ZF STATEMENT ON IRISH TEACHERS BOYCOTT

ZF STATEMENT ON IRISH TEACHERS BOYCOTT

The Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was incensed to learn that the Teachers Union of Ireland has voted to boycott all academic collaboration with Israel, including research programmes and exchange of scientists. 

The decision is an attack on academic and intellectual freedom. In addition, the boycott singles out Israel in a way that demonises the Jewish State in ways that can be seen to be antisemitic. The ZF will be doing all it can to overturn this divisive boycott which damages relations between Israel and Ireland that benefit both nations and can only be to the detriment of the process of learning.

The Chairman of the ZF, Paul Charney said, “The vote by Ireland’s teaching union is a sad day for the freedom of expression and academic learning, which relies on the free exchange of ideas worldwide. This boycott is divisive and demonises Israel. The ZF will be doing all we can to oppose this boycott.”

The ZF and all its members will continue to stand up to attempts to delegitimise Israel.