Israeli Goods Boycott Call at Dundee University

25th February 2009

Students gathered at Dundee University to show their support for a campaign to boycott Israeli goods on campus.

Hosted by the university’s Stop The War group, the public meeting, entitled Reclaim The University, attracted a number of speakers in favour of an ethical investment policy, including the university’s rector Craig Murray.

Two weeks ago almost 200 students attended an emergency general meeting of the students’ association to discuss a motion asking for the termination of the university’s contract with water cooler company Eden Springs.

Although the firm sources its Scottish water from Blantyre, its Israeli parent company has been accused of taking water from the Golan Heights, a Syrian territory occupied by Israel since the 1967 war.

A total of 135 students voted in favour of the motion, however university lawyers advised the student association that terminating the contract with Eden Springs would be illegal and not in the interest of the majority of students.

Craig Kelly, spokes- person for Dundee University Stop The War, said last night that the high turnout proved that student activism was on the up.

“Tonight was about letting students know that their voices can and will be heard, we want people to get involved and help fight apathy on campus,” he said.

“Two weeks ago nearly 150 students voted to boycott Eden Springs but we have now been told that after seeking legal advice, the student union have deemed the move illegal.

“We need to find a way to move on from this decision, we are not just going to sit back and accept it.”

Source: DC Thomson

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