Education Minister slams UCU Israeli boycott motion
Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell has today called on university lecturers not to boycott Israeli academics.
Speaking at the University and College Union's (UCU) annual congress in Manchester, Mr Rammell said:
"Let me be clear - you are entitled to decide your policy. But I have to tell you I profoundly disagree with cutting links with Israeli academics. That doesn't mean people can't, or shouldn't criticise Israeli government decisions and policies."
Mr Rammell's comments follow the UCU passing a motion on Wednesday that would allow for the introduction of a boycott of Israeli academics and academic institutions.
"Academic boycotts are the complete antithesis of academic freedom. Boycotting academics because of their nationality I find deeply disturbing. And there is no evidence that such a strategy would further the cause of peace in the Middle East.", he said.
"When I visited Israel and the Palestine occupied territories last year I met Palestinians like the Vice Chancellor of Al-Quds University who were totally apposed to a boycott.
"I met Israeli academics engaged in welfare projects for Palestinians in the occupied territories. Would we want to cut ourselves of initiatives like that?
In my experience there are in Israel and the occupied territories both progressive and reactionaries. And the problem is with boycotts is that they make the job of the progressives more difficult, and they reinforce of the position of reactionaries.
"It's your decision but I would urge you to think again."
Commenting on Mr Rammell's comments Jeremy Newmark, Joint Head of the Stop the Boycott Campaign, said:
"We welcome the Minister's endorsement of our argument.
"Sally Hunt must now face up to the fact that the Government think they must dump this policy; their wider membership think they should dump this policy; their lawyer recommend that they dump this policy; most academics and vice-chancellors think they should dump this policy and many Palestinians think they should dump this policy.
"In passing this discriminatory motion the UCU now stands apart from most of the UK academic community, and those people who seek to provide genuine help to the Palestinians."
