I think it would be very short sighted of Israel to boycott British goods - that would be retaliating against the wrong people.

I would rather see increased pressure on the UCA to get rid of their Nasty Nazis (for that is what they are) who are responsible for this war against the Jewish people.

MazalUK, London, England

The hatred of Israel by self hating British Jews is the most dangerous.
Harold Pinter is one of these. I work with Arabs and Jews in Israel as a theatre director, and recently have worked on his play" Ashes to Ashes" which evokes the holocast. How can such a brilliant playwright be so blind and unperceptive when he talks of Israel as being the cause of all the trouble in the whole Middle East? Harold Pinter and other Jewish intelectuals should examine their motives, their underlying self hatred which leads them to find favor in Britain, to try to become more British than the British . If the Nazis had conquered Britain Mr Pinter, would have been taken from Hackney HIgh school along with all the other Jewish boys to the kind of camp that he hints at in Ashes to Ashes.

Brenda Landes Kibbuts Geva Israel, Geva, Israel

This British Boycott of Israeli academics and Israeli goods mirrors the actions of the Nazis against European Jews. Will every professor be wearing a gold star on their chest with the words "Juden" embroidered upon them? Will all goods have a large stamp specifying that they have been created in Israel? I actually would like to see the businesses of Britain try to exist with out Israeli made goods. This way we won't have to listen to their biased opinions- they won't have access to the internet or be able to use their cell phones.

C., Florida, US

////It is not anit-semistism it is anti-israel. Jews are not the only semitic race the arabs are to. You can't say that supporters of the Palestinians are anti-semitic, they are anti-israeli.

Frankie, Portsmouth, England////

Wel Frankie, you are correct. Arabs are a semitic race.

You are incorrect, the word "Antisemitism" was invented in Germany to specifically mean "Anti-Jewish".

Antisemitism has NEVER meant emnity against Arabs. That is called "Anti-Arab" sentiment.

StuartR, Hemel, UK

////Good - then we should extend it to more than just a boycott of their 'academics'. We should boycott every single product of the Israhelli criminal state. Let's see who suffers more.

Alastair, Huntingdon, ////

Well Alastair I urge you to go through with your boycott. I won't be reading your reply because you will have to shut down the computer and stop using the Internet. Cisco, Intel and Microsoft dominate those and some of their R & D and manufacturing facilities are in Israel.

When you child has to go for a body scan please make sure it isn't a 3-d holographic scanner developed in Israel. Check those life-saving drugs to make sure they weren't developed in Israel. Throw away that mobile phone.

You will end up in a cave. Doh!

StuartR, Hemel, UK

/////How is the aparthied that Israel conducts in palestine any different from what happened in South Africa////

Because South Africa created apartheid against its own citizens whereas Palestinians are NOT citizens of Israel. Palestinians come under their Hamas government, who indulges in Apartheid against Christian Palestinians.

In Israel all non-Jews have equal rights with Jews, hence Israel can't be a racist/apartheid State.

Logic says that if you call them an Apartheid State then you refer to the State of Israel, which clearly has no Apartheid.

Saudi Arabia has motorways labelled "Muslims Only". When will you be boycotting THAT Apartheid State?

StuartR, Hemel, UK

I think Isreal would be falling into a a well laid trap if they chose to boycott British goods. All it would do would create more negative headlines about a conflict that most British people dismiss as being to complicated to understand. This must be to the absolute chagrin of the British media who have been doing their best to simplify the whole thing into a simple tale of good (palestinisns) vs evil (Isreal) for many years. Boycotting British goods would have the effect of polarising opinion squarely against Israel by the simple premise that 'they don't buy our goods so lets not buy theirs'. As long as this weeks delivery of Israeli Asparagus down at the local Tesco is cheaper than the seasonal British alternative then everything should be okay.

Paul, liverpool, uk

Sir,
"... the only true semitic language surviving is Arabic...Hebrew...is a largely artificial construct...no one is sure how Hebrew was pronounced in ancient times"

Modern Hebrew as spoken in Israel was revived by reference to its cousin, Arabic.
To state that Arabic speakers are not Semitic whilst Hebrew speakers are, is frankly quite disingenuous.
Is it not enough that the residents of Mandate Palestine are deprived of their ancestral homes & farms, that they have to be deprived of their identity?

Both Semitic Arabians and Jews should be allowed to live in Mandate Palestine. The father of the Arabians and Jews in Hebron/ Al-Khalil is buried in the tomb of the Patriarchs. Both are forced to meet each other in this place. Is that beyond the wit of man? This must be the longest running inheritance dispute in history.

SC, London, United Kingdom

A common misconception is that all jews are Israelis, they are not! There are French jews there are Irish jews there are Spanish jews, there are jews in most countries around the world including the countries whose jewish populations suffered the most during the nazi period. There are many Jews globally, including jews in Israel who condem the policies of their government towards the Palastinians. I am sure that many jews also applaud the UCA in placing the shameful treatment of the Palestinians by the Israelis in the spotlight. What we must all remember and never forget is that Judaism is a religion not a nationality however much Israel and her propagandists try to blur the issue.

Kevin Sullivan, London, UK

The Jerusalem Post has a news article today entitled "Why Britain". Those commenting here, especially the anti-Israel contingent, should take a moment after clearing their heads as best they can of their anti-Semitism, and read it.

Yaakov, California, USA

Hi I'm from israel. First, Do not pay attention to our politicians, they are considered mentally challenged here.
I'm a jew from the mixed city of Haifa. About one third of frineds are Arab oriented, most of them are arab christian and druze, only 1 is a muslim. My political point of view are located somewhere to the center-right views. I have many argues with my close arab friends about politics, but when missiles hit Haifa by the Hizbulla', all citizens were a target, no matter their name, sex, etnicity.
I work in Israeli High-tech firm, with arab co-workers as managers, engineers, and regular employees.

After reading some of the responses here, I fear the next 11/9 is likely to hit Britain. So many are like the 3 monkeys. Israeli people don't really get bothered from this embaracing act. We feel sorry for europe for being taken by "Islam nation", with Britain included. Diversity and integration is not part of Arab muslim point of view. (Lebanese christians as an example)

Daniel Heilper, Haifa, Israel

To Gareth Evans: I understand your frustration at the common made link between anti-Israel sentiments and anti-semitism but perhaps you should read 'K Urban' 's comment to shed a little light on that issue. How one can even make such a comparison must repulse anyone who values the importance of factual history and more importantly, human life.

Israel cannot be expected not to react to a gross injustice in the form of the UCU boycott. Israel continually displays restraint and morality, despite ongoing rocket attacks on civilians in Israel from Gaza, which exceeds beyond what any other democratic country would do.

Debra Freedman, London, UK

The REAL problem is that the boycott is one-sided. Though I am Jewish, I agree with a number of criticisms lodged against Israel. I think that their policies, e.g. building of the wall, are sometimes extremely unwise, counterproductive and just plain wrong.

HOWEVER, what is extremely troubling is that the criticisms of Israel, and the boycott itself is entirely one sided. Why are their no statements by UCU condemning violence perpetrated by Palestinian militants against innocent Israeli citizens? What is it that is SO compelling that white, Christian Brits feel that they must focus their attention on what Israel has done, when there are so many much more serious humanatarian crises all around the world? And what of British atrocities? Why has no one complained about the fact that Cherie Blair defended the rights of Brits to purchase holiday homes stolen by Turkish Cypriots from their Greek Cypriot counterparts?

Why doesn't UCU vote to condemn violence from ALL parties?
WHY?

Howard Fredrics, Hampton Wick, Surrey

The focus of the academic boycott is not on individual Israeli academics many of whom have made a courageous stand in upholding human rights for Palestinians and crticizing Israeli policy but on Israel's academic institutions that are de facto organs of the state that are complicit in the Israeli oppression of Palestinians particularly where freedom of expression is concerned and the right of Palestinians to pursue further education. Academics the world over know often to their cost that they do not work in some academic ivory tower where there is free exchange of knowledge but in institutions that are funded by a state and/or donor benefactors that may have very different agendas and moral judgements to those whom they employ. Now you may disagree with the effectiveness of boycott actions but they are not counter to academic freedom they are fighting for it. As the Knesset is contemplating boycotting British goods etc it certainly seems to have touched a raw nerve.

Paul Hughes-Smith, London, UK

The Great British Empire that was brought into being by Britain conquering countries all over the global, now have the cheek to criticize Israel for defending itself against would be Palestinian terrorist conquerers? What a two faced joke that is!
By the way, I hope Arabic is being taught in UK schools, it will be useful in the future if you continue your current approach to the middle east.

Peter, Auckland, New Zealand

Jason, Bristol, Great Britain: "Correction to "Stanzler, Haifa , Israel" When the Jews bore false witness against Christ resulting in his death, the Covenant between God and the Israelites was broken. Read your Bible!"

Wonderful, one religious bigot correcting another....

Dan, Hampton, UK

The only point of a boycott is to shame a country that is shameless in its treatment of the Arab people it occupies and those who it expelled (in 1948 and 1967). Furthermore, quite apart from the boycott, Israel should no more (or less) be included in European cultural and academic events than Lebanon, Egypt, or the other states of the Mediterranean. Israel in fact enjoys special privileges despite its apartheid policies. When all Palestianians are given a right to return, and recompensed for their years of enforced exile, then only will there be a just peace. I would like to see Israel retaliate because I would like to see a full European boycott, though I doubt either will happen.

David, London, UK

As Mark in Nottingham has written, this is exactly the kind of disproportionate over-reaction typical of Israel. A few academics in the UK vote to boycott institutions that support the crimes of their state in order to put pressure on that state to comply with international law (and, yes, comparaable pressure should be put on ALL states that have such a history of human rights abuse). Immediately the response is a threat to boycott that whole state whose 'crime' is to include a few citizens who decide to enforce a boycott. This is proof of Israel's insane over-reaction, founded psychologically on a long history of religious persecution, but now unable to recognise its own responsibilities as a state, or to understand any political structure. Tragic and very dangerous. If this were an individual, (s)he would be sectioned.

sylvia london, London, UK

More mendacity, the USS Liberty was fired on because it was giving our troops position and numbers information to the arabs who were fighting us.

Israel has Muslim members of the Knesset, NO Muslim nation has Jewish govt members, most Muslim countries now dont even have Jews.

"The UK has been anti Jewish since William conquered it. Perfidy, thy name is Albion."

Yaacov Levi, Itamar, Israel

Jewish Nobel Prize Winners
* Chemistry (29 prize winners, 19% of world total)
* Economics (22 prize winners, 38% of world total)
* Literature (13 prize winners, 13% of world total)
* Peace (9 prize winners, 10% of world total)
* Physics (47 prize winners, 26% of world total)
* Physiology or Medicine (53 prize winners, 28% of world total)

Who will really loose out by boycotting jewish academic establishments?
Once again the British show the world how arrogant and foolish they can be. This boycott makes me ashamed to work in education in the UK.

sam, birmingham, west midlands

Correction to "Stanzler, Haifa , Israel" When the Jews bore false witness against Christ resulting in his death, the Covenant between God and the Israelites was broken. Read your Bible!

The semitic tribes of which Arabs and Jews are one and the same have a common fault, they both believe violence is the answer to their problems.

Israel should not use cluster bombs on civilian populations and they should lead by example. The example they are showing is brutality and murder so can they expect anything less in return?

Both sides must make definite moves for peace, violence just makes the Arms manufacturers wealthy!

Is it not strange that so much misery in the world is in the name of religion and the real irony is that Jews and Arabs worship the same God!

Jason, Bristol, Great Britain

I wish someone would once and for all explain to me what is anti-semetic. As I understand it if you pick on any person simply because they are a jew then this is anti-semetic; if however your aim is to complain against an unjust country Israel then this is not anti-semetic unless you consider the millions of non Israeli jews are tarred by the same brush.

When will we stop serious discussions about the Palestinian/Israeli problem just because they scream anti-semetic.

I would like to ask everyone to consider how they would feel if your property was taken from you and given to someone else just because a bigger country said so. I for one would fight to the death to get either justice or revenge.

Frankly Britain should be ashamed of itself for allowing this in the first place and secondly for allowing the remaining peoples to be victimised in this manner.

Joseph Kellie, Edinburgh, Scotland

One philosopher cannot boycott another. The proposal is a contradiction of fairly elementary logic.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK

Occupation is a far nicer word to describe the reality in palestine. Aparthied would be a better choice. Claims of anti-semitism do not give the nation of israel carte blanche to repeatedly break international law. Citizenship is based on jewish blood quantum, palestinian and israelis have different colored licence plates (reminicent of star of david arm bands) , certain roads are reserved for israelis, and the list goes on. Putting the palestinians in ghettos, after the nazis did it to them blows my mind. The israeli economy is based on farming land that they have stolen from palestinians, lebonese, and syrians. the boycott is a good idea

keeyan, lawrence, USA

If you look below these comments at the other mid east stories listed "women broadcasters told to wear hijab or face death" "more clashes as second radical group etc" " 2 soldiers die as lebanon fighting spreads" all have nothing to do with Israel" the jew baiters and haters should have a homer simpson moment. 2 more generations and we in England will finally get it, but why the left wing wants to condemn the english to live like the israelis, blackburn and birmingham being our gaza and west bank I do not know. These people just seem to want to kill, after Israel us brits.

Doug, London,

It's important to realise that the overwhelming majority in the British academic institutions are not anti-semetic aka anti-jewish, they are on the basis of current human rights and anti-education atrocities especially to non-jews against the Israeli government and certain unethical and despicable Israeli educational institutions.

Our government maybe weak and follow in the steps of the US but the British people know the difference between right and wrong. As we have 'often' (that's non-governmental aka the public) in the past taken the moral lead we should continue to do so.

Tony, London, UK

What will be missed with a boycott of Israeli goods?

Well for one you should probably shut the lid of your computer now - thats most likely got an Intel Israeli-developed chip in it. If it doesn't and your using a Microsoft NT system that is Israeli developed too. The mobile phone was invented in Israel so I guess a boycott means none of those. I could go on...

Ben, London,

Why do commentators always suggest anti-semitism lies at the root of every perceived negative stance against Israel? Is it not possible to separate those who disagree without racial prejudice from those who are motivated by racial intolerance. It seems all too often this 'trump card' rears its head as a device for eliciting sympathy

Gareth Evans, London, England

Thnak you very much UCU for putting the UK in this mess. Because of your threats of boycott now the Israelis want to boycott British products. However this boycott by Israel doesn't make sense because the Israelis are not targeting the UCU and those academics. They are rather targeting British businesses who have absolutely nothing to do with this academic boycott. So despite the fact I'm fully pro-Israel in the Arab-Israel conflict I will never support this proposed boycott of British products by Israel.

Daniel Fernandes, Northampton, UK

Israel is abusing its power just as the Nazis abused their power.

The only difference is that what the Israelis are doing to the Palestinians is slow and prolonged torture in what are concentration camps over some 40 years, as against the capital punishment methods used by the Nazis.

I agree with Kevin Sullivan of London that Israel and the pro Israel lobbies have stifled any debate on the issue - so much for liberal democracy.

Israelis have behaved like child abusers - abused themselves and then go on to grossly abuse others.

K Urban, London, UK

All Israel needs to do is stop living in denial...acknowledge that they are an occupying, oppressive military state. No need for boycotts & even less for the (now meaningless) phrase "anti semitism". End the occupation, it's that simple.

dominic, lancs, uk

Good - then we should extend it to more than just a boycott of their 'academics'. We should boycott every single product of the Israhelli criminal state. Let's see who suffers more.

Alastair, Huntingdon,

If the British academic establishment does not want Israeli academic know-how there are plenty of other countries such as China and America, for example, who will be pleased to make use of it, like any other valuable commodity.

Charles Smyth, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Perhaps, the best thing that could happen is for Israel to call for a boycott against the UK and British goods. This would certainly be a wake-up call for the people of Britain to know exactly the kind of country that their government has been supporting and whose oppression of the Palestinians and whose wars against Lebanon they have been endorsing for more than five decades. While the politicians in the US are either totally in thrall to/or intimidated by the Israel lobby, there are those in the UK who have had the guts to speak out against Israel and they will surely take the lead in properly sticking it to that racist state in a manner that should have been done long ago.

Jeff Blankfort, San Francisco, USA, California

We Canadians don't take kindly to UK unions boycotting Israel, the only brave country left in the world. My association of professionals in the forest industries has called on the liquor boards in Canada to remove British ale from their shelves in protest.

brad stroud, Kitchener, Canada

Unfortunately this is the exact opposite of what the Israeli government should do. What they should do is ignore the boycott (which was voted on by a very very small percentage of the UCU's members). The boycott should be treated with the contept it deserves.

Deborah, Copenhagen, Denmark

Muslims blow up British railroad and British antisemitic psuedo intellectuals boycott Israel. And reading some of these messages from Britain makes one see just how stupid you are., like a bunch of lemings.

Hilda, USA,

If the Israelis choose to react by having a boycott on Britain so be it ! This is not the US where a pro Israel lobby smothers at birth any debate on the Palestinian question. Anyway, have the Israelis ever listened to anyone other than the US? Our politicians are out of touch with the electorate, many like myself are outraged at the constant inhuman treatment of rthe Palestinians which can be taced back 40 years, with no end in sight. I applaud the UCA for their stand on placing this disgraceful ongoing situation, (which the world along with many pro - US Arab regimes to their disgrace tolerate) in the public arena.

Kevin Sullivan, London, UK

There are 300 million Arabs who are Semitic. Therefore , anyone using the word Semitic, if you aren't referring to 300 million Arabs but, are referring to 17 million European Jews, you are racist.

Ghazy Kader, shoreline, wa

Just a couple of days after the boycott decision Arab TV showed how little tots are dressed in uniforms and 'trained' to be Jihadists (Martyrs). Is that what the British academics apprecite? Let them look at news footage of forty years ago when Nasser and other Arab leaders threatened to erase Israel, ordered the UN peace keepers out, closed the Tiran Straits and massed their armies on the 'cease-fire lines', they were never 'borders'.
According to the trillions of sterling 'donated' by the world over the last sixty years to the Palestinians they should be the richest nation on earth, but what can you do when instead of food you buy weapons? Have you notices how there is NEVER a shrotage of guns and weapons in 'poor' Gaza? Time the Brits got 'real'!

Emanuel Fischer, Jerusalem, Israel

I see that the anti-Israel boycott supporters on these pages
have been brainwashed by hard-left media, that will never opensly say something against Islam or the Arabs, but has plenty of ctiticism for US/UK/Blair/Israel etc.

One think I don't understand though...
Hasn't the National Union of Journalists declared boycott of Israel?

What is Sonia Verma and the BBC doing in Israel then?

(clue -- they cannot operate freely in any other country around Israel,
so they cannot find that much dirt).

Seriously, how come they live in Israel, pay car-rentals and eat in Israeli restaurants when their union has declared a boycott..

Attributor, Montreal, Canada

I'm glad Israel threatening a boycott of British goods -
I for one living in Canada Will no longer buy British products , in support of israel.

gandolf, pei , canada

lol @ Michelle Cantoni -
Israelis must 'love' being attacked by all the countries around them run by Dictators, they must 'love' having rockets fired at them and 'love' suicide bombs sent to them and before that they must have 'loved' being gased and thrown into ovens.
Wake up and smell the racism.

Zened, London,

I am British and I totally support Israel in their fight against terrorism. I apologise that there appears to be antisemtic racists in my country - hopefully they are few in number.

Nick, London,

Antisemitism can be easily detected.
If an act by a Jew is treated differently from a similar act by a non Jew then antisemitism has occurred.
Whether they like it or not, the boycotts proposed by the British trade union and the University Lecturers are antisemitic acts.
Their protestations are specious.

Leonard Rosten, Solihull,

Some people really don't GET the situation in Israel. Israel is a country surrounded by entire nations intent on its complete destruction. Just because it is effective at defending itself does not automatically make it in the wrong. Then guess what, along come a group of silly Guardian reading lecturers trying to meddle in Israel's politics and policies - they might have a different opinion if someone fired a missile into their house. Guys, stick to wearing elbow patches and sipping tea in nice safe lecture theatres, and stop bothering the grown ups, ok?

Shane, Guildford, England

You have to wonder why with dictatorships all over the planet and a number of other countries occupying territory so why is Israel always picked for boycott? Nothing to do with the Israelis being Jewish I’m sure.

Ralph, Oxford, UK

Sonia Verma in her own anti-Israel sentiment is very quick to rush and blame Israel for counter-boycott -- when in fact only a few people, probably outraged , have called for it...

Attributor, Montreal, Canada

I am still awaiting a rebuke from the many pro-Palestinian organisations or the many Humanitarian organisations to the attacks and bombs laid on by the Lebanese army on Palestinian camps in Lebanon. Or, is this now considered proportionate since it is not Israel defending herself?

Paul C, London, UK

Isn't it fascinating how the British, et al., (so-called academics) call Israel+Zionism=Racism, when everyone fails to mention the expulsion of thousands upon thousands of Jews who lived in the Arab countries for centuries? How about Saudi Arabia, which does not permit any other religion BUT Islam in its borders? Is that not striking to anyone else? It is mind-boggling how totally irrational anti-Semitism is, and how such a tiny tribe of individuals engenders so much fear and loathing - the total lack of tolerance that Arab countries show toward any religion but Islam, is of course swept under the rug. How many mult-million Arabs are there, who want to see this tiny collection of achievers annihilated? Unbelievable and pathetic! You Brits should be ashamed of yourselves - you are a pathetic lot indeed.

Evlin, Cincinnati, USA

We will miss Israeli dates. Thats about all.

Z Hussain, Rochdale, UK

How is the aparthied that Israel conducts in palestine any different from what happened in South Africa. The whole world put pressure on the SA white government to dismantle aparthied and it worked. But unfortunately any attempt to put pressure on Israel is treated as anti-semitic. Which one of the supporters of Israel here would like to live in a England occupied by another country, where you cannot find jobs and you cannot travel anywhere because you are caged in by walls and occupying armies.
The only reason Israel is able to get away with it, in today's world is because of support from America, and powerful supporters of Israel in America threatening to bankrupt anybody who is vocally opposed to palestine occupation, using American laws that were legislated to protect American interests not Israeli interests.

Mark Gill, London,

Your academics should read and digest, maybe also understand, Nick Cohen's book "What's Left". Their left wing credentials are an impediment to reasoned thought especially on Israel. An academic
boycott is both stupid and limiting to British Universities because Israeli research and liberal thinking are in the forefront of excellence. I am embarrassed by these academics, their union and leaders.

A. Charles, Zejtun, Malta

The reaction to Israel's cruel dominance of Palestine is understandable.
The inequity of the the Israel-Palestine situation is the root cause of terrorism. The answer lies in the 40 year old unanimous UN Security Council resolution which required Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories and for Israel's Arab neighbours to recognise Israel's right to exist within secure borders. Resolution 242 must be implemented if there is to be world peace.

Len Richardson, Brisbane, Australia

Mark from Nottingham states that in a disproportionate move - "Israel responds with a threat to boycott the whole country".

No, a handful of MKs suggest such a proposal is read before the parliament.

Some might suggest your comment is exactly the sort of incorrect statement that continues to fuel a total misrepresentation of the conflict in the Middle East.

That Israel (and of course, many other countries) often acts disproportionately or incorrectly is not in dispute.

However, that those in favour of a boycott at the UCU are - as with other unions before it - putting promotion of a fashionable cause celbre ahead of seeking improved pay and conditions for their members, can also not be denied.

Mayer Nissim, Manchester, England

This boycott has nothing to do with the government of Britain. This is an education trade union threatening to boycott contacts within Israel. I think Israel is acting like a spoilt kid! this has nothing to do with trade! This is either great spin by the Israelis or a massive misunderstanding. By the way I think the person who gave the idea of a trade boycott against a EU member state should get fired, as it is only going to create more problems fro Israel. Lets call their bluff.

Joseph, Sheffield, Yorkshire

Having read the Israeli comments here, I'm glad they're threatening a boycott of British goods - I for one do not want them using our products or having any business with us.

Tim, London, UK

Israel is treated with double standards unlike. They might occupy the West Bank, but that isnt to say by an stretch of the imagination that they are an apartheid state, or that this occupation is brutal. They have built a security fence which has saved lives of hundreds of its citizens from suicide attacks. Most countries have walls on their borders so why is this a problem. I agree, Israel needs to dismantle the settlements, but the Palestinians are hardly role models. This year, more Palestinians have been killed in in-fighting than by Israel.
For British academics to boycott Israel is totally contradictary to their cause. Israel is a democracy, and no matter what you think, that is undeniable. Everything it does is criticised by the world. There is not one Arab country with a Jewish professor in its universities, but in Israel, there are many. It strikes me as ironic that the only state being boycotted here is the only Jewish State in the world.

Ben, London,

Much of this debate is the result of myopic oversimplification.

Neither side is blameless - Israel embarks on expansionist military adventures and commits daily human rights violations which go unpunished, while the Palestinians indiscriminately use terrorism in response and the democratically elected Hamas government increasingly veers towards the dangerous Islamic radicalism popularised by Bin Laden and co. Yet the reality is that the Palestinian people are the victims in all of this - persecuted by the Israelis, ignored by the West, and cynically manipulated by their own leaders and those of their Arab neighbours. Unfortunately their desperate economic, social and political plight increases the appeal of religious zealots, leading to greater instability in the region as a whole, and increasing global tensions between Muslims and non-Muslims. Something must be done to better the lot of the Palestinian people - call me cynical but I don't think an academic boycott is it.

James, London, London, UK

Since when do Trade Unions get involved in International politics.

Why don't they boycott Zimbabwe, Iran, North Korea, China, Syria, USA (for invading Iraq), UK (again, for invading Iraq) and many other countires who violate human rights.


This leads to only one conclusion, that those who vote for the boycott are purely Antisemitic hiding behind the anti-Israel mask.

I do not think Israel should retaliate as this would only be counterproductive.

Mike, Newcastle, UK,

This boycott has nothing to do with the government of Britain. This is an education trade union threatening to boycott contacts within Israel. I think Israel is acting like a spoilt kid! this has nothing to do with trade! This is either great spin by the Israelis or a massive misunderstanding. By the way I think the person who gave the idea of a trade boycott against a EU member state should get fired, as it is only going to create more problems fro Israel. Lets call their bluff.

Joseph Hall, derby, derbyshire

Perhaps now Israel won't buy any more weapons from the UK maybe this is a good thing. in 2005 the UK exported £22.5M worth of arms to Israel - often this "equipment" is used against innocent people, this is in breach of the UK's own arms export rules - the eqipment is used on a civilan populations.

danny, Norwich,

I do not buy products from Isreal as i feel that sanctions imposed against the Palenstineins should be applied to Isreal too. What can be done to encourage all parties to engage in talks and eventual ceasefie. This does sound simplistic and child like but for the government of Isreal to consider boycotting British products because some individuals have suggesting a way so that they can show their dissatisfaction with the situation, to me seems a little childish.

Astra, Maldon, Essex

An Israeli boycott of Britain would hurt much more than a British one of Israel. Britain would find itself without processors for their computers and without the technology chips that makes their mobile phones work!

Sam, Tel Aviv, Israel

If this British organisation are boycotting Israeli goods, does this mean they'll stop using Intel processors in their computers and stop using medicines from Israel? What about using large portions of the Microsoft Windows NT OS?
They'll probably still eat their Jaffa Cakes in meetings as well...

Nasa, Herts, UK

"its about time ordinary people take a stand against the mind blowingly awful treatment of the Palestinian people by Isreal."

No, its about time ordinary people take a stand against the mind blowing hostility of Moslems towards Jews. And Israel. And Hindus. And the US. And Britiain. And the West, and and....

Stop hating Israel, and Israel would be better disposed towards them. Jews do not have warring relations with the rest of the world - Moslems do. The problem, and where it lies, is obvious.

Joe, Manchester,

Israel is not a democracy ask the Christians and Muslims that live in israel.Remember and pay respect to those brave American warriors murderd by israel when they attack our naval ship the U.S.S Liberty on June 6. 1947 without provocation.

Elvis, sovereign, The United States of America

Will the UCU also be boycotting Chinese academics because of China's continued occupation of Tibet? Thought not! It appears that their sense of outrage has been blinded by their political dogma. Just a bunch of anti-semitic, left wing hypocrites then?

andrew brown, derby, uk

Other people's countries, other peoples problems...the best course of action would be to keep our noses out and worry about our own problems. Personally I dont give a fig for either the Israelis or Palestinians. It is just politicians, trade unionists and thier trendy ilk interfering with things that shouldnt concern them. Ordinary people who are just trying to make a living will be the ones that are affected.

Mick Adams, Carmarthen, Wales

So Israel will boycott Britain-so what?

A shortage of a few products on the fruit shelves at the supermarket is going to have an impact only on the carbon emissions involved in getting it here. A good thing, actually.

Chris, Hayle, Cornwall/England

British people are forgetting that :

1)Jews are gods chosen people
2)Persecution throughout history
3)The holocaust (12 million dead)
4)European anti-semitism
5)Israel can do no wrong
6)We have US vito
7)The Israel Lobby

Stanzler, Haifa , Israel

I have no sympathy whatsoever with the Palestinians. they have brought it on themselves. This mickey-mouse "boycott" by a few liberals and reds is a non-event. Israel should yawn and forget it just like the majority of people in the UK already have. Palestine - Yawn. Boycott - Yawn.

Marko, London, UK

classic misdirection to suggest anyone criticising israeli policy is anti-semitic or pro-terrorism (and without a trace of irony on the terrorism front, given israel's history). no more than criticising sudanese government policy makes one pro-black and anti-moslem.

and the israelis and americans whining about the wrongs on the other side does not lessen the injustice. nor does it enhance the prospects for peaceful coexistence.

why takes sides when both sides are so utterly wrong?

jem, london, uk

On the day a group of Palestinians threaten to cut the throats of women who are seen on the street in Non-Islamic garb it's informative to see out of touch these left wing lecturers are. Israel is the only democracy in the region yet these union fools continue to support those who openly proclaim "She [Hamas suicide bomber Re'em Al-Riyashi] is not going to be the last because the march of resistance will continue until the Islamic flag is raised, not only over the minarets of Jerusalem, but over the whole universe." and "We are fighting to destroy you (Europe)". I'm just sorry that the British people are considered in Israel to be all like these people. The unions were out of date 50 years ago, they're just as irrelevant now.

Chris, London, UK

Who do the Israelis think they are. And talking about one way road.....................clean your door steps first.

H. Mathys, Hameenlinna, Finland

most brits and most countries are anti-israel..thats the reality...and its nothing to do with anti-semitism. The reason Israel will be boycotted is because of its indiscriminate war adventures, its apartheid state policy, its illegal occupation actions and its inability to abide by UN Resolutions and the general international community. Israel claims to be a liberal democracy like that of Britain or France, but clearly Israel is far from it. A boycott is necessary to put pressure on the knesset to start listening to the world and end some of its brutal and inhuman tactics.

Mark, Manchester, UK

It is not anit-semistism it is anti-israel. Jews are not the only semitic race the arabs are to. You can't say that supporters of the Palestinians are anti-semitic, they are anti-israeli.

Frankie, Portsmouth, England

Israel just loves a fight whoever that might be with, the UK today someone else tomorow, they will never be a peaceful nation.

Michelle Cantoni, Chipping Sodbury, UK

Regardsless of the views of the people here, or even those proposing the boycots on both side the majority of British people probably wouldn't know this story existed, let alone give too much of a bother about it.
You'll get more opinion if you ask them about what they think of the latest Big Brother housemates and whether they're going to boycott it or not.

Mike, Manchester, England

its about time ordinary people take a stand against the mind blowingly awful treatment of the Palestinian people by Isreal.

Ginny, Brisbane, Australia

It's interesting that Palestinians can keep on sending suicide bombers & fire rocket after rocket while getting western aid yet Israel gets criticised for defending itself.

I ask people who are in favour of this to live next to hostile Islamic neighbours and you’ll soon have your opinion changed

John, Salford, England

I think the proposed boycott of Israeli universities is ridiculous and does nothing whatsoever to help the peace process, and hope that this will be taken no further.
I do not know if I would call it 'anti-semetic', but misinformed most certainly.
I am British and love and support Israel and I defend the rights of Israel and Israelis to everyone I talk to, and for that matter treat Palestine exactly the same way and have friends from both places.
The only way forward for Israel and Palestine is through dialogue, not through violence or these silly badly conceived and ultimately counterproductive boycotts.

Mark Goddard, London, United Kingdom

Will the Police take action against these left wing, anti semitic, pro Islamic terrorist lecturers on the grounds of "inciting racial hatred" - I thought not.

Nigel MacDonald, Camborne, UK

The only message the British academic are sending is that the British can be used to advance the terrorist cause. This sort of thing will only serve to inspire the terrorist & anti-semite networks to continue calling for Israels destruction. Israel has defended herself with more respect for its enemies than any other country in history and should be commended for that. It should be noted that the wall stops the palestinians from sending their youth to their deaths and saves lives on both sides of the border. The British academia would do well to speak out against the education system in Palestine instead of criticising Israel.

Martin, Bedford, UK

Idiot Left wing academics are responsible for this, and the Israeli response is fitting. Muslim hostility lies at the root of the conflict, Palestiniain suffering is not, and insofar as the hostility is now grafted, exported and replicated and echoed all around the world - 4000 UK Muslims under police and MI5 surveillance, over 10,000 sympathetic to Al Qaeda (Times reports), then these idiot Lefties should be challenged for providing an ideological environment which Muslims can and do exploit for their own tribal, hostile reasons.

Joe, Manchester,

The world would be a better place if the "state of Israel" had never been given life. It's existence de stabilises the whole of the region both passivly and activly. Better the jewish nation were given a big chunk of land in the US, from what I hear on the news the vocal majority seem to have come from there anyway!Nice piece of Arizona or Utah would suit. Then see what problems you would have with the displaced locals! Long live Palestine!

John, Hull, England

As a supporter of the boycott, its time we British stood up to the Apartheid policices being pursued in the occupied territories. The theft of land water and other natural resources by Israel as well as the unending occupation.

Amnesty International accused Israel of running a “Israel Leading ‘War Criminals Championship’, with the number of war crimes being perpetrated in the tregion. Have we all forgotten the assault on Lebanon last summer? Just because the politicians are to feeble to do something, should we just sit there and look the other way?

Good on the UCU, at least they have principles.

it would be interesting how far Israels boycott goes, are they going to forego all that aid they get from us? I don't think so.

akram, London,

Boycotting Israel is not an anti-semitic act. It is simply a message to the state of Israel, not the Jewish people.
It is important that the lessons of history are not forgotten, suffering is suffering no matter what country it happens in.

adam, ashford, kent

A group of academics (not the state itself, note) proposes a boycott of Israeli academia, Israel responds with a threat to boycott the whole country. Exactly the sort of disproportionate response that continues to fuel an intractable conflict; exactly the sort of behaviour that has made Israel such a pariah. Protests of anti-semitism are grossly unfair: it's the actions of the Israeli state that rightly arouse worldwide anger, and Israel will need to realise this soon if it is to survive.

Mark, Nottingham, UK

To bloody right who do the brits think they are, the universistys should hang their head in shame at what is going on in english universitys, especially if this is the type of rubbish the lecturers are imposing on your kids, there are wider implications to these type of distortions, thank goodness i live in OZ bravo israel.

alain, sydney, australia

I do not know how many British supporters these anti-Israel resolutions have. I would like to believe that they do not represent the majority of the British public.

I am, however, sure that there are many in Britain who are not anti-Israel. I wish their voice was heard more.

Ehad Haam, Raanana, ISRAEL

Give Palestine back to the Palesinians. After all it was stolen from them by the Jews in the first place. The Jews can go and live in America. They have persecuted the Palestinien people enough.
Then we would see peace in the middle east.

Mike, Bremen,

Without defending the actions of Hamas and other palestinian militant groups, i think these boycotts are a growing sign that the people of Europe are viewing Israel's policies with a sort of realisation. You almost have the same conditions as in South Africa during the apartite years and similarly early pressure for change came from academic quarters while the British government at the time defended regime.

Jiles, London, England

Will that include a boycott on US arms that are shipped via the UK?

John Gresham, Liverpool, UK

There seems to be a rise in anti Semitism here now that one hopes is not linked to Muslim appeasement. If the UK were threatened with extinction by it's neighbours - how would we react?

Ros, London,

I agree with Lesley. Israel does do some nasty things and should be legitimately criticized. But what about Russia in Chechnya? No boycott of Russia. Indonesia in East Timor? No boycott. Sudan and Darfur? Pakistan? Iran? China? Hardly impeccable human rights records. Sorry, it does smell of anti-semitism when there are countries with far worse human rights abuses.

Petra Nahmias, Princeton, NJ, USA

I hope the Knesset will vote it down, why being like them? British academic boycott by itself is the largest abomination the UK did to itself in recent times.

amm, plainview, US

I fully agree with the Israli attutude to the actions proposed. The state of Israel is constantly under attack by the arab states who surround it .. The United Nations has set up the State of Israel and the Arab countries should totally accept its right to exist in peace. Jerusalem would be an ideal situation for the creation of a World City under the control of the United Nations having the joint equal participation of Palestine and Israel. Other nations should be ordered by the U.N. to keep out once and for all.

william, LONDON, ENGLAND

We used to be a land that prided itself on doing the right thing. These policies against Israel feel one-sided. Bravo to Israel! I am happy to see a little country stand up for itself.

Guy Lipof, Cambridge, UK

I would forbid British journalists from entering the country. If they want news, let them use Israeli stringers.

Yaakov Watkins, Denver, usa

The vote proposing the academic boycott is only by a relatively few members of the UCU. It is hoped that the General Secretary of the UCU, Sally Hunt, will allow a referendum of all the union's members on the issue. If she does, the boycott motion is unlikely to survive. On the other hand, this vote does represent a worrying trend in the British trade union movement with respect to its attitude to Israel: Israel is being singled out for unique criticism and condemnation that is not aimed at any other country, even ones with far worse human rights records. So I think that Israel SHOULD do something by way of response.

Lesley Klaff, Sheffield, UK

No faction of the PA ultimately recognises Israel. There is no peace partner for Israel as the aim is the Ummah (Islamification of the whole of the Middle East).

We deserve all we get from Israel, they don't need us to survive, they are the oldest surviving civilisation

kate, stockport, uk

Israelis structure of media is based on the blame game. It is extremely out of proportion to tag anyone who disagrees with the Israeli occupation and foreign policy as anti-Semitic. I find that extremely insulting not only to myself, but also the Jewish faith.

Manraj, Coventry,

Misinformation is the precursor to war. Danny Yatom is quoted as saying that If a state boycotts etc.....
The UCU is a trade union not a state.
The British people are not anti semitic, far from it, but most of us want fair play, although you wouldn't think so from some of our policies.

Terry, Hereford, UK

well done israel i hope the jews of the uk do the same the british are cutting of their noses to spite their face

david morley, aylesbury, uk

it seems as though the Israeli people can't take responsibility for their own actions, and are reduced to playing the anti Semitic card.

Rob, london,

Sixty years of engaging with Israeland appeasing its interests have done nothing for the Palesitians.

Surely a new approach is needed to bring home to the Israelis that they must seriously engage with the Palestinians.

Simon O'Brien, London, UK

then we should boycott all isreali goods

hugh janus, london,

Since the UN approved Israel's right to exist in 1948 it seems to me the Israelis have had to respond to provocation and attack from the Arab world. Other than the Suez conspiracy with Britain and France I am not aware of any significant instance where the Isrealis were the agressor. Their posture has been to wish to live with their neighbours and exist as the state the world endorsed as having a right to be. That they have prevailed in battle is credit to their prowess as a nation.

It is a distortion of these fundamental facts and an impertinence on the part of UK lecturers to suggest Isreal deserves censure for reacting to constant, relentless aggression. No credit to the UK education system if those trained to teach cannot think cogently, and display such immature undergraduate left wing bias as a collective view.

I hope the Israelis can devise an effective riposte.

Anthony Hall, Exeter, Devon UK