May saw the deployment of new campus BDS techniques, which were temporarily thwarted by rapid responses by community and university leaders. These pushed BDS closer toward lawfare –legal and administrative means to attack Israel and its supporters. They also indicate…
read moreApril saw the focus of BDS activities pivot back to academia. It is no coincidence that Passover and Easter were celebrated in April; indeed, the timing of BDS resolutions in student government settings has long centered around holidays when attention,…
read moreIntroduction One of the defining characteristics about BDS is that it attacks Israel across a broad spectrum of economic, political, and cultural life. With small numbers of dedicated activists in many spheres, the movement makes itself appear larger than it…
read moreIntroduction The modern boycott, divestment and sanctions movement originated with 2001 United Nations World Conference Against Racism, known as Durban II. The “Durban Strategy” of isolating and vilifying Israel has propagated through non-governmental organizations, academia and media. But economic boycotts…
read moreIntroduction January was an important month for BDS. In the academic sphere, the American Studies Association boycott resolution was followed by a pseudo-debate at the Modern Language Association. Both of these developments produced uniquely high press coverage and political backlash,…
read moreIntroduction A variety of BDS activities took place during December but were overshadowed by the American Studies Association’s (ASA) adoption of a BDS resolution. Though the ASA is a minor academic organization, this BDS move has attracted widespread attention and…
read moreIntroduction BDS activities continued throughout November. Of particular note were developments in the political relationship between Israel and the European Union and an important series of incidents in academia. Analysis The latest reports indicate that negotiations regarding Israeli participation in…
read moreAnalysis October saw BDS activities in full swing across the entire spectrum of economic, religious, political, academic and cultural affairs. Only in academia and the Protestant church can BDS groups claim a measure of success. In the political sphere…
read moreIntroduction A potentially important BDS development this month is the appearance of an issue of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Journal of Academic Freedom dedicated to boycott of Israel. This report presents background and analysis regarding this development.…
read moreBDS and Israel generally were overshadowed in September by the rapidly changing Syrian problem. A number of incidents demonstrate how Israel remains the primary focus for BDS activists and selected politicians even as a weapons of mass destruction tragedy unfolds.…
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