boycott Israeli academic

On the 30th May 2007, a resolution to boycott Israeli academic institutions was passed by Britain's University and College Union* (UCU) in protest at Israel's "40-year occupation" of Palestinian land and to condemn the "complicity" of Israeli academia.

Certain “pro-israeli occupation” groups have been trying to undemocratically over turn this motion.

Thus, peace-loving people out there, we need your help by signing this petition to stop these attempts.

The vehement opposition to the UCU’s motion to boycott Israeli Academics is ever intensifying. The US are now involved, threatening to take action against British academia should this motion not be reversed. Tony Blair in person requested from the UCU to ‘overturn’ this motion. Undoubtedly the UCU now find them selves under potentially unbearable pressure.


Fosis is urging all members of the public to take the following simple actions:


1. Visit this online petition and sign it


2. Write letters of support to Sally Hunt, Gen Sec of UCU at shunt@ucu.org.uk and CC President, Linda Newman (preident@ucu.org.uk). A template for the letter is provided at the bottom of this alert.


---------------------------------------------------------

Letter to Sally Hunt, Gen. Sec. UCU (TEMPLATE)


Dear Sally Hunt

I write to you to commend the UCU for their stance regarding the boycott of Israeli academics. This motion sends a strong message of solidarity and support to the Palestinian people who’ve been suffering at the hands of the Israeli occupation for more than 5 decades.

Academics play an instrumental role in shaping the perceptions and world views of a population. By standing on the fringe and refusing to actively condemn the continuous brutality of the occupation and its implications on the welfare and future of the Palestinian people, Israeli Academics are complicit in this heinous crime.

We take pride in seeing our academics taking a principled stance on this issue and supporting the struggle to attain justice for the oppressed away from the distortions and contaminations of the media and politics. This is the true spirit of academia, and we are certain that this stance by the British UCU will set an example for all such institutions around the world.

We trust that as secretary of the Union you will do whatever is in your power to ensure all such democratic decisions are duly implemented.


Regards,
(*Your name*)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------



1. FOSIS (est. 1962) is the umbrella organisation of student groups in colleges and universities throughout the UK and Ireland, representing over 90,000 Muslim students.

2. UCU is the largest trade union and professional association for academics, lecturers, trainers, researchers and academic-related staff working in further and higher education throughout the UK