The troubling escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza raises important and urgent questions about how we ought to act individually and collectively.  As a university with a commitment to promoting thought and expression, major international developments such as this one demand considered reflection. 

To support this, the EUCU is holding an open town hall discussion on Thursday, 9th November at 12 noon.  Its purpose is three-fold: 

1) to provide a supportive space for colleagues to share their thoughts and concerns; 

2) to ask how we as a university union branch might respond to the violence in Israel and Gaza; 

3) to consider how this situation can provide lessons for our approach as a union to other conflicts and related concerns into the future.      

We view this meeting as complementing the efforts being taken nationally by the UCU as well as by our senior management (including pointing staff toward support services).  

The Town Hall will be a space to share our thoughts, our worries, and our hopes.  Locally, some members are already developing proposals/motions for what might be done at branch level, as you might have read in relation to the Palestinian Trade Unions call. 

Undoubtedly with a topic such as this there is the potential for differing views.  We will be conducting the discussion with an expectation of mutual respect.  

If you are unable to attend the meeting, we will try to reflect thoughts you wish to share.  Please send them in advance to secretary.eucu@exeter.ac.uk. 

Please join in – it’s your branch, your university and your union. 

Solidarity 

The EUCU Committee

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