[ SPME Editor’s Note- SPME has been working closely with the IAB, AFI and other groups on countering the UCU boycott proposals with over 330 members in the UK.]

Israeli students, both Jewish and Arab, will be sharing a stall at this year’s Congress of the University and College Union (May 30th-June 1st) – while the Congress itself debates an academic boycott of Israeli academic institutions.

Mr. Atef Abu-Rabia, Ms.Tamar Shchori and Ms. Amal Hassan Shehadeh will be showcasing the large number of cooperative projects between Israeli andPalestinian Universities, as well as those projects and joint work that benefit Israel’s Arab minority population. All of these projects are threatened by theproposed Academic boycott.

The ‘Meet Israeli Academia’ stall, organized by the International Advisory Board on Academic Freedom (IAB)at Bar-Ilan University and the Academic Friends of Israel (AFI, UK), aims to give publicity to the wide variety of projects, and encourage British academics to get involved in positive initiatives. The students at the stall also want to demonstrate, in person, the diversity of Israeli academia.

The stall is being funded and supported by the Fair Play Campaign Group (FPCG) as part of its efforts to combat boycotts and promote cooperation and dialogue in the Middle East, and by the British friends of Israeli Universities.

Ofir Frankel, Executive director of IAB, that will manage the stall said “This stall lets Israeli students show that a boycott is counterproductive and will hurt the very relationships that will help bring peace in the Middle East. We also want to take this opportunity to build links with British academics that may advance these valuable projects.”

Ronnie Fraser, chair of AFI said: “The purpose of the stand is to overcome misperceptions and ignorance about the true nature of Israeli Academia. This stand is a step in an ongoing process to make UK academics more familiar with Israeli Universities achievements”.

Jeremy Newmark, FPCG Board member, said “Israeli society is united on this issue. The stall will allow UCU members to see the many positive collaborationprojects that are at risk if a boycott passes.”