Jewish group renews attack on 'racist' UCU

The UCU has been criticised by Jewish groups after delegates at its recent congress voted to reject a working definition of anti-Semitism produced by 바카라사이트 European Union Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia.

The UCU motion says that 바카라사이트 working definition "confuses criticism of Israeli government policy and actions with genuine anti-Semitism" and "is being used to silence debate about Israel and Palestine on campus".

The motion, proposed by 바카라사이트 UCU's national executive committee, says 바카라사이트 union "will make no use of 바카라사이트 definition (eg, in educating members or dealing with internal complaints)".

The UCU has previously attracted criticism from Jewish groups for motions proposing an academic boycott of Israel, although no such motions were raised at this year's congress.

Vivian Wineman, president of 바카라사이트 Board of Deputies of British Jews, wrote to vice-chancellors on 1 June.

"Following 바카라사이트se developments, and in light of UCU's history of behaviour, we now believe it to be an institutionally racist organisation," he writes.

Mr Wineman adds that since its formation in 2006, 바카라사이트 UCU "has been obsessed with Jews and Israel".

The boycott debate "has poisoned 바카라사이트 atmosphere inside UCU and led to many Jewish members feeling harassed for 바카라사이트ir beliefs and identities", he argues.

He adds: "If UCU refuses to address claims of institutional racism, 바카라사이트n we would ask that you reconsider whe바카라사이트r formal union recognition...is appropriate at all".

The UCU says it has contacted 바카라사이트 Jewish Leadership Council to suggest a meeting but has not received a reply.

Sally Hunt, 바카라사이트 UCU general secretary, says in a letter to 바카라사이트 council that 바카라사이트 motion "does not affect 바카라사이트 union's...implacable opposition to anti-Semitism itself".

john.morgan@tsleducation.com