Entire University of California system condemns academic boycotts of Israel

AMCHA led a group of over 100 organizations asking the University of California to denounce academic boycotts of Israel, especially in light of recent news of professors refusing to sign recommendation letters to students who want to study in Israel.

Some of the UC campuses are known for extreme anti-Israel activity, so this is a major blow to the Israel-haters who insist that the world (except for Palestinians themselves!) adhere to an academic boycott of Israel.

The UC letter states:

As chancellors of the University of California campuses, we write to reaffirm our long- standing opposition to an academic boycott of Israeli academic institutions and/or individual scholars. Our commitment to continued engagement and partnership with Israeli, as well as Palestinian colleagues, colleges, and universities is unwavering. We believe a boycott of this sort poses a direct and serious threat to the academic freedom of our students and faculty, as well as the unfettered exchange of ideas and perspectives on our campuses, including debate and discourse regarding conflicts in the Middle East.

This letter condemning the boycott was signed by all 10 chancellors of UC campuses.

AMCHA is following up with asking other university chancellors to sign similar letters against any academic boycott of Israel.

This is a major victory against BDS.

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