University College London

UCU Congress 2009

Statement | Resolution

Congress Report

Statement from UCL UCU Executive Committee, 3 June 2009

Dear UCU Colleague,

We must put on record our opposition to a witch-hunt against a colleague and member of the UCU Executive Committee, Sean Wallis, who has been accused on the internet of making anti-semitic remarks at a meeting at UCU Congress.

These allegations arose following a fringe meeting where Sean publicly defended the principle that UCU should not bow to well-funded legal threats concerning the right of the UCU to debate, at Congress, motions pertaining to Israel. This is in line with UCU policy.

Sean totally denies the allegations made against him. The reporter quoted a few words that he allegedly made and then chose to introduce a right-wing conspiracy theory by way of comment. This reporter chose not to approach Sean for his opinion and instead published this 'story' on an internet blog. Since then the story has been copied and amplified until it reached the pages of Ha'aretz. It was only on Monday morning that Sean became aware of the campaign against him by the hate mail that he started to receive.

The Committee can vouch, as can anyone who knows Sean, that he has impeccable anti-racist credentials, and the Executive Committee therefore stands by its Secretary against this witch-hunt, and calls on UCL UCU members to do the same.

UCL UCU Executive Committee

Note. A resolution proposed by the committee was passed unanimously at the Union General Meeting of 4 June 2009.

RESOLUTION: DEFEND UCU BRANCH SECRETARY SEAN WALLIS

UCL UCU notes

1. That a report has appeared in the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz alleging anti-semitism in comments made by UCL UCU branch secretary, Sean Wallis, in a personal capacity, at a fringe meeting at UCU Congress 2009.
2. That UCU delegates voted en bloc in line with branch policy at UCU Congress, including in relation to our position on any putative Academic Boycott of Israeli Institutions.
3. That unfounded allegations have the potential to intimidate and damage this union and its members.

UCL UCU believes

1. That anti-semitism, clearly defined as racism against Jews, must be opposed in exactly the same terms as any other racist ideology, namely, on the basis that an injury to one is an injury to all.
2. That trade union and academic freedom entails the right of members to adopt contrary positions, and to debate international issues on their merits, free from threat of legal action or libel.
3. That this particular allegation of anti-semitism is without foundation.

UCL UCU affirms that Sean Wallis has an impeccable reputation not just as a trade union activist and democrat but also as a consistent opponent of racism in all of its forms, including opposition to anti-semitism.

UCL UCU resolves

1. To stand by our branch secretary and against any witch-hunt of him.
2. To call on the National Executive Committee of UCU publicly to register its support for this union officer in all relevant publications, and to condemn the unfounded campaign being waged against him.

Proposed: UCL UCU Executive Committee
Passed unanimously by over 60 members at a General Meeting on 4 June 2009

(This resolution was amended by the meeting from the original motion sent to members.)