I was absolutely stunned when I read about this on Rondi Adamson's blog.
CUPE Ontario's university workers committee will bring a resolution to its annual conference supporting a ban on Israeli academics doing speaking, teaching or research work at Ontario universities as a protest against the December 29 bombing of the Islamic University in Gaza.
"In response to an appeal from the Palestinian Federation of Unions of University Professors and Employees, we are ready to say Israeli academics should not be on our campuses unless they explicitly condemn the university bombing and the assault on Gaza in general," said Sid Ryan, president of CUPE Ontario. "It's a logical next step, building on policy adopted by our provincial convention in 2006."
I am appalled and dismayed by this resolution. Has this union done or said anything about the more than 6000 rockets fired at Israeli citizens by Hamas from Gaza? Has this union done or said anything about the total destruction of the Gazan economy perpetrated by Hamas?
As most readers of EclectEcon know, I have formally sought and received affiliation with both Bar Ilan and Haifa Universities in Israel. If this resolution passes, will I be banned from teaching and working at The University of Western Ontario?