Firm News

The University of Haifa instructs Mishcon de Reya against the AUT

Release Date:

09 May 2005

The University of Haifa has consulted Anthony Julius of law firm Mishcon de Reya in its dispute with Association of University Teachers (AUT) following the passing of the AUT's resolution to boycott certain Israeli universities, including the University of Haifa.

At its annual Council Meeting on 20-22 April 2005, the AUT passed a number of boycott resolutions aimed at Israeli institutions and academics. Among these was a resolution calling for the boycott of the University of Haifa.

In a letter to Sally Hunt, General Secretary of the AUT, Mishcon de Reya states that:

“The University [of Haifa] is not, as the resolution suggests, an institution that demands conformity to a particular view. On the contrary, it prides itself on its encouragement of diversity of opinion among its students and faculty members. In consequence, approximately 20% of its current student population comprises Arab-Israelis”.

The letter continues,

“The AUT has, both by the assistance it gave to the resolution’s sponsors and by its publication of the resolution on its website, defamed University of Haifa. Our client is entitled to seek damages, a retraction and an undertaking against further publication of the defamations.”

University of Haifa awaits the outcome of the Special Meeting to be held on 2 May 2005.