JANIP

JANIP Statement on the UCU

July 19th, 2007 Posted by Ron

The Jewish Academic Network for Israeli-Palestinian Peace (JANIP), made up of North American academics who support an end to the occupation and a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, opposes the resolution recently endorsed by Britain’s University and College Union (UCU), which encourages the boycott of Israeli academic institutions by the UCU and its members. We see dialogue, negotiations, and positive support for joint Palestinian and Israeli NGO initiatives, not boycotts or other efforts to disrupt communication, as key to terminating the occupation and establishing a just peace between Israel and Palestine.

We oppose such calls for academic boycott because they are a violation of academic freedom, and because they are acts of what can most charitably be interpreted as political obtuseness. Anyone with any knowledge of Israel must be aware of the fact that opposition to the occupation is widespread among Israeli academics. By placing obstacles in the way of those Israelis who wish to see the occupation end, a boycott of Israeli academics can only serve to strengthen those who support the occupation’s continued existence.

We recognize that some who support boycott regard it as a response to punitive Israeli reactions to the intifada, such as the restrictions placed on the Palestinians’ right to travel and the resulting curtailment of Palestinian academic freedom, including the ability of Palestinians to attend Israeli universities. We share this concern. But a boycott that stands to undermine the Israeli peace movement, by alienating many Israelis who support Palestinian rights, will weaken the prospect of securing these rights.

We hope that the majority of UCU members do not wish to see these unintended consequences of this unwise and destructive decision, and will reconsider their action, and revoke this resolution.

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