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| Britain |
| Lecturers vote for Israel boycott |
| 2005-04-23 |
| The biggest university lecturers' union was accused of undermining academic freedom yesterday after voting to boycott two universities in Israel. Its 40,000 members will be told not to co-operate with academics from Haifa and Bar Ilan universities, which could mean the scrapping of joint projects. Sally Hunt, the general secretary of the Association of University Teachers (AUT), said members would be issued with guidance on how to conduct the boycott. Its ruling body will also be looking into calling a boycott of a third university, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She said the union would also be circulating a statement from Palestinian organisations calling for an academic boycott of all Israeli institutions. The decision at the union's annual conference in Eastbourne was described as "a dangerous path" by the Academic Friends of Israel. "If the sponsors of this boycotting campaign succeeded in something, it is only to undermine further progress, collaboration and peace in the Middle East," said Ronnie Fraser, its chairman. The boycott was proposed by the Birmingham branch of the union, which represents around half of the lecturers in the traditional, pre-1992 universities. Shereen Benjamin, a Jewish lecturer at Birmingham University, backed the action, saying: "Someone asked me what this has to do with the AUT. This has everything to do with the AUT. ''We are a global academic community and silence signifies approval." John Bennett, from the Open University, said it was time for the union to respond to what was happening on the West Bank. "The Palestinian cry for help should be treated as if from Nottingham or Middlesex Universities." The Israeli Embassy called the boycott "perverse". A spokesman said: "Israeli universities are beacons of academic freedom where Jews and Arabs alike study together. ''Academics should be at the forefront of international cooperation; by passing these resolutions, the AUT is doing exactly the opposite." |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #3 Looks like they are ready to add the star and cresent moon to the stationary. The UK is now offically dhimmi, not a shot fired. The Union of University Geitenneukers |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet 0’ Doom 2005-04-23 12:53:04 PM |
| #2 Sally must be Mike's sister |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-04-23 12:46:44 PM |
| #1 Next they want the Muslim flag on 10 Downing. |
| Posted by: Glereper Craviter7929 2005-04-23 12:20:47 PM |