Update on American Studies Association Boycott of Israel

"When a person refrains from speech, the ideas die, the soul stops, and the senses deteriorate" - Moses ibn Ezra (Shirat Yisrael 12c).

 Freedom of thought is an essential human right. It is at the foundation not only of our Jewish tradition, but also our North American societies and international community. It is not a far extrapolation to connect freedom of thought to academic boycott. Why do I make that connection? Because academia and the intellectual world ought to be a sacred place where ideas are shared and lifted above political conflict. It is surely within the rights of individual professors to share their opinions of their government or that of another nation. But, for one of the largest associations of professors in the United States to indiscriminately boycott Israeli professors and intellectual institutions is a gross misunderstanding of the role of academia. Perhaps the members of the American Studies Association do not realize that they are limiting their own freedom of thought and that of their Israeli colleagues by undertaking this boycott. On December 17, the American Studies Association voted in a 2-1 margin in favor of an academic boycott against Israel. After this vote, the ASA became the second major academic institution to do so, after the Association of Asian American Studies. The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Movement began in 2005 when Palestinian NGOs called for the use of those tactics to achieve the goals of: an end of Israel’s occupation of Arab lands; recognition of the rights of Palestinian citizens of Israel as equal; and the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes. It has grown beyond Palestinian organizations to individuals and groups around the world. While portrayed as non-violent and moral strategies to achieving political goals, the Reform Movement has consistently opposed BDS because these campaigns aim to delegitimize Israel and in a simplistic manner, hold it accountable for circumstances that are complex and do not reflect the reality of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As Reform Jews dedicated to a flourishing, peaceful, pluralistic Israel, we have passed resolutions in opposition to BDS. Below you will find a compilation of relevant resolutions on this topic from the Reform Movement. For excellent resources and to learn more about BDS and how to combat it, visit The Anti Defamation League. In response to the disheartening and disappointing decision by the ASA, many American universities have openly criticized this move, echoing concerns that a boycott of this nature goes against the very goals of intellectual exchange. In one of the strongest moves against the boycott, Brandeis and Penn State Harrisburg have discontinued their affiliations with the ASA. The Association of American Universities released a statement on Friday in opposition to the ASA embargo of Israeli academic institutions, adding a powerful voice to the discussion on this matter. AAU is an international organization dedicated to fostering intellectual exchange, high-quality research endeavors, and pushing the limits for what its sixty member universities can achieve. The leadership of the universities that have already refused to recognize the boycott, as well as AAU signifies the strength of our allies and the importance of speaking out against BDS. Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, wrote a blog offering his point of view on the ASA decision, and providing perspective on how to process this development. Furthermore, the President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Rabbi Richard Block, offered helpful insights in a recent Op-Ed at the Huffington Post. What can you do?

• If you belong to an association considering BDS initiatives make your voice heard!
• Become educated on the issue and share your views with others.
• Research the position of your alma mater to communicate your views; be sure to thank those institutional leaders that oppose BDS. For more information, please contact Legislative Assistant Sarah Greenberg at 202 387 2800.

  Reform Movement resolutions and statements: Women of Reform Judaism: Israel and the Middle East (1971) Israel Advocacy (2003) Executive Committee Statement: WRJ Responds to Current Concerns Regarding Israel (2011)   Union for Reform Judaism: Israel (1983) Israel (2001) Divestment and Other Economic Actions As Obstacles To The Advancement of Middle East Peace (2005)   Central Conference of American Rabbis: Freedom of Thought (1974) Israel (1976) Resolution on Arab Boycott (1976) Economic Actions Including Divestment as Obstacles to the Advancement of Middle East Peace (2005)