http://www.totallyjewish.com/news/national/c-6820/10000-condemn-boycott-motion/

A public declaration condemning the prospect of an academic boycott of Israel last week attracted its 10,000th signatory, as the backlash against moves by a number of British unions continued to grow.

The supporters, “of differing religious and political perspectives” and including 32 Nobel laureates and 53 US university presidents, declared that singling out the country for a boycott is “wrong”.

They also vowed to “regard ourselves as Israeli academics and decline to participate in any activity from which Israeli academics are excluded”.

The Scholars for Peace in the Middle East statement – whose signatories include Elie Wiesel and scholars, researchers and professionals based in America, France, the UK – followed May’s vote by the University and College Union to promote a boycott of Israeli institutions.

The latest blow to pro-boycott campaigners comes just weeks after the National Union of Journalists dropped its controversial motion, which had called for a boycott of Israeli goods.

Dr. Edward Beck, President of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East and Professor of Psychology, from the Walden University, said: “The decision by the UCU to promote a boycott is a disgraceful anti-intellectual act that replaces factual discourse with a one-sided political agenda, and turns morality and the notion of freedom on their head. It says more about the boycott proponents than those to be boycotted.”

He added: “All of those who believe in academic freedom must speak forcefully to prevent a minority of extremists in the UCU to politicise, control and shut down the free exchange of ideas, where any group, whether based upon religion or national origin is singled out for exclusion.”

Support for the statement was also welcomed by community leaders. Jeremy Newmark, Chief Executive of The Jewish Leadership Council, which is coordinating the Stop The Boycott campaign with BICOM, said: “It is a significant and serious development which proves that there are consequences to an academic boycott of Israel. It is clear evidence of the damage that the UCU vote has done and continues to do to the reputation of British Academia. We have brought the petition to the attention of the British government.” SPME will deliver the statement to the UCU.

But this is not the first sign of opposition to the union’s vote. In its wake, a national newspaper advert condemning the vote attracted more than 250 signatures including Lords Bragg and Winston, while a survey revealed 86 percent of business, cultural and political leaders also opposed the move.

Reacting to the latest development, a UCU spokesman told TJ: “Everyone has had their say around the world and UCU members will now have their say at debates with repreasentations from both sides of the arguments.”

The union’s general secretary Sally Hunt said: “There is no academic boycott of Israeli institutions at the moment. Following a resolution to our Congress, UCU members will be debating the pros and cons of a boycott at a series of regional meetings this autumn. Speakers from both sides will be invited to these debates. I am on record many times as saying that the union should conduct a full ballot of its members on this issue to ensure we are fully representing their wishes following the debate.”