The Movement for Reform Judaism

UNISON, the UK's largest trade union, has voted in favour of a complete boycott of Israel. The move, slammed by Stop the Boycott and the Board of Deputies' Fair Play Campaign Group calls for ‘sustained pressure upon Israel including an economic, cultural, academic and sporting boycott.'

Lorna Fitzsimons', Chief Executive of BICOM, said "The whole thrust of rebuilding Israel and a new state of Palestine is about economic engagement, economic reconstruction. The area needs investment and this call by one of Britains' largest trade union is a kick in the teeth to Palestinians.  And how is this going to help the new emergency government in the Palestinian authority? Just as all the democratic countries come to their aid, UNISON appear to be urging everyone to implement a policy which will actually hurt the Palestinians. This is silly. This is bad for Britain and bad for the Palestinians".

Jeremy Newmark, the Chief Executive of The Jewish Leadership Council, echoed these sentiments saying "This vote is not in Britain or the Palestinian's interest.  We might see a tit for tat boycott of British goods; votes could have severe repercussions. At a time when Israel and the Palestinians are engaging with each other at last, this UNISON vote flies in the face of common sense. We should all condemn this impractical and foolish decision."

Jon Benjamin, Chief Executive of The Board of Deputies of British Jews made reference to the recent vote in favour of an academic boycott by the UCU: "The same anti-Israel activists who have promoted the boycott agenda elsewhere were at work here, as is apparent from the praise and support given to the Enough! coalition and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Doubtless they were buoyed by their apparent success at the UCU, but as then and as with the NUJ boycott policy, this decision will hold the Union and, sadly, Britain up for derision and ridicule"
 
Steve Scott, Trade Union Friends of Israel, pointed out that "Boycott, divestment and sanctions motions have been commonplace at UNISON conferences for at least the last five years. And once again, a British trade union has voted for a boycott. We think this is bad for Britain and bad for Palestinians. But at least there has been a debate and many people agree with what the new Brown government, who believe that the best thing for Britain and the trade union movement is to economically engage with Israel and Palestinians."

UNISON has had policy to support a boycott of Israeli goods for at least the last five years. In 2002, the UNISON Executive Committee called for 'a boycott of Israeli goods and services' as well as urging 'the UK Government and the EU to instigate economic and trade sanctions against the state of Israel.' The 2005 conference directed the union to support a boycott of Israeli goods and work 'with other like-minded organisations to bring this about.' However, implementation of any boycott policy has been scarce to non-existent, suggesting that there is little appetite amongst the vast majority of members for such action.

For more information on the Stop the Boycott campaign click here

To view the full UNISON motion click here

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