In recent years, the academic world has witnessed the rise of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, a campaign that aims to isolate Israel in various spheres, including academia. Initiated in 2005, BDS was founded with the intention of applying economic and political pressure on Israel, but it has since become a tool for anti-Israeli encampments, particularly in the United States and Europe and especially since the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel and the subsequent war with Gaza.
“These movements, which often operate under the guise of human rights advocacy, target Israeli academics and institutions, undermining the universal values that universities are meant to uphold,” said Prof. Moshe Lewenstein BIU’s Deputy President.
“Academic boycotts, which specifically target researchers based on their nationality, are particularly harmful. They not only discriminate against individual scholars but also weaken universities, which are vital sources of liberal thought and innovation,” he said.
Members of the new Bar-Ilan Committee for Dealing with the Academic Boycott with Prof. Shai Davidai from Columbia University on his recent visit to Bar-Ilan. L-R: Dr. Hanan Herzig Sheinfux, Prof. Shai Davidai, Prof. Moshe Lewenstein, and Prof. Pascale Benoliel
By shutting down avenues for academic collaboration, boycotts contribute to the polarization of discourse and the entrenchment of extremist views. In contrast, academic partnerships have the potential to serve as a bridge between nations, fostering dialogue and understanding that can lead to peaceful resolutions of conflicts.
Recognizing the threat posed by these boycotts, Bar-Ilan University has established a dedicated committee to counteract this harmful trend. The new Bar-Ilan Committee for Dealing with the Academic Boycott operates under the guidance of Prof. Lewenstein and BIU’s Rector, Prof. Amnon Albek. Its mission is to gather information, prepare strategic documents, and communicate effectively with universities abroad to ensure that academic freedom and collaboration are preserved.
The committee, chaired by Prof. Shawn-Zelig Aster, includes Prof. Rivka Tuval-Mashiach from the International School, Prof. Ittai Bar-Siman-Tov, Dr. Hanan Herzig Sheinfux, Prof. Pascale Benoliel, and Prof. Emanuele Dalla Torre. Together, they serve as a resource for Bar-Ilan researchers who have experienced boycotts. For instance, a social sciences researcher was asked to step down from organizing an international conference in Holland, a researcher in the exact sciences faced pressure from Belgian colleagues to cancel an active grant, and several Canadian universities sought to terminate student exchange agreements.
In addition to supporting affected researchers, the committee has taken proactive steps to prepare faculty members for encounters with boycott proponents during international conferences. They have developed comprehensive documents, conducted Zoom meetings, coordinated live simulations, and provided professional training in cooperation with the Halev Center of the Faculty of Education to equip faculty with the tools they need to navigate these challenging situations. The committee invites Israeli students and faculty who have been negatively affected by the academic boycott and researchers who would like to offer their support in countering these attempts to contact them at [email protected].
Recently, the committee hosted Prof. Shai Davidai from Columbia University, who shared insights from his ongoing battle for Jewish students’ rights at Columbia. His powerful speech (in Hebrew) can be watched here. Listen to Prof. Davidai’s message to students (in English) on BIU International School’s Instagram page.
The topic of Prof. Shai Davidai’s talk, “Boycotts and Antisemitism in Academia: Where From and Where To?”
“Shai Davidai has become an international symbol and a leader in the fight against antisemitism and anti-Zionism on campuses in the United States. We were honored to have him as a keynote speaker at this event. He lured a crowd of about 200 who didn’t want him to finish. This event underscored the importance of solidarity and the need for continued vigilance in defending academic freedom,” said Prof. Lewenstein.
As Bar-Ilan University continues to stand firm against academic boycotts, it reaffirms its commitment to the core mission of universities worldwide: to serve as universal institutions dedicated to advancing knowledge for the betterment of all humanity.
