The Middle East Studies Association said Wednesday that its members voted 768 to 167 to join the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel, “as a way to hold the government accountable for ongoing human rights violations.” The online vote began in January and ended this week. MESA’s Board of Directors will now work with the group’s Committee on Academic Freedom
Members of Middle East Studies Association sign off on a resolution 'endorsing the Palestinian call for solidarity in the form of boycotts, divestment and sanctions'
“The endorsement will inevitably and inequitably discriminate against, exclude and isolate Israeli scholars by singling out the Israeli academy for boycott. The resolution’s assertion that the boycott ‘will not target individual students or scholars’ is untenable,” said Academic Engagement Network.
The prominent academic organization pledges to 'ensure that the call for an academic boycott is upheld without undermining our commitment to the free exchange of ideas and scholarship' after resolution passes to endorse BDS