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Alex Joffe

Alex Joffe

Editor SPME / BDS Monitor

Alexander H. Joffe is an archaeologist and historian specializing in the Middle East and contemporary international affairs. He received a B.A. in History from Cornell University in 1981 and Ph.D. in Near Eastern Studies from the University of Arizona in 1991. From 1980 to 2003 he participated in and directed archaeological research in Israel, Jordan, Greece and the United States. Joffe taught at the Pennsylvania State University and Purchase College, and has been Director of Research for Global Policy Exchange, Ltd., and The David Project, Center for Jewish Leadership.

Joffe's work is uniquely broad. Since 1991 he has published dozens of studies on the archaeology of the Eastern Mediterranean and is a leading figure in contentious debates over the relationship between archaeology and politics in the Middle East. He has also authored numerous works on contemporary issues, including Middle Eastern environmental security threats from pollution and weapons of mass destruction. His work on the problem of dismantling intelligence agencies is widely cited by experts and democratic reformers alike.

In the past decade Joffe has written and spoken on topics as varied as the future of American Jews, the Palestinian refugee problem, and nationalism. During that time as well he has been deeply involved with combating the problems of campus antisemitism, the ‘boycott, divestment and sanctions' movement against Israel, and in educating Jews and others about threats to Israel and the West. His current projects include a biography of a British World War II general and several novels. He and his family reside near New York City.

All stories by: Alex Joffe

US antisemitism strategy helps opponents target IHRA definition as UN takes aim at Israel and its supporters. Commencement speakers attacking Israel provoke controversy as US resumes exclusion of Israeli institutions in the ‘West Bank’ from research funding.
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Introduction The Biden Administration’s new US antisemitism strategy has helped a growing effort to undermine the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, including from the United Nations and the US Congress. The strategy’s positive citation of the rival Nexus definition,…

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IHRA definition controversy peaks with national antisemitism strategy and dueling BDS related legislation. ‘Nakba Day’ sees the ‘Squad’ promoting BDS on Capitol Hill as BDS leader impersonates progressive Jew on Twitter.
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Introduction May saw the culmination of debate over the IHRA antisemitism definition. Left wing groups demanded its exclusion from the Biden administration’s national antisemitism policy while center and right groups demanded its inclusion. The debate, which has stretched from campuses…

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‘Human rights’ organizations lead charge against IHRA definition as Israeli and pro-Israel speakers are harassed on campus. American university programs in and about Israel are protested as ‘dangerous’ to Palestinian students.
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Introduction April saw the BDS movement launch multiple assaults on Israel and its supporters, via ‘human rights’ organizations and the United Nations, students and faculty on campus, and DEI bureaucracies. These many fronts are designed to manufacture a narrative and…

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‘Apartheid Week’ programs promote Israel hatred as BDS supporters claim they are ‘silenced.’ IHRA definition is adopted as BDS advocates complain it “victimizes Palestinian advocacy.”
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Introduction March was characterized by repeated accusations from the BDS movement that it was being ‘silenced.’ These came as campuses were subjected to ‘Israel Apartheid Week’ and an onslaught of anti-Israel programming. The incongruence of these claims point to the…

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BDS inspired antisemitism rouses politicians as new Israeli government irks US administration. IHRA antisemitism definition is attacked as threat to academic freedom and free speech.
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Introduction The calendar year ended with politicians holding conferences and making statements in opposition to antisemitism and BDS. The impact of these actions, however, was undercut by calls to boycott the new Israeli government from officially linked US and European…

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Universities shrug off antisemitic incidents as ‘free speech,’ claim efforts to ‘educate’ BDS supporters. Media downplays ‘Squad’ antisemitism even after progressive Democratic condemnation.
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Introduction The fall semester has begun with university administrations displaying mixed responses to BDS inspired antisemitism. At CUNY the administration appointed a former CAIR lawyer to investigate antisemitic incidents while other university presidents condemned vandalism but defended antisemitic expressions as…

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