Scholars for Peace in the Middle East, The Academic Council for Israel, The American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise, Stand With Us and the Louis D. Brandeis Center issued a statement in advance of the shocking vote to expected to pass, to boycott Israeli academy by members of the American Anthropological Association gathered for its annual meeting in Denver, Colo.
The coalition of organizations represents more than 100,000 students, scientists, engineers, medical and business and computer science professors, librarians, social scientists, historians, political scientists, librarians, administrative leaders, and others. The coalition opposes the efforts of AAA members who are expected to vote in favor of a boycott of Israel today, Nov. 20th, during the business meeting scheduled for Friday, November 20th, from 6:15-7:30pm in the Mile High Ballroom 2 & 3.
The members of our respective organizations submit the following statement on the issue of academic boycotts of Israel.
Understanding that academic, cultural, and commercial boycotts, divestments, and sanctions of Israel:
- Are counterproductive to the goal of peace,
- Represent an anti-democratic process intent on undermining the Jewish people’s
right to self-determination in their homeland, Israel, - BDS seeks to commandeer our educational system and professional societies for political
ends that constitute a travesty of professional ethics and conduct, and - Antithetical to basic human freedoms including academic freedom.
We stand united in our condemnation of calls and campaigns for boycotting, divestment from, and sanctions against Israeli academic institutions, professors, products, and companies that do business in or with Israel.
We recognize that individuals and groups may have legitimate criticism of Israeli policies. Criticism becomes antisemitism, however, when it demonizes Israel, applies double standards to Israel, denies Israel the right to defend its citizens, or questions Israel’s right to exist.
The BDS misrepresentation of the conflict between Israel and Palestinians is one-sided and untruthful, and therefore unworthy of the academic community. Moreover, by pursuing delegitimization campaigns on campus and in academic professional organizations, anti-Israel proponents provoke deep divisions among students and have created an atmosphere of intolerance and hatred.
BDS resolutions will not contribute to peace or justice. Political wisdom and moral good will require that they be resoundingly rejected.
THEREFORE WE OPPOSE ANY AND ALL BDS RESOLUTIONS AND CAMPAIGNS.
