Hillel Urges British Union to Rescind Boycott

June 7, 2007
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Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life urges the British University and College Union to immediately rescind its recent decision to consider a boycott of contacts and exchanges with Israeli academic institutions. As the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, Hillel believes that this anti-intellectual action undermines the very definition of academic freedom and strikes at the root of the scholarly enterprise.

Israeli institutions of higher learning, like their counterparts throughout the world, are models of free inquiry in which students and scholars of all backgrounds and beliefs can explore issues of science and the humanities. Israeli scholars contribute substantially to the advancement of knowledge and international understanding.

The creation of a new boycott against Israel is contrary to the tide of history. We urge University and College Union members to tear down obstacles to the free and comprehensive exchange of ideas, not to erect them. Academic freedom is essential to promoting tolerance and peace. The union’s action is a step in the wrong direction.

Background:

JTA: Jews Divided on Response to British Boycott Threat
Inside Higher Ed: Academic Fallout From Middle East
New York Times Condemns Boycott

Take Action:

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) recommends the following:

U.S. Representative Patrick Murphy (D-PA) has introduced H. Res 467, a resolution condemning the decision by the University and College Union of the United Kingdom to support a boycott of Israeli academia. Contact your Representative and urge him/her to support this measure.

The British Union of Jewish Students (UJS) urges the following:

Sign a petition http://www.petitiononline.com/stopucu/petition.html

Join a Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=2574270419&topic=2511

Contact Sally Hunt, ggneral secretary of the UCU, at shunt@ucu.org.uk and ask for a national referendum.

Comments:

Posted By: mitch simmons on 6/12/2007 3:32:00 PM

To all Hillel members, The Union of Jewish Students of the United Kingdom and Ireland needs your support. However, we must speak with one voice to condemn the boycott and call for a ballot of the UCU membership. Visit www.ujs.org.uk and click on the "stop the boycott" banner to see how you can help. Mitch Simmons UJS Campaigns Director

Posted By: Laura Colbert on 6/12/2007 3:36:00 PM

Why isn't the UCU boycotting contacts and exchanges with Jordanian academic institutions because of their occupation given that Jordan holds 79 of the British Mandate for Palestine?

Jews are indigenous to the Middle East and are not "occupying" but returned while others remained for thousands of years.

The language of "settling and pioneers" originates in Jews impacted by colonialism under the rule of countries to which they fled for safety from inquisitions, etc.

Posted By: Laura Colbert on 6/12/2007 3:37:00 PM

Related concern: recently I was looking at the website of the International Olympic Committee. See what I found: This official Olympic website notes that Hitler vowed not to discriminate against Jewish Athletes!

compare it to USHMM

Posted By: Laura Colbert on 6/12/2007 4:55:00 PM

Draft a bi partisan Congressional Resolution that acknowledges the tie between these two issues http://www.justiceforjews.com/resolution.html http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=hr110-467 Contain in the resolution this quote from JIMENA http://www.jimena.org/faq.htm#2 Cross reference sponsors of each resolution and ask for their support. Ask Hillel members to write to Reps to support. Ask Hillel members around world to do same in their countries.

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