Israeli academic takes UNISON to court, alleging “racial discrimination”

Cross-posted from Trade Unions Linking Israel & Palestine

For the second time in less than a year, a British union has been taken to court, accused of discriminatory practices regarding Jews and Israelis.  This time it’s the turn of the giant public sector union, Unison.

Israeli academic Moty Cristal had been invited to help run a conflict resolution workshop for Britain’s National Health Service in Manchester, but later found himself disinvited with the explanation given that his presence — as an Israeli — conflicted with the policy of Unison, which represents workers in the NHS.

Unison nationally has denied having any such policy.  While it opposes the sale of goods produced the Jewish settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, it has never adopted a position calling for a blanket ban on all Israeli products, or for that matter, all Israelis.

The case is being heard this week in the Central London County Court.

There has been extensive coverage in the media:

• The Independent
• The Jewish Chronicle
• World Jewish Congress