Macwhirter criticised over Israeli boycott backing

Sunday Herald columnist and University of Edinburgh rectorial candidate has been criticised for his support of the proposed boycott of Israeli academics – a boycott which the University and College Union (UCU) has already declared illegal.

The candidate made his remarks during a round-table discussion between Mr Macwhirter, Lord George Foulkes and George Galloway, organised by The Journal ahead of the forthcoming rectorial election.

Following an exchange between Mr Galloway and Lord Foulkes over the Israel-Palestine conflict, Mr Galloway, a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, remarked: “I think unless I didn't hear Iain correctly, I'm the only person who'll support the UCU boycott of Israel.”

Mr Macwhirter responded: “No I support the UCU's boycott. I think you have to be careful, however, not to pose this as purely an Arab and Israeli issue, but I support the UCU campaign.”

Pressed on whether this could be seen as restricting academic freedom and the furtherance of knowledge, Mr Macwhirter said: “I think you have to make moral choices, and this is a very clear one.”

The UCU motion, passed in May 2007, called for moves towards a binding vote on the boycotting of Israeli institutions and academics. Delegated voted by 158-99 in what was positioned as a response to Israeli actions in the region and the perceived “complicity” of academics in the occupation.

However, the vote was condemned by groups such as the Jewish Leadership Council who termed it “an assault on academic freedom,” as well as non-Jewish groups, wary of conflating the actions of the Israeli government with those of the jewish people.

In September 2007, lawyers for the UCU concluded that “a boycott call would be unlawful and cannot be implemented,” effectively killing the motion. The debate over a boycott, however, has continued.

Members of Lord Foulkes’ campaign have condemned Macwhirter’s comments. Former EUSA president Josh MacAlister said: “I was surprised to hear that Iain Macwhirter supports a boycott of Israelis teaching and researching at Edinburgh University. The idea of this boycott is a direct attack to academic freedom and a crude measure that only divides opinion on a really sensitive issue."

Lord Foulkes has been a member of the Labour party friends of Israel for three decades, and opposes the idea of a boycott of Israeli academics. He said: "we should not be isolating Israeli academics who are strongly against the war."

Mr MacAlister warned: ”If this boycott were to go ahead, staff and some students would be asked to leave the university because they have an Israeli passport. Even if they don't support the actions of the state of Israel they would be told to go home.”

Due to time constraints involved in going to print, Mr Macwhirter was approached for a response, but was unavailable to comment at such short notice.