Tom Hickey, chair of the University and Colleges Union (UCU), and a Philosophy lecturer at Brighton University, proposed the boycott resolution in May, which called on British academics to "consider the moral implications of links with Israeli academic institutions".
In an op-ed published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) on Saturday, Hickey wrote, "As the motion's mover, I have been subjected to sustained vilification. Eminent American professors, and supporters of Israel, have threatened to bankrupt and to destroy the careers of any union members who support a boycott."
"The conflation of a boycott proposal and a proposal to debate the appropriateness of a boycott clearly serves the purpose of those who wish to deflect attention from the substantive issue: the plight of people suffering under occupation," Hickey added.
"So why has the union brought this predictable condemnation down on its head? Delegates decided that we could not ignore what is being done in the occupied territories, or the systematic denial of educational opportunities and academic freedom to Palestinian students and scholars.
"Some BMA (British Medical Association) members have also expressed concern about the complicity of the Israeli Medical Association in the occupation," Hickey wrote.
Alienating the peace camp
The union leader took part in a "debate" on the boycott held by the BMJ, which also ran a subsequent online poll for readers to cast their vote on the issue.Deborah Cohen, Features editor for the BMJ, told Ynetnews that the debate did not reflect the BMJ's stance. "In the past, the BMJ has gone on the record saying it does not support any sort of boycott of Israel," she said, adding, "If you look at the results of the current poll, the vast majority of our readers agree. But the BMJ is keen to reflect discussions occurring amongst its readers in a balanced way."
Michael Baum, professor emeritus of surgery at the University College London, responded to Hickey in the debate, writing, "I support a two-state solution. The Palestinians must have self determination; 60 years of statelessness after the British mandate is enough. This position is held by all my Israeli academic friends and colleagues."
"These academics are the very constituency the boycotters are targeting and are disproportionately represented in the peace camp. How can alienating this group enhance the peace process?" he added.