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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

BDS co-opts Ukraine as condemnation of Amnesty International mounts. Demands for campus boycotts of Jewish groups and Israel programs grow as Middle East Studies Association adopts BDS.
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Introduction With global politics dominated by Russia’s war on Ukraine the BDS movement predictably took advantage to attack Israel. Complaints that the international community has a double standard, sanctioning Russia but not Israel, have meshed with complaints that Israel has…

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MESA’s Israel boycott encapsulates everything wrong with academia
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Members of the Middle East Studies Association have passed a resolution endorsing a comprehensive boycott of Israel. The resolution accuses Israel of a long list of abuses, including restricting freedom of movement for Palestinians; isolating, undermining, or otherwise attacking Palestinian educational institutions;…

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Amnesty International accuses Israel of ‘apartheid’ while the BDS movement targets Israelis on campus. Progressive legislators and groups reject Abraham Accords and split Democrats.
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Introduction BDS in February was shaped by Amnesty International’s report labeling Israel an ‘apartheid state’ and the growing split in the Democratic Party over Israel. With midterm season ongoing and with a large number of Democratic retirements in the House…

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Campus DEI staffers promote anti-Israel bias as Middle East Studies Association support for BDS sets up confrontation with US states. American Muslim representatives condemn American Jews over BDS and Israel as Congress advances “Islamophobia” monitor.
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Introduction The fall semester ended with a new study of social media demonstrating that campus ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ staffers are important promoters of anti-Israel bias. These staffers are part of a pipeline that extends from student governments through higher…

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BDS spreads further in K-12 via ‘ethnic’ studies as progressive group boycotts ‘Zionist’ American Jewish organizations. Pro-Israel singer targeted by BDS bots while Irish author boycotts Israel.
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Introduction With higher education already saturated BDS activity in October remained focused on “ethnic studies” in K-12 education. Approved in California, “ethnic studies” curriculums that emphasize race and which target Jews and Israel, as ‘white’ ‘oppressors’ are now under consideration…

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BDS movement and supporters remain silent on Taliban while ‘Squad’ attempts to cut Iron Dome aid from US budget. ‘Palestine’ given central place in K-12 education, ‘ethnic studies,’ and children’s libraries.
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Introduction The fall semester began with attacks by Progressive Democrats on US aid to Israel. At the same time, attacks on free speech by BDS-related groups were made in the context of 9/11 commemorations. These complemented continuing efforts to reframe…

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