The Physiology Society Rejects Calls for a Boycott of Israel

May 31, 2007

Delegates at the congress of the University and College Union (UCU) this week passed a motion calling on their members to consider a boycott of Israeli academics and institutions.

The Physiological Society objects to this development and strongly reaffirms the principles of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) as stated in Statute 5. That is, "In pursuing its objectives in respect of the rights and responsibilities of scientists, ICSU, as an international non-governmental body shall observe and actively uphold the principle of the universality of science. This principle entails freedom of association and expression, access to data and information, and freedom of communication and movement in connection with international scientific activities without any discrimination on the basis of such factors as citizenship, religion, creed, political stance, ethnic origin, race, color, language, age or sex. ICSU shall recognize and respect the independence of the internal science policies of its National Scientific Members. ICSU shall not permit any of its activities to be disturbed by statements or actions of a political nature".

The Physiological Society strongly supports these stated principles and opposes the proposed call for any form of boycott.