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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

How the Quakers Became Champions of BDS
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In a not-so-earth-shattering move, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) has appointed a Palestinian-American, Joyce Ajlouny, as its new Secretary General. Ajlouny is a native of Ramallah and formerly the head of the Quaker school there, a “passionate” advocate for Palestinians and…

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Campus ‘speech as violence’ claims spreads as state-level anti-BDS laws cause confusion. BDS blames Zionism for Weinstein sex abuse as Center for Jewish History cancels BDS-related talk.
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The campus speech crisis continued in October, with more shout downs of pro-Israel and free speech advocates. The spread of this BDS tactic shows the movement is a leading indicator of intolerance. But like the concept of ‘intersectionality’ and ‘anti-fascist’…

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BDS movement capitalizes on social conflicts to equate Zionism with Nazism and ‘white supremacy’ as new BDS-formed ‘antifa’ movement threatens campus. Democratic progressives oppose anti-BDS bill as threat to free speech while technology companies suppress speech.
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The cooptation of radical trends by the BDS movement continued in August after the violent confrontation between neo-Nazi and ‘antifa’ communist protestors in Charlottesville. With both neo-Nazis and BDS supporters equating Zionism with ‘white supremacy,’ the fall semester seems likely…

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Pushback against BDS gains ground in academia. Focus shifts to politics and culture as UK elections and courts empower anti-Israel forces and Chicago LGBTQ march excludes Jews over Star of David.
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After the school year BDS suffered losses in academic organizations and in colleges, where votes, trustee decisions, and lawsuits have pushed back strongly against discrimination. But on the political scene the situation is more mixed, especially in Britain, where a…

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BDS motions approved by underhanded student governments during Passover. Intersectional promotion of BDS continues as campus violence and anti-free speech protests expand.
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BDS on campus suffered setbacks in April but succeeded when Jews were effectively excluded from debates by the Passover holidays. The passage of BDS resolutions during Passover demonstrates the movement’s underhandedness and antisemitism, while the growing anti-free speech movement threatens…

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Overt antisemitism increases on US campuses as BDS converges with anti-Trump protests. New British antisemitism guidelines shut down ‘apartheid week’ events and local council boycotts.
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February was marked by antisemitic incidents both on and off campuses, originating from both the far right and the BDS supporting far left. Neo-Nazi and Islamist antisemitism was evident and BDS hijacking of other movements continued, but new British antisemitism…

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