Dear Colleagues,
The listserver moderators have decided not to allow further postings on the academic boycott issue. Unfortunately, some of the postings have become vitriolic and lacking in collegiality. We do not think that much new has been added to the discussion in recent days.
I wish you all the best for 2014.
Sincerely
Robert Wood.
I would note the odd turns phrase assuaging the typical UW censorship of ideas. There is nothing “academic” about the ASA’s boycott of Israel. They are acting as a political organization NOT an an academic one.
As for vitriol … Robert needs to read up on that word.
There were strong comments, but these existed when the thread started. The American Studied Association used words like racists to justify their boycott. In their minds, anyone who is Arab and living in Israel is a “Palestinian” and Israel discriminates against Palestinians as a race. Such charges against Jews are familiar for anyone who reads the press of Iran, al Qaeda, Hamas, or the Wahabi extremists across the Arab world. They are especially evil directed at Jews and against a country where Arabs, whether they call themselves Palestinians or Israelis, have the full freedoms we expect here for all Americans.
There are problems in Israel and worse problems on the West Bank and Gaza, but calling Israel a racist state is a terrible step backwards if the ASA wants to encourage peace.
Likening those who endorse this sort of rhetoric for that rhetoric is not vitriol, is simple truth.