A day after the British Union of Colleges and Universities (UCU) voted to consider imposing a boycott on Israeli academics, UNISON, the largest labor union in Britain, threatened to impose a boycott of their own on Israeli products.

In response, Histadrut Chairman Ofer Eini sent a letter to the UNISON chairman to try and avert the potentially harmful vote, scheduled for mid-June.

"Despite the aggression of the Palestinians, it never occurred to me to impose a boycott on Palestinian workers or employers," Eini wrote. "The boycott against Israel will only cause the situation to deteriorate further."

Eini noted with concern that if the boycott was passed, UK pension funds would stop investing in Israel and UNISON's 1.6 million members would themselves boycott Israeli goods.


Harris: Another British union falls on its head

Envoy: Academic boycott not UK policy
Earlier this week, Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) President Willie Madisha said COSATU supported a campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel.

Madisha was speaking at a news conference in which South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress, urged South Africans to turn out in their thousands during next week's national protest action in solidarity with the Palestinians.

The COSATU president said action against Israel "must be sustained for as long as possible beyond the week we have identified. COSATU will campaign among organizations of the working class around the world to support this call."

Meanwhile, British Minister for Higher Education Bill Rammell slammed the UCU decision to urge its members to consider the "moral implications" of links with Israeli academic institutions, saying that the British government supported academic freedom and opposed any boycott of Israel.

He said such a decision would do nothing to advance peace in the Middle East.

"The UK government fully supports academic freedom and is firmly against any academic boycotts of Israel or Israeli academics," said Rammell.

"Whilst I appreciate the independence of the UCU, I am very disappointed that the union has decided to pass a motion which encourages its members to consider boycotting Israeli academics and education institutions. I profoundly believe this does nothing to promote the Middle East peace process," continued the British minister.

Also Thursday, the Enough! Coalition, of which UNISON is a member, announced that it had scheduled a demonstration in London for June 9 to protest Israel's military presence in the Palestinian territories. The event is being promoted under the slogan: Enough! End the Israeli Occupation, and is being organized with the help of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

On Wednesday, the UCU passed a motion which condemned Israel for its "denial of educational rights" to the Palestinian people and called for UCU branches to discuss an academic boycott of Israel over the next year.

The vote has received condemnation from public officials in Israel and abroad.


Jerusalem Post
www.jpost.com

iM already boycotted british products and Aliya :lol:

^^ Oi!! :lol:

Well, I'm not boycotting Israel!! I bought IDF tshirt today lol

i would like to boycott anything that have a little conection to Britain.
but i don't think i can stop watching Top Gear

The British Unions(doctors, teachers, architects, journalists, etc.) have been trying to impose boycotts for the last year. The journalist union actually voted to boycott(a soft one) Israeli goods.

Very interesting..

you know... Sudan has not been boycotted..nor has Iran......
Yet.. the Jewish Controlled world..cant do anything to stop a boycott on the Zionist entity..

seriously...what good would it do to refuse an Israeli academic or whatever from doing a lecutre in Britain?
Would this mean that BA would not fly to israel and support the boycott..
Boycott are a neo-facist explanation to out turn democratic, capitalist market...
a capitalist doesnt see black and white..a capitalist doesnt see rich or poor..a capitalist doesnt see a nationalist or a patriotist...
a capitalist sees he's account statement and alot of 00000000000 after the 1 :D

you know... Sudan has not been boycotted..nor has Iran......
Yet.. the Jewish Controlled world..cant do anything to stop a boycott on the Zionist entity..

seriously...what good would it do to refuse an Israeli academic or whatever from doing a lecutre in Britain?
Would this mean that BA would not fly to israel and support the boycott..
Boycott are a neo-facist explanation to out turn democratic, capitalist market...
a capitalist doesnt see black and white..a capitalist doesnt see rich or poor..a capitalist doesnt see a nationalist or a patriotist...
a capitalist sees he's account statement and alot of 00000000000 after the 1 :D

They want to start a chain reaction. This boycott by itself wont do much, but the goal for them is to have other unions in other countries do the same. In my opinion I dont think much will come out of this.

pure anti-semitism

I am against the ban, however i think the boycott will be accepted by a lot people. There are A LOT of 'boycott Israel' groups in London alone and more have been started up after the Israel/Lebanon war.

The big supermarkets over here are Jewish owned or part owned so I'm sure most products will still be available.

I don't think they will do it in the end though.

at least British big newspapers are against this boycott

OMG UK labor union is threatening to boycott israeli products because of the palestinian issue, but this isn't helping palestinians. maybe they should send aid if they really care

at least British big newspapers are against this boycott

Surprisingly, I haven't read about it in the paper nor have I seen it on the news! And I read 2 big newspapers a day and watch the news also. :S

you guys should stop buying altoids :D

^^ Lol i havent heard that name in a long time. they dont even sell in London anymore :lol:

Brits say thanx to Israelis for their parties in Goah!!!
http://news.walla.co.il/?w=/3850/1117200

We could just place a tariff on their products to fight back.

this boycott is not a democratic way for UK labor union to show they opinion:ohno: :ohno:

:lol: Israeli Elbit will give weapon to UK's army:D

If you google Israel Boycott you will see how how many sites exist for this purpose. there are a lot. The rational behind the boycott is that Israel is like South Africa an apartheid nation who are oppressing the Palestinians and even creating genocide.

It is obvious that these groups really don't care all that much about the Palestinians because they aren't doing anything but the boycott. If this PR campaign succeeds it will hurt Israel economically.

Part of the problem is there is always a grain of Truth in their claims. Israel exists as a country and Palestine doesn't. Is this because of Israel or the screwed up countries of the middle east and the Palestinian leadership.

There are millions of Palestinian refugees is this because of ethnic cleansing or because of Arab invasions during the founding of Israel. By the way why are they still refugees 60 years after the fact. Where are their Arab brothers to give them a good life . There are no refugee camps left over from other conflicts that occurred 60 years ago.

SUBJECT: IF YOU'RE GOING TO BOY COTT ISRAEL - DO IT PROPERLY!
OK.
So I understand that you are ticked off at Israel, and in love with
the Palestinians. That's fine with me, as long as you have truly
weighedall the facts.
So, you want to boycott Israel?????

I'll be sorry to miss you, but if you are doing it - do it properly.
Let me help you. Check all your medications. Make sure that you do not
have tablets, drops, lotions, etc., made by Abic or Teva. It may mean
that you will suffer from colds and flu this winter but, hey, that's a
small price for you to pay in your campaign against Israel, isn't it?

While we are on the subject of your Israeli boycott, and the medical
contributions to the world made by Israeli doctors and scientists, how
about telling your pals to boycott the following.....

An Israeli company has developed a simple blood test that distinguishes
between mild and more severe cases of Multiple Sclerosis. So, if you
know anyone suffering from MS, tell them to ignore the Israeli patent that
may, more accurately, diagnose their symptoms.

An Israeli-made device helps restore the use of paralyzed hands. This
device electrically stimulates the hand muscles, providing hope to
millions of stroke sufferers and victims of spinal injuries. If you wish
to remove this hope of a better quality of life to these people, go ahead
and boycott Israel.

Young children with breathing problems will soon be sleeping more
soundly, thanks to a new Israeli device called the Child Hood. This
innovation replaces the inhalation mask with an improved drug delivery
system that provides relief for child and pa rent. Please tell anxious
mothers that they shouldn't use this device because of your passionate
cause.

These are just a few examples of how people have benefited medically
from the Israeli know-how you wish to block. Boycotts often affect research.

A new research center in Israel hopes to throw light on brain disorders
such as depression and Alzheimer's disease.

The Joseph Sangol Neuroscience Center in the Sheba Medical Center at Tel
HaShomer Hospital, aims to bring thousands of scientists and doctors to
focus on brain research.

A researcher at Israel's Ben Gurion University has succeeded in creating
human monoclonal antibodies which can neutralize the highly contagious
smallpox virus without inducing the dangerous side effects of the
existing vaccine.

Two Israel is received the 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Doctors
Ciechanover and Hershko's research and discovery of one of the human
cells most important cyclical processes will lead the way to DNA
repair, controlof newly produced proteins, and immune defense systems.

The Movement Disorder Surgery program at Israel's Hadassah Medical
Center has successfully eliminated the physical manifestations of Parkinson's
disease in a select group of patients with a deep brain stimulation
technique.

For women who undergo hysterectomies each year for the treatment of
uterine fibroids, the development in Israel of the Ex Ablate 2000 System
is a welcome breakthrough, offering a noninvasive alternative to surgery.

Israel is developing a nose drop that will provide a five year flu vaccine.
These are ju st a few of the projects that you can help stop with your
Israeli boycott. But let's not get too obsessed with my ducal
research, there are other ways you can make a personal sacrifice with your
anti-Israel boycott.

Most of Windows operating systems were developed by Microsoft-Israel.
So, set a personal example. Throw away your computer!
Computers should have a sign attached saying Israel Inside. The Pentium
NMX Chip technology was designed at Intel in Israel. Both the Pentium 4
microprocessor and the Centrum processor were entirely designed,
developed, and produced in Israel.

Voice mail technology was developed in Israel.
The technology for the AOL Instant Messenger ICQ was developed in 1996
in Israel by four young Israeli whiz kids.

Both Microsoft and Cisco built their only R. & D. facilities outside
the US in Israel.

So, due to your complete boycott of anything Israeli, you can now have
poor health and no computer.

But your bad news does not end there. Get rid of your cellular phone.
Cell phone technology was also developed in Israel by MOTOROLA which
has its biggest development center in Israel. Most of the latest
technology in
your mobile phone was developed by Israeli scientists.

Feeling unsettled? You should be. Part of your personal security rests
with Israeli inventiveness, borne out of our urgent necessity to protect
and defend our lives from the terrorists you support.

A phone can remotely activate a bomb, or be used for tactical
communications by terrorists, bank robbers, or hostage-takers. It is
vital that official security and law enforcement authorities have access to
cellular jamming and detection solutions.

Enter Israel's Net line Communications Technologies with their security
expertise to help the fight against terror.

SO ALL THE NOISE ABOUT THE USA LISTENING TO OUR PRIVATE TELEPHONE CALLS,
YOU SHOULD KNOW IT IS ISRAEL WHO IS DOING THE LISTENING FOR US.

A joint, nonprofit, venture between Israel and Maryland will result in a
5 day Business Development and Planning Conference next March. Elected
Israeli companies will partner with Maryland firms to provide innovation
to the US need for homeland security.

I also want you to know that Israel has the highest ratio of university
degrees to the population in the world.

Israel produces more scientific papers per capita - 109 per 10,000 -
than any other nation.

Israel has the highest number of startup companies per rata. In absolute
terms, the highest number, except the US. Israel has a ratio of patents
filed.

Israel has the highest concentration of hi-tech companies outside of
Silicon Valley.
Israel is ranked #2 in the world for venture capital funds, behind the USA.
Israel has more museums per capita.

Israel has the second highest publication of new books per capita.

Relative to population, Israel is the largest immigrant absorbing nation
on earth.
These immigrants come in search of democracy, religious freedom or
expression, economic opportunity, and quality of life.

Believe it or not, Israel is the only country in the world which had a
net gain in the number of trees last year.

Even Warren Buffet of Berkshire-Hathaway fame has just invested millions
with Israeli Companies.

So, you can vilify and demonize the State of Israel. You can continue
your silly boycott, if you wish. But I wish you would consider the
consequences, and the truth.

Think of the massive contribution that Israel is giving to the world,
including the Palestinians - and to you - in science, medicine,
communications, security.

Pro rata for population, Israel is making a greater contribution than any
other nation on earth.

i would like to boycott anything that have a little connection to Britain.

You would even boycott your own land as it has what you would call a 'little' connection with the UK i.e. former territory, international politics etc? ;)

I have met a couple of Brits over the past year or so who have had a rant at me about the sheer amount of Israeli products in British supermarkets and that they try to avoid it....

Personally I don't give a flying crap... It's all food to me lol. I won't lie tho, I have boycotted a few local shops in my town, but that's because of the establishment (such as a local outfitter who is effectively a thief) but I don't care much for silly boycotts.

but i don't think i can stop watching Top Gear

It is uncertain there will be another season :(

SUBJECT: IF YOU'RE GOING TO BOY COTT ISRAEL - DO IT PROPERLY!
OK.
So I understand that you are ticked off at Israel, and in love with
the Palestinians. That's fine with me, as long as you have truly
weighedall the facts.
So, you want to boycott Israel?????

I'll be sorry to miss you, but if you are doing it - do it properly.
Let me help you. Check all your medications. Make sure that you do not
have tablets, drops, lotions, etc., made by Abic or Teva. It may mean
that you will suffer from colds and flu this winter but, hey, that's a
small price for you to pay in your campaign against Israel, isn't it?

While we are on the subject of your Israeli boycott, and the medical
contributions to the world made by Israeli doctors and scientists, how
about telling your pals to boycott the following.....

An Israeli company has developed a simple blood test that distinguishes
between mild and more severe cases of Multiple Sclerosis. So, if you
know anyone suffering from MS, tell them to ignore the Israeli patent that
may, more accurately, diagnose their symptoms.

An Israeli-made device helps restore the use of paralyzed hands. This
device electrically stimulates the hand muscles, providing hope to
millions of stroke sufferers and victims of spinal injuries. If you wish
to remove this hope of a better quality of life to these people, go ahead
and boycott Israel.

Young children with breathing problems will soon be sleeping more
soundly, thanks to a new Israeli device called the Child Hood. This
innovation replaces the inhalation mask with an improved drug delivery
system that provides relief for child and pa rent. Please tell anxious
mothers that they shouldn't use this device because of your passionate
cause.

These are just a few examples of how people have benefited medically
from the Israeli know-how you wish to block. Boycotts often affect research.

A new research center in Israel hopes to throw light on brain disorders
such as depression and Alzheimer's disease.

The Joseph Sangol Neuroscience Center in the Sheba Medical Center at Tel
HaShomer Hospital, aims to bring thousands of scientists and doctors to
focus on brain research.

A researcher at Israel's Ben Gurion University has succeeded in creating
human monoclonal antibodies which can neutralize the highly contagious
smallpox virus without inducing the dangerous side effects of the
existing vaccine.

Two Israel is received the 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Doctors
Ciechanover and Hershko's research and discovery of one of the human
cells most important cyclical processes will lead the way to DNA
repair, controlof newly produced proteins, and immune defense systems.

The Movement Disorder Surgery program at Israel's Hadassah Medical
Center has successfully eliminated the physical manifestations of Parkinson's
disease in a select group of patients with a deep brain stimulation
technique.

For women who undergo hysterectomies each year for the treatment of
uterine fibroids, the development in Israel of the Ex Ablate 2000 System
is a welcome breakthrough, offering a noninvasive alternative to surgery.

Israel is developing a nose drop that will provide a five year flu vaccine.
These are ju st a few of the projects that you can help stop with your
Israeli boycott. But let's not get too obsessed with my ducal
research, there are other ways you can make a personal sacrifice with your
anti-Israel boycott.

Most of Windows operating systems were developed by Microsoft-Israel.
So, set a personal example. Throw away your computer!
Computers should have a sign attached saying Israel Inside. The Pentium
NMX Chip technology was designed at Intel in Israel. Both the Pentium 4
microprocessor and the Centrum processor were entirely designed,
developed, and produced in Israel.

Voice mail technology was developed in Israel.
The technology for the AOL Instant Messenger ICQ was developed in 1996
in Israel by four young Israeli whiz kids.

Both Microsoft and Cisco built their only R. & D. facilities outside
the US in Israel.

So, due to your complete boycott of anything Israeli, you can now have
poor health and no computer.

But your bad news does not end there. Get rid of your cellular phone.
Cell phone technology was also developed in Israel by MOTOROLA which
has its biggest development center in Israel. Most of the latest
technology in
your mobile phone was developed by Israeli scientists.

Feeling unsettled? You should be. Part of your personal security rests
with Israeli inventiveness, borne out of our urgent necessity to protect
and defend our lives from the terrorists you support.

A phone can remotely activate a bomb, or be used for tactical
communications by terrorists, bank robbers, or hostage-takers. It is
vital that official security and law enforcement authorities have access to
cellular jamming and detection solutions.

Enter Israel's Net line Communications Technologies with their security
expertise to help the fight against terror.

SO ALL THE NOISE ABOUT THE USA LISTENING TO OUR PRIVATE TELEPHONE CALLS,
YOU SHOULD KNOW IT IS ISRAEL WHO IS DOING THE LISTENING FOR US.

A joint, nonprofit, venture between Israel and Maryland will result in a
5 day Business Development and Planning Conference next March. Elected
Israeli companies will partner with Maryland firms to provide innovation
to the US need for homeland security.

I also want you to know that Israel has the highest ratio of university
degrees to the population in the world.

Israel produces more scientific papers per capita - 109 per 10,000 -
than any other nation.

Israel has the highest number of startup companies per rata. In absolute
terms, the highest number, except the US. Israel has a ratio of patents
filed.

Israel has the highest concentration of hi-tech companies outside of
Silicon Valley.
Israel is ranked #2 in the world for venture capital funds, behind the USA.
Israel has more museums per capita.

Israel has the second highest publication of new books per capita.

Relative to population, Israel is the largest immigrant absorbing nation
on earth.
These immigrants come in search of democracy, religious freedom or
expression, economic opportunity, and quality of life.

Believe it or not, Israel is the only country in the world which had a
net gain in the number of trees last year.

Even Warren Buffet of Berkshire-Hathaway fame has just invested millions
with Israeli Companies.

So, you can vilify and demonize the State of Israel. You can continue
your silly boycott, if you wish. But I wish you would consider the
consequences, and the truth.

Think of the massive contribution that Israel is giving to the world,
including the Palestinians - and to you - in science, medicine,
communications, security.

Pro rata for population, Israel is making a greater contribution than any
other nation on earth.


This was being forwarded around by email. I received it too :-)

What a pile of pretentious crap (the proposed boycott I'm referring to of course).

I have thoughts on the whole conflict debate but it's not going to affect what products I buy at the shops. Just because some wankarse union with ideas far above it's station wants to go on a moral crusade doesn't mean the rest of us are going to follow.

That's one of the problems with unions, they don't stick to what they're supposed to do.

I've attended some of those pro-Palestine rally's out of interest - there are some good arguments to be heard. But many of the people there hadn't a clue about what it is they're protesting about. Basically they let themselves get fed other peoples opinions whilst not taking the time to find out for themselves. It does seem to be a rather trendy thing to do actually. There are many kids dragged along by their parents for example.

My point is I can see both sides of the argument and no one side is less right or more wrong then the other side. As with any conflict it takes two to tango and two to put a stop to things.

And if anyone tries to tell me what I should and shouldn't buy I'll tell them where to go.

^^ well said mate well said :applause:

there are some good arguments to be heard. But many of the people there hadn't a clue about what it is they're protesting about. Basically they let themselves get fed other peoples opinions whilst not taking the time to find out for themselves

Oh believe me this is the same for pro-israeli rallies, maybe even more.

As for the boycott, it worked with south africa...

Oh believe me this is the same for pro-israeli rallies, maybe even more.

As for the boycott, it worked with south africa...

oh believe me not!
show me at least one show in Israeli TV like Tomorrow's Pioneers with figure of Farfur (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farfur) who looked like Micky Mouse and teach the children to be a Shahid, fight against the west and to kill Israelis.


anyway i don't want to make this thread political. just show me Israeli show with something like Tomorrow's Pioneers.

What is the link with you asked and what I have said?

I answered to salif who said many people in pro-palestinian rallies didn't have a clue by saying it was the same thing, maybe more with pro-israeli rallies.

I thus fail to see the link...

Oh believe me this is the same for pro-israeli rallies, maybe even more.

As for the boycott, it worked with south africa...

I have never attended a pro-Israeli rally before, I am sure what I said about Palestinian rallies applies to these ones aswell though. Which highlights a fundamental problem, too many people with agendas clouding the issue.

It's as I think of the UK conflict with the IRA, there was plenty of innocent blood shed by both sides.

Regarding boycotting Israeli products, why should Israeli businesses be made to suffer because people don't agree with their Governments actions?

And as someone pointed out surely a boycott would be hypocritical unless it's a total boycott?

(please refer back to maayan's post)

I'm just so sick to death of holier then thou types preaching their moralistic views. It is so very very easy to judge things when they don't directly affect you.

What is the link with you asked and what I have said?

I answered to salif who said many people in pro-palestinian rallies didn't have a clue by saying it was the same thing, maybe more with pro-israeli rallies.

I thus fail to see the link...

what i ment to say is that pro-Palestinian rallies teaches the people including children to hate Israel instead of making peace.

Here you are just giving your opinion.

pro-palestinian rallies are not hamas television shows, just like pro-israeli rallies are not all kahanist bullshit

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1185379034220&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

tell me urban legend, what do you think of the south africa boycott a few years ago?

אל תתיחסו אליו, הוא בא לכאן בתור פרובקטור אם לא יתיחסו אליו אולי הוא יעוף מפה סוף סוף

tell me urban legend, what do you think of the south africa boycott a few years ago?

אם אתה דואג כל כך לפלשתינאים אז למה אתה לא הולך לשם ועוזר להם במקום ללכלך על ישראל.
האם בזה שאתה מגיב בהערות אנטי ציוניות זה עוזר לפלשתינאים באיזושהי דרך? אתה כל כך צבוע:ohno: !

meaning?

tell me urban legend, what do you think of the south africa boycott a few years ago?

South Africa is not a big fish. also there are much more muslims in SA than GB.

אם אתה דואג כל כך לפלשתינאים אז למה אתה לא הולך לשם ועוזר להם במקום ללכלך על ישראל.
האם בזה שאתה מגיב בהערות אנטי ציוניות זה עוזר לפלשתינאים באיזושהי דרך? אתה כל כך צבוע:ohno: !

Smart :)

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1187779135300&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

I don't really give a sh*t :)

Let them do their silly boycotts.

i have news for you..we dont give a shit either...israel is a small insignificant glorified golf resort that contributes fook all to the world..:lol: :lol: :cheers:

The way the petition text was worded says alot and explains alot, saying how amazed they were that any academic union could allow itself to be "Hijacked" in this counterproductive way.
The British academic community has varying opinions on this issue, but rarely have I come across academics with such a simple understanding of ANYTHING, let alone this issue, to think that such a boycott would make anything but a negative contribution to progress.

i have news for you..we dont give a shit either...israel is a small insignificant glorified golf resort that contributes fook all to the world..:lol: :lol: :cheers:

Oh good, we're even then! :lol:

There's not much golf here though, and Israel has the second highest amount of High Tech facilities in the world, after the US.