While colleges and universities frequently depict themselves as centers of vibrant question and debate, they are frequently of remarkably orthodox political opinions, as is demonstrated by a recent academic boycott. Calling the current Israeli military action in Gaza a “humanitarian catastrophe,” some 68 professors and librarians from more than 40 different American colleges and universities were original signatories of a letter pledging to boycott Israeli academic institutions, conferences and events. The letter was submitted to Jadaliyya, an ezine published by the Arab Studies Institute.
In the letter, these scholars of the Middle East speak out about the “humanitarian catastrophe” caused by current Israeli military action against Gaza, accusing Israel of violations of international law and of “maintaining an illegal siege” in the Gaza Strip.
Bemoaning the connection between the Israeli military and Israeli academics, the signatories “called on [their] colleagues in Middle East Studies to boycott Israeli academic institutions, and [pledged] not to collaborate on projects and events involving Israeli academic institutions, not to teach at or to attend conferences and other events at such institutions, and not to publish in academic journals based in Israel” until certain stipulations had been met.
An additional 37 scholars from schools outside the United States also signed the letter. Since its initial publication, the letter has been signed by a total of 307 individuals, of whom more than 90 can be broadly considered “scholars” at American universities. They include Ph.D. candidates, professors of theater, and others.
It isn’t clear what the academics hope their boycott will accomplish, besides serving as further demonstration of the remarkable anti-Israel orthodoxy of American higher education.
