[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1536-E1537]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONDEMNING THE DECISION BY THE UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE UNION OF THE 
        UNITED KINGDOM TO SUPPORT A BOYCOTT OF ISRAELI ACADEMIA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 11, 2007

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker. I rise in support of H. Res. 
467, condemning the decision by the University and College Union of the 
United Kingdom to support a boycott of Israeli academia. It appears 
that this boycott reflects the views of only a small minority of this 
esteemed union. This small minority is tarnishing the reputation of a 
union whose membership includes professors of some of the most historic 
and enlightened academic institutions in the world. This boycott 
unfairly targets Israeli academics; it is both biased and destructive 
and should be opposed.
  Academic and cultural exchange is a critical bridge between societies 
and cultures that have no other means of interacting with each other. 
Free exchange of ideas has been shown to be a very positive force in 
bringing people together to overcome their differences. Universities 
should not be conduits for espousing ethnically, religiously, or 
racially biased political ideologies. Throughout history universities 
have been bastions of progressive thinking and cross cultural 
collaboration and they should remain unfettered by such base and 
thoughtless ideas as bigotry.

[[Page E1537]]

  I would like to join with others to support this resolution urging 
government and educators throughout the world to reaffirm the 
importance of academic freedom and open dialogue and to condemn 
measures that would prevent the sharing and exchange of knowledge.

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