SPME BDS Monitor | Articles | - Page 2 of 13 - SPME Scholars for Peace in the Middle East

BDS map of Boston Jewish institutions raises fears and draws condemnations. ‘Environmental, Social, and Governance’ ratings targeting Israel are criticized.

June 30, 2022

Introduction The ‘Mapping Project’ of Boston area Jewish organizations including schools, youth groups, and philanthropic organizations, as well as entities such as corporations, is a new escalation by the BDS movement. With an all-encompassing and conspiratorial concept of entities tainted…

BDS gains on campus as semester ends but is pushed back in primaries. ADL head states “antizionism is antisemitism.”

By: Alex Joffe

May 27, 2022

Introduction The end of the academic year shows BDS on campus having made further gains in colonizing student media and student government. The significance of BDS resolutions and editorials remains not in forcing universities to boycott or divest from Israel…

BDS protests to ‘defend Al Aqsa’ and ‘globalize the intifada’ erupt. Student media censor pro-Israel and anti-BDS viewpoints.

By: Alex Joffe

April 29, 2022

Introduction The spring semester approaches its end with a variety of BDS activities on campus. In the US several student governments have passed BDS resolutions and protested pro-Israel and pro-IHRA speakers. In the UK, the National Union of Students has…

BDS co-opts Ukraine as condemnation of Amnesty International mounts. Demands for campus boycotts of Jewish groups and Israel programs grow as Middle East Studies Association adopts BDS.

By: Alex Joffe

March 31, 2022

Introduction With global politics dominated by Russia’s war on Ukraine the BDS movement predictably took advantage to attack Israel. Complaints that the international community has a double standard, sanctioning Russia but not Israel, have meshed with complaints that Israel has…

Amnesty International accuses Israel of ‘apartheid’ while the BDS movement targets Israelis on campus. Progressive legislators and groups reject Abraham Accords and split Democrats.

By: Alex Joffe

February 28, 2022

Introduction BDS in February was shaped by Amnesty International’s report labeling Israel an ‘apartheid state’ and the growing split in the Democratic Party over Israel. With midterm season ongoing and with a large number of Democratic retirements in the House…

Synagogue hostage crisis highlights BDS support for convicted terrorist. Universities announce plans to fight campus antisemitism as pushback against IHRA expands.

By: Alex Joffe

January 30, 2022

Introduction With universities slow to reopen due to COVID the focus on BDS activity in January was suddenly shifted to the Texas synagogue hostage crisis. Calls from Muslim organizations to free convicted terrorist Aafia Siddiqui, including those supporting BDS, was…

Campus DEI staffers promote anti-Israel bias as Middle East Studies Association support for BDS sets up confrontation with US states. American Muslim representatives condemn American Jews over BDS and Israel as Congress advances “Islamophobia” monitor.

By: Alex Joffe

December 30, 2021

Introduction The fall semester ended with a new study of social media demonstrating that campus ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ staffers are important promoters of anti-Israel bias. These staffers are part of a pipeline that extends from student governments through higher…

Campus BDS rises as antisemitic vandalism increases. BDS supporters in media shape antisemitism environment as ‘no two sides’ rhetoric gains force.

By: Alex Joffe

December 1, 2021

Introduction BDS activities in November were marked by increased anti-Israel agitation on campus and harassment of Israeli diplomats and Jews. The rhetoric of ‘no two sides’ that completely excludes any pro-Israel viewpoints is gaining strength, especially on campus. Another notable…

BDS spreads further in K-12 via ‘ethnic’ studies as progressive group boycotts ‘Zionist’ American Jewish organizations. Pro-Israel singer targeted by BDS bots while Irish author boycotts Israel.

By: Alex Joffe

October 27, 2021

Introduction With higher education already saturated BDS activity in October remained focused on “ethnic studies” in K-12 education. Approved in California, “ethnic studies” curriculums that emphasize race and which target Jews and Israel, as ‘white’ ‘oppressors’ are now under consideration…

BDS movement and supporters remain silent on Taliban while ‘Squad’ attempts to cut Iron Dome aid from US budget. ‘Palestine’ given central place in K-12 education, ‘ethnic studies,’ and children’s libraries.

By: Alex Joffe

September 30, 2021

Introduction The fall semester began with attacks by Progressive Democrats on US aid to Israel. At the same time, attacks on free speech by BDS-related groups were made in the context of 9/11 commemorations. These complemented continuing efforts to reframe…