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

‘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.

May 1, 2023

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…

‘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.”

By: Alex Joffe

March 31, 2023

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…

BDS-led campus protests call for ‘intifada’ and to hail ‘martyrs’ as Israeli speakers are attacked.

By: Alex Joffe

February 28, 2023

Introduction The BDS movement and its allies in February aligned themselves further with Palestinian rejectionism with rallies calling for ‘intifada’ and hailing Palestinian ‘martyrs.’ These terms mesh the BDS movement’s religious-nationalist agenda and left wing ‘anti-imperialist’ protests over ‘victims of…

Anti-Israel activists demand “academic freedom” for BDS and antisemitism. Proposed Israeli legal reforms prompt internal protests and threats of boycott.

By: Alex Joffe

January 31, 2023

Introduction As 2023 begins several BDS related trends have become clear. On the one hand ‘human rights’ industry leaders and their acolytes in academia and the media who obsess over Israel expect institutions to grant sinecures without question in the…

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.

By: Alex Joffe

January 4, 2023

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…

Antisemitism mainstreams as midterms strengthen the ‘Squad’ and moderates. Reports paint grim picture of campus life as celebrities normalize antisemitism and spur debate.

By: Alex Joffe

November 30, 2022

Introduction With the midterms concluded the outlook for BDS remains mixed. Several BDS supporters were elected to the House of Representatives but the Democratic leadership remains opposed to this form of antisemitism. At the same time, BDS on campus remains…

BDS related antisemitism expands at law schools with law firm support. Antisemitic vandalism on campus spreads as midterms near and celebrity antisemitism erupts.

By: Alex Joffe

October 31, 2022

Introduction October was characterized by a series of campus BDS and antisemitism incidents that showed how deeply anti-Israel bias is embedded in organized student life. The determination of Berkeley Law School students and the Wellesley student newspaper to push anti-Israel…

Universities shrug off antisemitic incidents as ‘free speech,’ claim efforts to ‘educate’ BDS supporters. Media downplays ‘Squad’ antisemitism even after progressive Democratic condemnation.

By: Alex Joffe

September 30, 2022

Introduction The fall semester has begun with university administrations displaying mixed responses to BDS inspired antisemitism. At CUNY the administration appointed a former CAIR lawyer to investigate antisemitic incidents while other university presidents condemned vandalism but defended antisemitic expressions as…

Many BDS supporters defeated in Democratic primaries as ratings agency bias against Israel draws legal scrutiny. Universities and student groups hit with student lawsuits over BDS support and campus antisemitism.

By: Alex Joffe

September 1, 2022

Introduction The brief August flare up between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) produced a predictable but short spate of BDS activity. PIJ’s undeniable responsibility for Palestinian civilian casualties and rapid Israeli messaging campaigns blunted the impact except on hardcore…

Biden pushes back against “apartheid state” description as BDS supporters fall in primaries. British Methodists and US Presbyterians adopt BDS, condemn Israel

By: Alex Joffe

July 29, 2022

Introduction US President Biden’s whirlwind visit to the Middle East produced few tangible gains in terms of restoring Israeli-Palestinian negotiations or promises to increase Saudi oil production. But in an interview Biden, long regarded as a heartfelt supporter of Israel,…