UK: The move to boycott Israel will damage research and, ultimately, efforts to foster peace in the region.

by E Wayne Ross on June 5, 2007

The Guardian: Divide and rule?

The move to boycott Israel will damage research and, ultimately, efforts to foster peace in the region. Colin Shindler reports

As reader in Israeli studies at Soas, University of London, I teach the Israel-Palestine conflict to large classes that include Palestinians, Israelis, Jews and Muslims. I do this without any difficulties in the multicultural environment at Soas, and I work hard for all my students. I am also a loyal trade unionist. While my union, the University and College Union (UCU), does not directly call for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions – presumably for fear of legal action – the spirit of last week’s motion is just that.

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