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On May 30th
2007, the UK University and College Union meeting at its first Annual Congress
in Bournemouth passed the following
resolutions. The final texts are the result of the approval of ‘friendly’ amendments
to the original proposals which have the effect of strengthening them.
The
delegates earlier overwhelmingly (just one vote against) voted to accept the
recommendations of a report from a body set up in the fallout of the 2005
decision by AUT to impose an academic boycott of Israel.
That interim report accepted by the union this afternoon says: 'The commission
believes, after careful consideration, and noting that we are not capable of
policing the academic world in a pro-active way, that triggers for actions
leading to greylisting and boycott can only result from a request from a
legitimate organisation within the state, or within the occupied territory or
institution in question. Legitimate organisations would include a trade union
movement, a recognised higher education union or other representative
organisation. Exceptionally, a decision to impose greylisting or boycotting
might be taken following consultation with Education International in
circumstances where legitimate organisations cannot be lawfully established
within the state or institutions in question, or in circumstances where
institutions or branches of institutions, are established in territories under
unlawful occupation as defined by UN resolutions.
'It is recognised that this is a difficult area. We are aware of great wrongs
being committed throughout the world against colleagues in other
countries. But there is always a balance to be drawn between boycotting
and damaging those colleagues in the hope that the state will address the harm
that it is inflicting on academia, and the harm that the boycott itself inflicts
on academia.'
Responding to the votes this afternoon, UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt,
said: 'As I have made clear in the past, and as I reiterated on the floor of
congress this morning, I do not believe a boycott is supported by the majority
of UCU members, nor do I believe that members see it is a priority for the
union.
'Today's motion on boycott means all branches now have a responsibility to
consult all of their members on the issue and I believe that every member
should have the opportunity to have their say. The earlier motion means that
any future calls for a boycott must pass key tests before a boycott can
implemented.'
Resolution 30 Boycott of
Israeli academic institutions
Congress notes that Israel’s
40-year occupation has seriously damaged the fabric of Palestinian society
through annexation, illegal settlement, collective punishment and restriction
of movement.
Congress deplores the denial of educational rights for Palestinians by
invasions, closures, checkpoints, curfews, and shootings and arrests of
teachers, lecturers and students.
Congress condemns the complicity of Israeli academia in the occupation, which
has provoked a call from Palestinian trade unions for a comprehensive and
consistent international boycott of all Israeli academic institutions.
Congress believes that in these circumstances passivity or neutrality is
unacceptable and criticism of Israel
cannot be construed as anti-semitic.
Congress instructs the NEC to
§ circulate the full text of the Palestinian boycott call to
all branches/LAs for information and discussion;
§ encourage members to consider the moral implications of
existing and proposed links with Israeli academic institutions;
§ organise a UK-wide campus tour for Palestinian
academic/educational trade unionists;
§ issue guidance to members on appropriate forms of action;
actively encourage and support branches
to create direct educational§ links with Palestinian educational
institutions and to help set up nationally sponsored programmes for teacher
exchanges, sabbatical placements and research.
A count was taken of the voting on this motion which was as follows:
FOR 155 [61%]
AGAINST 99 [39%]
ABSTAIN 17
Resolution 31 European Union and Israel
Congress notes:
1. That since the Palestinian elections in January 2006 the Israeli government
has suspended revenue payments to the Palestinian authority (PA), and the EU
and US have suspended aid, leaving public-sector salaries unpaid and earning
the condemnation of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions;
2. That Israel is seeking to
upgrade its relations with the EU to the same level as Norway and Switzerland, permitting free
passage of goods, people and capital, while denying these freedoms to
Palestinians.
Congress resolves to campaign for:
1. The restoration of all international aid to the PA and all revenues
rightfully belonging to it;
2. No upgrade of Israel’s status until it ends the occupation of Palestinian
land and fully complies with EU Human Rights law;
3. A moratorium on research and cultural collaborations with Israel via EU and
European Science Foundation funding until Israel abides by UN resolutions
Congress instructs the NEC to encourage Branches/Associations to
1. raise these campaigns in their Institutions and
2. investigate the possibilities of twinning their Institution with a Palestinian University or College
This motion was declared passed on a show of hands –with a majority visibly
still higher than that for Resolution 30.
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