SPME BDS Monitor | Articles | - SPME Scholars for Peace in the Middle East

Anti-Zionist Jewish faculty and students take lead as “contentious” IHRA antisemitism definitions defeated in student government votes. Alternate definitions without Israel gain political support as BDS looms over New York City elections.

April 28, 2021

The debates over the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism have reached new heights, with faculty and students claiming the clauses mentioning Israel restrict free speech and the Palestinian right to attack Israel. Alternative definitions have been proposed which…

Cornell West accuses Harvard of denying tenure over BDS support. BDS emerges as political issue in New York City and Virginia as IHRA antisemitism definition and alternatives take center stage.

By: Alex Joffe

March 30, 2021

BDS activities in March reflected both its use as an individual instrument and as a political wedge issue. Cornell West’s allegation that he was denied tenure at Harvard over his support for BDS appears to be an individual effort to…

IHRA definition continues to rile as pushback expands. ‘International Criminal Court’ investigates Israel

By: Alex Joffe

February 25, 2021

BDS in February focused on the IHRA definition of antisemitism and on the ‘International Criminal Court’s decision to investigate Israel for ‘war crimes.’ Growing opposition to the adoption of the IHRA definition has manifest particularly among students and faculty, putting…

Deplatforming sweeps political and cultural scenes. BDS accuses Israel of denying vaccines to Palestinians while IHRA controversy expands.

By: Alex Joffe

January 28, 2021

The protests that wracked Washington at the beginning of January exposed how limits on free speech pioneered by the BDS movement, including deplatforming and cancellation, have spread into the political and cultural spheres. At the same time, the BDS movement’s…

2020 ends with campus pushback against IHRA, uncertainty about Biden policies

By: Alex Joffe

January 4, 2021

The year 2020 ended with BDS pushed back to campus and progressive politics by Trump Administration policies and Middle East normalization agreements. A Biden Administration’s policies and staffing with respect to BDS, antisemitism, and Israel remain uncertain, but far left…

Trump Administration targets BDS movement as Biden faces BDS pressure from the left. More schools adopt IHRA antisemitism definition as University of Illinois promises protection for Jewish and pro-Israel students.

By: Alex Joffe

November 25, 2020

The November election produced a mixed result for the BDS movement. President Trump appears to have been defeated while the ‘Squad’ was strengthened but down ballot progressives were trounced, except in municipal elections. At the same time the Trump Administration…

Stakes are high for BDS as election looms. BDS movement adopts (diversity, equity and inclusion) as ‘woke’ attacks on Jews and Israel expand

By: Alex Joffe

October 28, 2020

With America on the verge of elections the stakes are high for the future of BDS. Even as Israel expands peace agreements with Arab states, anti-normalization led by the BDS movement is spreading to new areas. Empirical reality has become…

BDS cooperation with BLM increases as Israel normalization with Gulf states changes global politics. ‘Anti-racism’ demands and ‘critical race theory’ support BDS and spread antisemitism.

By: Alex Joffe

September 29, 2020

September’s normalization agreements between Israel and two Arab states have dramatically changed the global environment for BDS. With the Palestinian issue receding in importance among once fervent supporters, the BDS movement has responded by increasing its support for BLM and…

BDS caucus members win primaries as UAE-Israel normalization riles the movement. Fall semester promises BDS disruptions on and off campus.

By: Alex Joffe

August 27, 2020

With the fall semester and campuses roiled by coronavirus restrictions and BLM activism, the BDS movement has focused on canceling Jews from student government and expanding the exclusion of Jews from progressive life. August also saw street protests that prominently…

‘Annexation’ protests prompt BDS/BLM harassment of Jewish organizations. BDS reorients towards ‘annexation’ with Congressional support.

By: Alex Joffe

July 29, 2020

The backdrop to BDS activities in July was the burgeoning anarchist and racialist protests across the US, which also featured anti-Israel and antisemitic demonstrations. Just as being pro-peace and pro-Israel were redefined by the BDS movement as ‘right wing,’ patriotism…