More Bullshit from Some British Bulldogs
Some time ago I wrote a commentary about the efforts of academics in Britain to boycott Israeli academics (view article). It seems that some in the U.K. have not been discouraged to give up this absurd campaign as the University and College Union of Britain (UCU) has again adopted anti-Israel measures in their most recent congressional session. They continue to wage a war that is not in the least bit necessary and their most current attempt emphasizes the depths into which some of British academia has slipped. Text from the resolution follows though the full document can be found here. I added the UCU’s position towards Cuba just to give you a sense of the sort of people we are talking about here. Judging by the resolution on Cuba one would think Fidel Castro presides over the congress. The UCU is comprised of about 120,000 people affiliated in some way with academics in Britain, presumably educated people. British institutions have long been known for the quality of their scholarship however I for one am glad to be receiving a serious education under the supervision of serious scholars in Israel. Note the issue on Israel followed Darfur…coincidence??
20 – Cuba Solidarity Northumbria University
Congress notes:
- the tremendous progress that has been made at all levels in education and health in Cuba since the revolution in 1959
- that these achievements are even more remarkable given the unremitting hostility that Cuba has faced from its hugely more powerful neighbour, the USA
Congress
- agrees to play a full part in events marking the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, celebrating the huge gains the Cuban people have made
- condemns the British government for its continuing support of the US strategy to isolate Cuba and reverse the socialist revolution
- calls for the release of the Miami 5 who were not guilty of espionage but were only monitoring anti-Cuban espionage groups
- resolves to increase our support for the activities of Cuba Solidarity Campaign.
CARRIED
24 – Darfur Lambeth College
This Congress agrees to work with unions, students, Darfurian and refugee communities, and other concerned organisations to bring pressure to bear on the government to speak out against atrocities in Darfur and the Chinese government’s complicity with the Khartoum regime, and to allow Darfurian asylum seekers the right to remain in this country free from threat of deportation to Khartoum with the real possibility of torture or death that holds.
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
25A.1 University College London
- Delete point 3.
- Point 8: After respectively; Add ‘and statements from Israeli academics and British academics who have links with Israel’
- Point 9: After appropriateness. delete ‘of’ and add ‘for and against’.
- Add a new final point 12 (will become 11 if 3 is deleted):
‘No decision on cutting educational links with Israeli academic institutions will be made without a ballot of all members.’
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DancesWithCamels 
Filed under: Al-Wahsh: The monster of commentary | Tags: Academic Boycott of Israel, British Academics, Bullshit, UCU
Some time ago I wrote a commentary about the efforts of academics in Britain to boycott Israeli academics (view article). It seems that some in the U.K. have not been discouraged to give up this absurd campaign as the University and College Union of Britain (UCU) has again adopted anti-Israel measures in their most recent congressional session. They continue to wage a war that is not in the least bit necessary and their most current attempt emphasizes the depths into which some of British academia has slipped. Text from the resolution follows though the full document can be found here. I added the UCU’s position towards Cuba just to give you a sense of the sort of people we are talking about here. Judging by the resolution on Cuba one would think Fidel Castro presides over the congress. The UCU is comprised of about 120,000 people affiliated in some way with academics in Britain, presumably educated people. British institutions have long been known for the quality of their scholarship however I for one am glad to be receiving a serious education under the supervision of serious scholars in Israel. Note the issue on Israel followed Darfur…coincidence??
20 – Cuba Solidarity Northumbria University
Congress notes:
Congress
CARRIED
24 – Darfur Lambeth College
This Congress agrees to work with unions, students, Darfurian and refugee communities, and other concerned organisations to bring pressure to bear on the government to speak out against atrocities in Darfur and the Chinese government’s complicity with the Khartoum regime, and to allow Darfurian asylum seekers the right to remain in this country free from threat of deportation to Khartoum with the real possibility of torture or death that holds.
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
25A.1 University College London
‘No decision on cutting educational links with Israeli academic institutions will be made without a ballot of all members.’
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