Palestine Think Tank

WRITTEN BY KEITH HAMMOND
The UK’s University and College Union is moving into its May 28th 2008 Congress.  Everyone in British Universities and Colleges is watching the proceedings carefully as everyone listens for news of the academic boycott.  It is absolutely clear that the UCU membership is keen on a boycott of Israeli institutions who support or remain silent on the occupation of Palestine and yet claim ‘humane’ credentials in the international world of academia. This situation is upsetting many academics.  What will be really interesting about this Congress is the way Anti-Zionist feeling amongst the rank and file translates to Congress decisions when the big stick of the law is being waived by the pro-Israeli group within the union that is threatening such a move.  (I have seen documents of their legal threats…. Pages and pages of them. editor’s note).

The Zionist lobby within the UCU has never been as desperate.  They have seen the UCU at all levels throb with arguments and counter-arguments about Israel and its sordid institutions of higher education that service the occupation.  Argumentation has not gone the Zionists’ way - how could it?  And the result has been that they have reminded everyone constantly of the legal consequences should the union go ahead with its anti-Zionist campaign.  The tactic has been seen by many to show exactly what Zionism is all about – using law in the most disgusting way to further an endless campaign of violence and injustice against the Palestinians and now it would seem, a legal campaign any union in the UK that tries to organise real support for the Palestinians.  What has proved to be the downfall of the Zionists however is that this very tactic has back-fired as the perverted possibility of using anti-racist laws against those who speak out for Palestine has been witnessed by the full membership and everyone seems to have had enough.

The prospect of an academic boycott has brought out constant debate.  The debate has shown no signs of diminishing – it is more constant than ever.  Whatever this 2008 Congress decides, the UCU membership is looking to support Palestine.   Support may be formalised at this Congress or it may be formalised at the next.  But it is coming!  The boycott at some point is a definite course of action because regardless of happens at this Congress, the UCU membership are very unhappy with Israeli institutions supporting the violent occupation of Palestine.  Israeli academics know this and fewer and fewer are coming to international conferences in the UK.  These Israeli academics know that the debate is going to go on until it translates into a real boycott and Israeli academics get the message that the Zionist project is unacceptable.  Other unions are watching this UCU gathering.  They are waiting to push through similar actions.  Once one British trade union moves, it will be like the border controls at Rafah!  Watch this space!!!!

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