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Alex Joffe

Helena Ivanov

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: Helena Ivanov

Pro-Hamas protestors riot in US cities as universities walk back divestment promises. Anti-Israel politicians suffer setbacks in primaries while staffers push pro-Hamas policies.

Introduction. With the academic year concluded the focus of anti-Israel activity has shifted to street protests against individuals and institutions deemed ‘Zionist.’ There is no longer a clear distinction made between ‘Zionist’ and ‘Jew,’ with the former term thrown at anyone…

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Anti-Israel protestors create campus havoc as protests aim for maximum public disruption. University concessions to protestors lead to exclusions and physical assaults against Jewish students

Introduction As the semester ends many leading universities were overrun by anti-Israel protestors who have dominated campuses since October 7. Encampments and occupations of buildings spread to many campuses, resulting in arrests of both students and faculty and the paralysis…

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Student radicalism increases as protests calling to destroy Israel multiply. Governmental threats expand as the US sanctions ‘settlers’ while Muslim groups pressure national leaders to abandon Israel.

Introduction Due to the ongoing war in Gaza the BDS movement’s targeted opposition to Israel has expanded into massive street protests, threats against politicians, and security crises for Western Jews. Increasingly individual politicians and Jews are being targeted as stand-ins…

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