Cultural boycott of Israel grew in 2013

The international cultural boycott of Israel made tremendous gains in 2013, gaining broader acceptance, increasing publicity in the mainstream media, and leading to more open discussion of issues hardline supporters of Israel would prefer to keep in the dark. The developments are part of a growing response to the 2005 call from Palestinian Civil Society for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions in opposition to Israeli policies.

The year ended with major news in the United States, as the American Studies Association voted decisively to support the boycott of Israeli academic institutions. The Association’s vote came after an extensive, week-long period of wide-ranging discussion, in which members discussed Israeli policies before voting, more than 2 to 1, for the boycott. The Association of Asian American Studies had unanimously voted in support of the boycott at their annual meeting in April, 2013.

Read more…