Update: On May 29, 2006, the British union voted in favor of a boycott of Israeli academics. More

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New York, NY, May 15, 2006 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today strongly condemned attempts by activists belonging to a British lecturers union to revive the boycott of Israeli academics through a blacklist.

One year after a boycott initiative was defeated in another union, the Association of University Teachers, anti-Israel activists in the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (NATFHE), are pushing a resolution at their annual conference, scheduled for May 27 to 29, which would endorse a blacklist of Israeli scholars.  Members of the union will be urged to ask Israeli academics about their political views before cooperating with them.  If passed, the resolution would also enable members to boycott their Israeli counterparts without giving a reason.

"Once again, a group of British academics is targeting Israel, only this time their goals are even more insidious," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "Members of this union are being told that it's acceptable to boycott Israeli scholars on the basis of their nationality and to question them about their political views. By singling out Israel, these activists are once again demonstrating the anti-Semitic agenda which lies at the heart of the boycott movement.

"We call on NATFHE members to reject this resolution and we express support for and solidarity with those courageous British academics who are opposing it," Mr. Foxman said.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.