Britain - Academic union could face legal action on ‘backdoor boycott’

The University and College Union will almost certainly face legal action if its executive decides to turn into policy the “back-door boycott” motion on Israel passed at its congress last week.

Senior lawyer Anthony Julius, acting on behalf of what he called a “growing number” of Jewish and non-Jewish UCU members, has written to UCU general secretary Sally Hunt setting out four areas where he said the union could be challenged legally. He argued that:

- The motion, despite the union’s denials, is a boycott motion;

- It is antisemitic;

- Because of the first two points, the UCU and its trustees could be sued, according to a legal opinion produced for the Stop The Boycott campaign;

- There would also be a claim by members for harassment under the Race Relations Act.

Mr Julius, a consultant at law firm Mishcon de Reya, told the JC this week: “I think the union has to stop being antisemitic and promoting antisemitism. Its denial of antisemitism is something to be taken into account, but it is hardly convincing.”

The UCU has draw fire from all sides since the vote, including from Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell. He said boycotts were “the complete antithesis of academic freedom” and appealed to the union to reconsider when he spoke on the last day of the conference.

Source: www.thejc.com

By Leon Symons and Shelly Paz

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