The President of Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce expressed their outraged by the UK union's decision, and sent harsh protest letters to the British Chambers of Commerce calling on them to immediately react to the boycott call
Following motion passed late May by Britain's University and College Union (UCU) at its annual congress urging lecturers to "consider the moral implications of existing and proposed links with Israeli academic institutions."
Britain's largest trade union Unison was reported to be weighing a vote on a resolution at its annual conference later this month calling for a boycott of Israel.
While the academics' boycott is of mostly symbolic importance, trade sanctions could have a significant impact on economic ties between Britain and Israel.
Chairman of the Israel-Britain Chamber of Commerce Len Judes expressed regret and disappointment over the decision, and said that: "the boycott does not represent the British government's policy."
Mr. Uriel Lynn, President of Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce, Mr. Oded Feller, president of the Haifa Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Jacob Benizri, president of the Be'er Sheba Chamber of Commerce, expressed their outraged by the UK union's decision, and sent harsh protest letters to the British Chambers of Commerce calling on them to immediately react to the boycott call.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Kingdon, Zvi Hefetz ,called the resolution offensive to the British Jewish community, saying that, "Its slanted phrasing reeks of ignorance."
Israel’s parliament debated a draft law last week that could lead to a consumer boycott of all British goods. The proposed Bill is aimed at punishing Britain for recent threats from its largest trade union and UCU, the university lecturers’ union, to boycott Israel for occupying Palestinian land. The prospect of a boycott has prompted concern among the Israeli public. Leading commentators denounced the moves as anti-Semitic. Now a group of politicians has promised a harsh response, calling for Israel to begin its own boycott against Britain.
Danny Yatom, a member of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, said: “If a state boycotts any products of Israel there will be retaliation the exact same way. This is not a one-way street.”
Welfare minister Isaac Herzog said there was "an active Muslim minority joining forces with left-wing elements in the British public. This continues a long trail of acts of anti-Semitism and one-sided reports against Israel in the media. "We see in Europe today worrying acts of anti-Semitism coupled with anti-Israeli feeling. All this is a major challenge for Israel and the Jewish people."
