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

Education Department adopts new antisemitism definition as BDS accusations rile New York elections. BDS leads purge of Labour pro-Israel MPs. Michigan professor reveals hidden BDS attacks on students

September 26, 2018

The fall semester began with the IHRA definition of antisemitism becoming the focal point of American and British controversies, and conspiratorial accusations of antisemitism crises to attack progressive allegedly engineered by Israel. BDS supporters have begun to eject pro-Israel supporters…

Democrats nominate antisemites as Labour Party antisemitism crisis deepens. New study shows BDS leads to campus antisemitism and ostracism of Jews.

By: Alex Joffe

August 29, 2018

The academic year begins with BDS-linked Labour Party antisemitism crisis deepens as Democrats nominate anti-Israel candidates. The controversy over Labour’s refusal to adopt the full International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism portends similar battles in US academia and politics.…

BDS group undermines Birthright. BDS aims at teens through media and schools. British Labour Party in turmoil over antisemitism definition as Ireland passes ‘settlement’ boycott.

By: Alex Joffe

July 30, 2018

BDS in July accelerated efforts to divide the American Jewish community from Israel and to intensify internal divisions in the latter. Two incidents where Birthright participants walked off their tours in protest over ‘not being told about the occupation’ illustrate…

Israel details BDS connections to terrorism. Soccer match in Israel canceled, Eurovision win spurs boycott calls and confusion. BDS movement plans to infiltrate Jewish camping exposed.

By: Alex Joffe

June 29, 2018

With summer the focus of BDS has become the international arena. Israeli officials revealed that most global BDS organizations have connections to terrorism through individuals linked to groups such as Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.…

Academic year ends with BDS votes, protests, and warnings about rising campus antisemitism. Israel wins Eurovision contests over BDS protests as Gaza conflict attracts ire.

By: Alex Joffe

May 30, 2018

The academic year ended with sudden late pushes for BDS resolutions and associated protests. While there were notable wins for BDS in student government, the larger goal remains shifting campus opinion against Israel and intimidating Israel supporters into silence. These…

Campus BDS scores successes as intersectionality reaches peak with proposed boycotts of pro-Israel Jews. Antinormalization spreads from BDS as more groups refuse dialogue with Jews and Israelis

By: Alex Joffe

May 1, 2018

April was an extremely active month for BDS thanks to the confluence of Passover, ‘Apartheid Week,’ Israel Independence Day, and Israel’s 70th anniversary. Several BDS resolutions were approved in student governments, while others were proposed, many timed to coincide with…

Campus BDS tries new-old tactics as ‘Apartheid week’ arrives. Labour Party and Women’s March face antisemitism scandals linked to Israel and BDS.

By: Alex Joffe

March 29, 2018

March saw a variety of BDS efforts on campus, some timed to coincide with ‘Apartheid Week’ and with the Easter-Passover season. At the same time, BDS-inspired antisemitism crises burst out in several institutions, namely the British Labour Party, the Women’s…

US leads international pushback as Al Jazeera blackmails US Jewish groups over BDS. Disruptions of campus continue as ACLU joins BDS opposing state laws

By: Alex Joffe

February 28, 2018

Disparate BDS events in February suggest that the movement is reorienting to changing political circumstances thanks to unprecedented pushback. This included US pressure that was key to the decision by the Irish parliament to postpone a vote on BDS legislation,…

Israel bans BDS activists. BDS efforts backfire when antisemitism is revealed. Ireland postpones vote on criminalizing import of ‘settlement goods.’

By: Alex Joffe

February 1, 2018

January was shaped by the Israeli decision to ban high profile BDS activists and a series of embarrassing missteps by the BDS movement. With support apparently dropping on campus, the BDS movement’s antisemitic anger is exacerbating its clumsiness and prompting…

US recognition of Jerusalem sparks BDS-led protests and threats of violence. British Labour Party BDS support comes to forefront, splitting Jewish supporters.

By: Alex Joffe

January 3, 2018

The fall semester ended with all eyes on President Trump’s official recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. This move prompted outcries from the BDS movement and usefully exposed its underlying antisemitism. At the same time, the BDS movement expanded efforts…