Dear friend,
Following the publication this week of the preliminary agenda for UCU Congress, we would like to bring you up to date with latest developments in the campaign against an academic boycott of Israel.
UCU Boycott Motion
- UCU has now formally published the initial motions document for their Congress.
- The document contains a motion to boycott Israeli academics.
- The motion can still have amendments proposed by UCU branches.
- You can read the full motions document here.
Next Steps
- The Stop the Boycott campaign has confirmed that it will instruct expert lawyers to obtain an opinion on the legality of this boycott motion.
- Last year's boycott motion was ruled unlawful by the Union after it obtained its own advice, which UCU has refused to publish.
- Several UCU members have already asked to be part of any future action.
- If you are a UCU member and are interested in possible action, email campaign2008@stoptheboycott.org
- We have also set up a fighting fund to help pay for the legal work - donate by credit card through paypal by clicking here, or email campaign2008@stoptheboycott.org for other ways to give!
- Speaking for Stop the Boycott, Jeremy Newmark said
"The attitude of the UCU leadership is utterly irresponsible. The President and General Secretary have allowed a situation to emerge in which UCU's policy is decided by the Central Committee of the Socialist Workers Party. In the face of its own legal advice, it is shameful that UCU would press ahead with a discredited and discriminatory policy.
We are now seeking legal advice on this new boycott move, to empower regular UCU members in their attempt to force the Union to abandon this destructive course of action. This is something that many UCU members have asked us to do. "
- Lorna Fitzsimons, speaking for Stop the Boycott, said
"UCU seems to have an obsession with boycotting Israel. The Union's credibility has almost run out; it is behaving like a fool repeating the same mistakes over and over again. Boycotts are obviously discriminatory, as the UCU's own advice confirmed. This boycott move puts new obstacles between Israelis and Palestinians and hurts the cause of peace."
Other news - UCU Palestinian Lecturers Tour
- UCU are bringing four Palestinian academics for a tour of union branches.
- The tour includes Lisa Taraki, co-founder of the international pro-boycott organisation, PACBI.
- The meetings are for UCU members only.
- Most of the meetings take place next week, with several on the second day of Passover, which means observant Jewish lecturers are unable to attend.
- Full details of the tour are on the UCU website here.
