This is simply appalling. The international wacademic left is now indistinguishable from the kind of antisemites who attended Iran’s Holocaust denial conference: UK lecturers support Israel boycott call.

The people who are pushing this agenda are evil. But the ones who are voting for it and assenting to this madness just so they can continue to be welcomed at the right cocktail parties may be worse.

Britain’s University and College Union (UCU), comprising of university academics, voted in favour 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.”

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said after the vote: “I do not believe a boycott is supported by the majority of UCU members... Today’s motion on boycott means all branches now have a responsibility to consulate all of their members on the issue... Any future calls for a boycott must pass key tests before a boycott can be implemented.”

UPDATE at 5/30/07 12:46:18 pm:

More information on this craziness: ENGAGE - FORUM.