Are you boycotting Saudi Arabia for its treatment of women and gays, the same for Iran and most Moslem countries? Are we boycotting China over Tibet and other human rights abuses?

Please ask yourselves why the Arabs in Israel would rather live there than in any other Arab country.

leila, manchester, uk

Maybe Irish Protestants (or Catholics, have your choice) should be banned from universities.
The last I recall, it was the Brits who drew the boundaries to the Middle East and other post-Ottoman areas (did I mention in Ireland too?) UK college class? Re--build former UK cars or make blood pudding.

Kit Korsholm, Elizabethtown, USA

I am not Jewish or Israeli but British and a student. For the first time in my life I am ashamed to be British. I despair that supposedly intelligent people can allow such a simplistic and partial view of world events to dominate their actions. Watch out, UCU will start burning books next.

Jane Morgan, London,

As a member of the UCU, we have a fantastic and independent union that doesn't kowtow to pro israeli pressure groups. Just look at Barack''s sucking up to AIPAC yesterday. If something in the world is wrong, people should be commended for speaking out rather than attacked and labelled anti semtic!

Michael Regis, London, England

Don't you Zionists ever get tired of talking to yourselves? The real world isn't represented here, hadn't you noticed?

Malcolm, Manchester, UK

Glenn, I think you miss the point. If you don't want academics who "speak out" stiffled, then WHY should Israeli academics be stiffled from speaking out in the UK? This is the one area of Israeli society that is most supportive of Palestinian rights. Its ignorant beyond belief to think otherwise.

Gil, Tel Aviv, Israel

An economic study was done of the impact of the boycott. It seems that Israel will benefit economically (if marginally) but that it will be an economic disaster for the UK. Add to that the fact that this boycott may well contravene your race Relations Act--hence possibly leading to a lawsuit .

Inna, Sacramento, USA

Gil I no more condone the killing of inocent israelis than I do the killing of palastinians. But I am glad that our accademics are speaking out. I do not want our accademics stifled the way they have been in the USA where no accademic dare critisise Isreal for fear of being labeled antisemitic.

Glenn, Torbay,

Glen of Torbay, UK. You say you haven't heard one Israeli academic speak out against what Israel has done to the Palestinians, although many have. The Israeli left have been very vocal over the past 25 years especially. Can you say the same for Arab Academics speaking out against murder of Israelis?

Gil, Tel Aviv, Israel

I have not heard one Israeli accademicc speak out against the appaulling treatment of a whole nation of people who have been gettoised, brutalised and killed with impunity for 60 years, after having been ethnically cleansed from their own country. so good on you guys in our universities.

Glenn, Torbay, England

good on them for standing up for justice.

jay, bradford,

Apalling. I suppose they are tacitly saying to the residents of Sderot that they support the terrorist thugs that rain rockets down on them daily and wish that more Israeli innocents were maimed and killed.
Not in my name - these thicko's are beoynd the pale.

Ethan, nr Dole Farm, UK

I hope these so called "academics" will also boycott Israeli medications that have helped relieved Parkinson's disease, liver cancer and heart disorders.

The next generation of microchips are now being exported by Israel to Japan and their Intel computer chips are also Israeli. Good luck guys!

MazalUK, London, England

its disgusting.... sure israel is doing something that offends people outside its borders... but do not they have the right to protect the citizens from the endless mortars and rockets which do not get reported on the news.

steven, chesterfield, UK

Well said Lee Green, in agreement 100%.

British universities and academia will suffer from this boycott not Israel.

A boycott hardly seems like an intelligent response. if anything it is only endorsing the Israeli boycott of Gaza.

Dominic Pearson, London, UK

As a retired academic and trade unionist I am appalled and
deeply disappointed at the suggestion of passing such a
motion. This appears to be the efforts of members with their
own political agenda who have not studied the true situation
that exists in the region. Shame on them.

Edwin Langsman, Mississauga, canada

Britain is fast becoming a laughing stock. Israel defends itself against brutal terrorism from the Palestinians, and British professors chastise them for it. I guess they just want Israel to drop dead. They hold Israel to absurd pacifist standards, yet hold the Arabs to no standard at all.

Lee Green, Redwood City, CA, USA