SPME BDS Monitor

Fall semester begins with ersatz intellectual events as Soviet style ‘scientific antizionism’ becomes progressive centerpiece. Pro-BDS “Ethnic Studies” remains issue in California high school and university systems.

Introduction The academic year began with the BDS movement further coopting academic spaces and legitimacy with an ersatz ‘literary festival’ and ‘conferences.’ Deliberately blurring the line between scholarship and advocacy has long been a BDS strategy to gain legitimacy and…

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Opposition to IHRA takes new forms with an ‘institute’ and ‘conferences.’ Electoral campaigns heat up as pro-BDS representatives condemn Israel and AIPAC.

Introduction As the school year approaches pro-BDS faculty and far left foundations opposed to the IHRA definition of antisemitism have organized an ersatz ‘institute’ and multiple conferences to denounce this widely accepted standard. Coupled with academic boycotts adopted by anthropology…

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US antisemitism strategy helps opponents target IHRA definition as UN takes aim at Israel and its supporters. Commencement speakers attacking Israel provoke controversy as US resumes exclusion of Israeli institutions in the ‘West Bank’ from research funding.

Introduction The Biden Administration’s new US antisemitism strategy has helped a growing effort to undermine the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, including from the United Nations and the US Congress. The strategy’s positive citation of the rival Nexus definition,…

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IHRA definition controversy peaks with national antisemitism strategy and dueling BDS related legislation. ‘Nakba Day’ sees the ‘Squad’ promoting BDS on Capitol Hill as BDS leader impersonates progressive Jew on Twitter.

Introduction May saw the culmination of debate over the IHRA antisemitism definition. Left wing groups demanded its exclusion from the Biden administration’s national antisemitism policy while center and right groups demanded its inclusion. The debate, which has stretched from campuses…

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‘Human rights’ organizations lead charge against IHRA definition as Israeli and pro-Israel speakers are harassed on campus. American university programs in and about Israel are protested as ‘dangerous’ to Palestinian students.

Introduction April saw the BDS movement launch multiple assaults on Israel and its supporters, via ‘human rights’ organizations and the United Nations, students and faculty on campus, and DEI bureaucracies. These many fronts are designed to manufacture a narrative and…

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‘Apartheid Week’ programs promote Israel hatred as BDS supporters claim they are ‘silenced.’ IHRA definition is adopted as BDS advocates complain it “victimizes Palestinian advocacy.”

Introduction March was characterized by repeated accusations from the BDS movement that it was being ‘silenced.’ These came as campuses were subjected to ‘Israel Apartheid Week’ and an onslaught of anti-Israel programming. The incongruence of these claims point to the…

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BDS inspired antisemitism rouses politicians as new Israeli government irks US administration. IHRA antisemitism definition is attacked as threat to academic freedom and free speech.

Introduction The calendar year ended with politicians holding conferences and making statements in opposition to antisemitism and BDS. The impact of these actions, however, was undercut by calls to boycott the new Israeli government from officially linked US and European…

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