The latest exhibition of Israel-o-phobia:

UK lecturers support Israel boycott call

Britain’s University and College Union (UCU), comprising of university academics, voted in favor of considering a boycott of Israeli academics and institutions at its conference in Bournemouth on Thursday evening.

The resolution, passed by 158 votes in favor and 99 against, “notes that Israel’s 40-year occupation has seriously damaged the fabric of Palestinian society through annexation, illegal settlement, collective punishment and restriction of movement… deplores the denial of educational rights for Palestinians by invasions, closures, checkpoints, curfews, and shootings and arrests of teachers, lecturers and students.“

First of all, how typically academic of them. They voted in favor of considering a boycott. Even when professors and lecturers of academia are pursuing something they believe most strongly in, they don’t even have the balls to actually follow through with the plan. But by golly, they’re considering it. Aren’t you scared?

Another possible reason why the British snobs are only considering the boycott:

Ronnie Fraser, Chairman of the Academic Friends of Israel organization, who spoke during the debate, said that Britain was the only country in Europe seeking a boycott of Israel.

“There will be very little take up of this issue because Israeli academica is premier league, everyone wants to work with them,” Fraser said. “There are 500 current projects involving Israeli academics in the EU framework. Europe is not interested in a boycott or a moratorium, and its going to have absolutely no effect.”

If only those Jews weren’t so darn smart. I feel like this is probably similar to the emotion felt by politicians and pundits who claim that America’s relationship with Israel is harmful for our foreign policy… If only those Jews weren’t so darn technologically advanced.

And, you know, who really cares if the Israelis are actually civilized and do not believe in barbaric attacks on innocent civilians? They are just too mean.

Concerning the British academics’ concern about the poor ripped and torn fabric of Palestinian society, I think the American Israeli Patriot says it best:

Naturally, there is no mention as to why there are “invasions, closures, checkpoints, curfews, and shootings and arrests of teachers, lecturers and students.” Could it be that Israel is trying to thwart terrorist attacks? Apparently, that is no concern to the UCU if little Mohammad can’t go to kindergarten and watch Jihad Mouse with his wanna be suicide bomber classmates.

Why isn’t the UCU offering scholarships to these poor prodigies? Nuclear Physics would be a very popular curriculum for this bunch. How about Advanced Chemistry? Rocket Science?

Exactly. Why doesn’t the UCU put their money where their mouths are? Perhaps they feel that the investment is too risky? It’s true, London seems to have more than enough problems with the Mohammad+bombs=BFF crowd right now.

I have to admit, though, my favorite quote of the day (I’ve been following the various stories from JPost, Ynet, and Haaretz) would have to be from Ynet’s “‘Israel being ostracized’“:

In Israel, the boycott debate was dismissed by Professor Menachem Kellner, Professor of Jewish Thought at Haifa University.”I’m very disappointed by the British,” he said. “This whole story is not serious. I know that a large percentage of those voting don’t have a clue what’s happening here in the Middle East. Although they’re academics, they swallow rhetoric without checking it though,” he added.

I would argue that it is because they are academics, they swallow rhetoric — especially when it falls right in line with their generally anti-Israel philosophy.

Update: I just noticed that Angel over at Woman Honor Thyself also has a post up about the UK boycott. She makes a great point about the obvious double standard here.