic freedom."
Shadow Education Secretary Michael Gove said: "An academic boycott of Israel makes neither moral nor intellectual sense. Israel is an open society, a democracy and a nation which values the free exchange of ideas in a region where freedom is under threat. All those who believe in free speech, free inquiry and free institutions should be supportive of Israel's academics.
"The singling out of Israel for a boycott of this kind when there is no boycott of other countries, which are not democracies and which practise repression, curb free speech and limit academic inquiry, must raise questions about the nature of the prejudice animating this campaign."
David Willetts, Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, said: "It is entirely wrong to be threatening academic boycotts of Israel. It is a threat to the high principles of academic freedom to be caught up in such anti-Israel campaigns, and will do nothing to help peace in the region."
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