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| Tuesday, June 24, 2008 |
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| British Vote for
Academic Boycott of Israel, Again. |
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British academics approve the modern equivalent
of book burnings
The University and College
Union, a British academic association, voted in favor of an academic boycott of
Israel, which is essentially the modern day equivalent of book burnings.
Although the resolution, see below, does not
explicitly use the word 'boycott', it still calls for a boycott by the fact
that it calls upon its members to questions the "appropriateness of continued
educational links with Israeli academic institutions" and it calls for
"twinning arrangements and other direct solidarity with Palestinian
institutions."
Britain's AUT, the
Association of University
Teachers, previously called for a boycott of Israel, so this is nothing new
for the British, but it does reinforce the standing of the 120,000 member
organization, as it passed overwhelmingly.
Fred
Taub, the President of Boycott Watch responded "It is very dangerous when
teachers decide to boycott ideas, which is essentially what an academic boycott
is. Teachers, professors and researchers advance society when they exchange
ideas - this boycott, therefore, says British academics would see people die
rather than share medical information which may lead to cures for diseases, for
example. It is a sad day for the world and society in general."
The following is the text of the UCU resolution
calling for the academic boycott of Israel:
25 - Composite:
Palestine and the occupation University of Brighton - Eastbourne, University of
Brighton - Grand Parade, University of East London Docklands, National
Executive Committee Congress notes the
1. continuation of illegal
settlement, killing of civilians and the impossibility of civil life, including
education
2. humanitarian catastrophe imposed on Gaza by Israel and
the EU
3. apparent complicity of most of the Israeli academy
4. legal attempts to prevent UCU debating boycott of Israeli academic
institutions; and legal advice that such debates are lawful Congress affirms
that
5. criticism of Israel or Israeli policy are not, as such,
anti-semitic;
6. pursuit and dissemination of knowledge are not
uniquely immune from their moral and political consequences;
Congress
resolves that
7. colleagues be asked 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;
8. UCU widely
disseminate the personal testimonies of UCU and PFUUPE delegations to Palestine
and the UK, respectively;
9. the testimonies will be used to promote a
wide discussion by colleagues of the appropriateness of continued educational
links with Israeli academic institutions;
10. UCU facilitate and
encourage twinning arrangements and other direct solidarity with Palestinian
institutions;
11. Ariel College, an explicitly colonising institution
in the West Bank, be investigated under the formal Greylisting Procedure.
CARRIED |
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