The Higher Education Minister will visit the Middle East this weekend in an attempt to avert a boycott of British goods by Israeli consumers.

Bill Rammell’s trip has been prompted by the outcry over the proposed academic boycott of Israeli universities. The Government has had e-mails from academic, business and legal figures condemning the idea, proposed by the University and College Union (UCU) congress.

In Israel, several MPs have responded with a proposal that could lead to a consumer boycott of British goods. Danny Yatom, an Israel Labour Party MP, said that the move, which would require British goods to be labelled “this country is involved in an antiIsraeli boycott”, was “designed to punish unfair policies against Israel”.

Mr Rammell said that while UCU members had the right to express their views, he deeply disagreed with them. “The vast majority of people do not agree that an academic boycott is the way to solve the problems of the Middle East,” he said. “I hope to send a message that education can contribute to the peace process as opposed to dividing people.” He will meet Israeli ministers, as well as Israeli and Palestinian academics.

The UCU leadership does not support a boycott.

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