CUPE Ontario to recommend support for ban on Israeli academics in response to Gaza bombings

    TORONTO, Jan. 2 /CNW Telbec/ - 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."
    Resolution 50, adopted in May 2006, supported boycotts, divestment and
sanctions aimed at bringing about the Israeli withdrawal from occupied
territories and a just peace in the region.
    "Clearly, international pressure on Israel must increase to stop the
massacre that is going on daily," said Janice Folk-Dawson, chair of the CUPE
Ontario University Workers Coordinating Committee, whose conference is
scheduled for February. "We are proud to add CUPE voices to others from around
the world saying enough is enough."
    Ryan and other CUPE representatives will join in the demonstration
against the Israeli assault on Gaza at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, January 3
at Dundas Square in Toronto.

For further information: Sid Ryan, President, CUPE Ontario, (416)
209-0066; Pat Daley, CUPE Communications, (416) 616-6142