WINDSOR, Ont. – CUPE Ontario president Sid Ryan admitted Sunday he was wrong when he proposed a ban on Israeli academics who don’t condemn attacks on Gaza.

Ryan made the comments after a committee of CUPE’s university workers passed a watered-down version of the resolution. It calls for members at Ontario universities to boycott working with Israeli institutions doing research that benefits that nation’s military.

“This is not about individual academics, this has nothing to do with individual academics,” he told reporters. “That was a mistake that I made at the very beginning when we actually talked about this campaign. I appreciate that there are some protesters outside who still insist that we’re talking about individual academics when we’re not.”

He was referring to about 120 Jewish protesters, many from Toronto, who squared off against some 60 Palestinian backers on the street outside the hotel where CUPE delegates were meeting. The sides screamed at each other and police intervened by driving patrol cars between them.

Ryan sparked an outcry from Jewish groups for statements in January that Israeli academics shouldn’t be allowed on university campuses unless they condemn Israel’s military action on Gaza.

He said Sunday’s resolution “broadens and deepens” one passed two years ago to support a campaign of economic boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel for its “illegal” occupation of Gaza.

CUPE university workers will be urged to examine the education and research ties of their own institutions with ones in Israel. If members learn their universities collaborate with Israeli universities engaged in weapons research, they are encouraged – but not forced – to mount a boycott campaign.

Ryan said CUPE will also investigate whether its pension plans are investing in companies developing weapons in Israel which could be used against the Palestinians. He likened CUPE’s boycotts to those of Gandhi.

“It’s following a long tradition and a peaceful tradition of using the pressures of a boycott in a peaceful way to bring pressure to bear on the state of Israel to end this illegal occupation,” said Ryan.

Bernie Farber, CEO of the Canadian Jewish Congress, said the reworked resolution still proves that “anti-Semitism is once again amongst us.” He called it discriminatory and anti-Semitic.

“It’s devious, it’s disingenuous,” he said. “They talk about Israeli universities and partnerships. What makes up a partnership? Israeli academics and Canadian academics make up a partnership. You’re still talking about people, except you’re hiding it. It means you are prepared to boycott your fellow academic and it’s absolutely disgusting.

“I found it profoundly disappointing that people would just sit back and not get it, that they would plunge into this dark hole of anti-Semitism.”

Meir Weinstein, national director of the Jewish Defense League, also said the resolution is thinly veiled anti-Semitism. He called for Ryan to be ousted.

“Sid Ryan is a hater of Jews and Israel. We don’t want any of his resolutions dealing with Jews and Israel to make it into the workplace in Ontario. We want the membership of CUPE Ontario to do the right thing and get him out of here.”

He said his organization wasn’t giving up with Sunday’s resolution. “We know his intentions, to delegitimize Israel and the Jewish people,” said Weinstein.

“We’re going to be on his trail. This is the start of a campaign and we’re not giving up.”

In a statement Sunday night, the Canadian Jewish Congress Ontario Region said it, too, is both sad and disappointed at the resolution.

“The decision… to support the proposed discriminatory resolution represents another low point in the proud history of the Canadian labour movement’s involvement in international affairs,” said Mark Goldberg, vice-chairman for the region. “The changes that were made to this resolution since it was first announced are cosmetic at best and do nothing to alter the basic discriminatory elements. How do you boycott institutions without boycotting individuals in the process?”