[Guardian-UK] James Meikle - Delegates at the first conference of the new University and College Union in Bournemouth voted by 158 to 99 Wednesday for "a comprehensive and consistent boycott" of all Israeli academic institutions. A boycott might involve refusing to work with journals published by Israeli companies or collaborate on research contracts with Israeli academics. But Sally Hunt, the general secretary of the union, said: "I do not believe a boycott is supported by a majority of [120,000] UCU members, nor do I believe that members see it as a priority for the union." The boycott was also opposed by the education minister, Bill Rammell, who said: "The UK government fully supports academic freedom and is firmly against any academic boycotts of Israel or Israeli academics."
2007-05-31 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive