As democrats, socialists and supporters of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, we, the undersigned members of Unison, oppose the proposals to our union’s conference next week for a boycott against Israeli institutions.

At first glance the idea of a boycott answers the need we all feel to “do something” in response to the seemingly endless carnage. But in fact a boycott would do more harm than good.

A boycott of Israel would at best exert only the most marginal pressure on the Israeli state. The boycott of South Africa had only marginal effects. Apartheid did not begin to crumble until the new black-majority workers’ movement and the townships rose up. Moreover, boycotts of whole nations and their institutions hit opponents of the government being boycotted too. This objection had far less weight for South Africa because everyone saw it as pressure towards majority rule rather than aimed at crushing the whole country. Israel-Palestine is not the same as South Africa.

A boycott would strengthen the sense of being under siege in a world of enemies, which is a strong element in the power of the Israeli right, and weaken those in Israel who want a just settlement with the Palestinians. In Britain, a boycott-Israel movement would, inexorably, become an anti-Jewish movement.

We understand the desperation which has driven Palestinian trade unions and some other civil-society organisations to call for a boycott, but we do not believe it will help. Much better, a positive labour-movement campaign of solidarity with the Palestinians, with the Israeli peace movement, and workers on both sides.
Alison Brown, Yorkshire Ambulance branch and national executive committee-elect
Kate Ahrens, Leicestershire Health and NEC-elect
Nick Holden, Leicestershire Health and health service group executive
And 29 others (www.links-not-boycott.org.uk ; all signatories in a personal capacity)

Following a recent debate on your letters page and a full-page advert about the University and College Union’s congress decision to discuss an academic boycott of Israel I feel it is important I clarify the position. The union is bringing forward proposals to allow a debate to take place within our branches on the arguments for and against an academic boycott of Israel. This does not mean an academic boycott is in place, or that UCU is committed to such a boycott in the future.

My contribution to the debate is to say, as I have many times, that I do not believe an academic boycott of Israel is supported by the majority of UCU’s membership. Nor do I believe that it is an issue that members want the union to prioritise.

Following the debates, which need to happen and be concluded as soon as possible, we will need to make sure that the majority of UCU members support whatever position is reached. The best way to do this, in my view, is to hold a ballot of our full membership on the issue.
Sally Hunt
General secretary, UCU