Irish teachers say boycott move is a ‘back-handed compliment’

The academic boycott of Israel imposed by the Teachers Union of Ireland is a “backhanded compliment”, the union’s general secretary has claimed.

John MacGabhann said the TUI “expected more” of Israel than it did of other countries and felt a “sense of disappointment” in the actions of successive Israeli governments.

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UJS confident that NUS Israel boycott plan will fail

The Union of Jewish Students is confident that a proposal to implement anti-Israel policies at the National Union of Students will fail.

A motion seeking a boycott of Israel was due to be voted on at the NUS annual conference in Sheffield on Tuesday, but did not go ahead due to time constraints.

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Diamonds on offer at London Literary Festival

A reading from Israeli author Aharon Appelfeld's work, chaired by BBC Today programme presenter James Naughtie, will form part of the line-up for this year's London Literature Festival.

The Israeli writer is nominated for the International Man Booker Award, the winner of which will be announced on May 22.

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Ronnie Fraser yet to decide on UCU employment tribunal appeal

The Jewish academic whose claim of harassment against the University College Union was rejected by an employment tribunal was this week considering whether to appeal against the judgment.

Ronnie Fraser, director of Academic Friends of Israel, is still coming to terms with the tribunal’s dismissal of his claim that the anti-Israel stance adopted by union members amounted to harassment.

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Thatcher, Alan Clark and Finchley

Margaret Thatcher's former parliamentary private secretary has recalled how commitment to her Jewish constituents in Finchley led to the collapse of a plan to discourage the use of animal fur.

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Halpern inquiries continue

Golders Green rabbi, Chaim Halpern, who is under police investigation over alleged sexual assault and perverting the course of justice, was today bailed to return in July.

Three other men, who were arrested on suspicion of perverting the course in connection with Rabbi Halpern’s arrest, have been asked to report to police in May pending further inquiries.

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