(JTA) — The Teachers’ Union of Ireland adopted a resolution backing an academic and cultural boycott of Israel.
Israel was seen as an “apartheid state” in the motion passed unanimously on April 4 during the union’s annual congress. The union represents more than 14,000 teachers and lecturers.
The measure called for members "to cease all cultural and academic collaboration with Israel, including the exchange of scientists, students and academic personalities, as well as all cooperation in research programs,” according to a report on the website of the Center for Research of Globalization.
Gerry Quinn, the union’s vice president, seconded the boycott motion.
David Harris, the executive director of the American Jewish Committee, said in a statement that the Irish teachers’ action “undermines the cause of Israeli-Palestinian peace by singling out, unfairly and without reference to the facts, one side in the conflict for targeting and isolation.”
