The University and College lecturers' Union (UCU) voted overwhelmingly at its annual conference to boycott Israel. Unfortunately, no sooner had the vote been taken the ational Exective ruled that it could not be implemented because it was illegal. What unbelievable cowardice on the part of this union's leadership (not its membership):
Lecturers voted overwhelmingly to boycott Israeli universities and colleges today. Delegates said Israeli academics were complicit in their government's acts against Palestinians.
But as soon as the vote was carried, the leadership of the University and College Union declared it void. Lawyers had advised the union to rule the vote null and void if passed, to avoid legal action against the union.
The union's general secretary, Sally Hunt, said she "formally and personally commended" having the debate.
The lecturers voted for a "boycott, disinvestment and sanctions campaign" against Israeli institutions in protest against Israel's policies in the occupied territories and January's incursion into Gaza.
The vote was carried at UCU's annual congress in Bournemouth. It is the ninth time the deeply contentious issue of Israel and Palestine has surfaced. more
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