Those who accuse the UCU of anti-Semitism have a record of reckless accusations

Ephraim Borowski and SCoJeC's dishonesty

"It is indicative of the dishonesty of SCoJeC officers involved in this affair, the lengths they will travel to smear opponents, that the allegation of anti-Semitism, utterly without foundation, was surreptitiously inserted into this publicly subsidised publication only after Scottish Government officers had checked and agreed to support the volume. SPSC alerted the Scottish Government to the libel and the implications of their being dishonestly manipulated to endorse it. "

Sally Hunt
General Secretary
University & College Union
Carlow St
London NW1 7LH

Dear Ms Hunt

I am writing on behalf of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign in response to a letter you have received (30th June 2011) from four members of the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities alleging anti-Semitism by the University and College Union. The signatories included Paul Spicker and Ephraim Borowski, respectively Chair and Director of SCoJeC.

The signatories of the letter alleging anti-Semitism identify themselves as members of SCoJeC, an organisation which has a track record of maliciously and dishonestly making allegations of anti-Semitism against a range of bodies that support Palestinian human and national rights, including the Scottish TUC and our own campaign.

To take but one example, in June 2008 SCoJeC published a volume entitled Scotland’s Jews over the name of Ephraim Borowski. The work contained the malicious, dishonest and libellous allegation that Scottish campuses had been experiencing “publicity campaigns that demonise Jews by organisations such as the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign.” Following libel action initiated by SPSC, all 6,000 copies of the book had to be pulped.

It is indicative of the dishonesty of SCoJeC officers involved in this affair, the lengths they will travel to smear opponents, that the allegation of anti-Semitism, utterly without foundation, was surreptitiously inserted into this publicly subsidised publication only after Scottish Government officers had checked and agreed to support the volume. SPSC alerted the Scottish Government to the libel and the implications of their being dishonestly manipulated to endorse it.

The claim by the SCoJeC signatories that “we take no position on Israel” is risible. Their claims often aim simply to discredit supporters of Palestinian rights. One of the signatories of the letter to the UCU, Paul Spicker, wrote as Chair of SCoJeC to the STUC attacking “protests and demonstrations about Israel in Scotland” and suggesting they might be “feeding…racism”, while ignoring, for example, the UN Goldstone report detailing Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign has a proud record of support for Palestinian human and national rights combined with opposition to all forms of racism, including genuine anti-Semitism. We are happy to offer relevant materials to UCU Scotland branches, as well as speakers to deliver a short presentation on the campaign by Zionists to attack trade unionists and others who have pledged solidarity with Palestine. Scottish PSC is an anti-racist campaign committed to human rights for all.

Yours

Mick Napier
Chair
Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign
c/o Peace & Justice Centre
Princes Street
Edinburgh EH2 4BJ
00 44 (0)131 620 0052 / 00 44 (0)795 800 2591
www.scottishpsc.org.uk