UK Academics want to boycott Israeli Academics

"The majority of Israeli academics are either complicit or acquiescent in their government's policies in the occupied territories," Tom Hickey, philosophy lecturer from the University of Brighton, southern England, said. as The National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (NATFHE) on Monday at their conference in Blackpool , UK . voted in favor of an Israeli boycott.The Union's official statement declared that "The Conference notes the continuing Israel apartheid policies, including the construction of the exclusion wall, and discriminatory educational practices. The call to consider a boycott of Israeli academics was passed with 106 votes in favor, 71 votes against and 21 abstentions."

"Turning a blind eye to what an Israeli colleague thinks about the actions of their government is culpable blindness," warned Hickey, who proposed the motion as a member of NATFHE's national executive committee.

The Zionist Lobby in the UK Gubment moved swiftly to counter the decision. Foreign Office Minister the recently ennobled and unelected Lord Triesman (The Trotskysist firebrand of my youth Communist Party member 1970 -1977) expressed "regret" at the decision, claiming the government ought to "recognize the independence of NATFHE." "We believe that such academic boycotts are counterproductive and retrograde. Far more can be obtained through dialogue and academic cooperation," Triesman insisted.

The Former chairman of the Labour Friends of Israel another Foreign Office Minister Kim "Zionist rentagob" Howells, followed suit.

Boaz Toporovsky, head of the Israel Tel Aviv University Student Union said the decision contravenes freedom of expression, a pillar of academic life. "In the enlightened and western world, freedom of expression is of utmost importance, especially in academia," he said. "What they are doing to Israel is the same racism that the apartheid regime exercised against blacks in South Africa and not otherwise as we are being accused," he added.

The Israel Embassy in London said it is encouraged by messages of condemnation received from around the world. "This proposal has been rejected around the world, which sees in it manifest discrimination," a statement read.

Abraham H. Foxman, the powerful US Zionist Lobbying group Antri Defamation League (ADL) National Director, issued the following statement:

The NATFHE boycott resolution resembles the attempts by Arab states following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 to isolate Israel's economy from the rest of the world. Today, NATFHE seeks to isolate Israel's scholars.... you can sign a petition here

In February, the general synod of the Church of England overwhelmingly voted to disinvest funds from companies profiting from Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian territory.

The landmark decision was made with the support of Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, but is being opposed by church's Ethical Investments Advisory Group following vigorous campaigning by the Zionist lobby.

The Church of Scotland General Assembly's has called for European authorities and the World Council of Churches to clearly identify products made in Israel's West Bank settlements.

Curious when you think of the contribution exiled Jewish scientists made to the World War II effort, much of which centred on UK Academic sites. Of course one of the great scientist who emerged post war was Sir Peter Medawar - one of the few knighted Muslims in the UK.

Neanderthals at work in the Groves of Academe.