Israeli boycotts revoked - AUT statement
http://www.aut.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1235After a lengthy debate involving deeply held views on both sides of the
argument, AUT’s special council has today voted to revoke all existing
boycotts of Israeli institutions.
AUT council has decided to base its policy on providing practical
solidarity to Palestinian and Israeli trade unionists and academics, by
agreeing a motion committing the union to having a full review of
international policy, working alongside NATFHE and the TUC.
UK higher education has a long and proud tradition of defending academic
freedom. The struggle to maintain academic freedom whenever it is under
threat is one that AUT will always support and this principle will
continue to guide our work.
Sally Hunt, AUT general secretary, said: 'It is now time to build
bridges between those with opposing views here in the UK and to commit
to supporting trade unionists in Israel and Palestine working for peace.'
And I say, good for them. This farce has harmed the AUT more than anything else. Being a socialist, I hate to see a trade union loose power. Now, I wouldn't mind seeing some real action behind this 'solidarity with unionists in Israel and Palestine', say - some support for the Bil'in struggle, but that's a different story.
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