Congress Condemns Academic Boycott of Israel

By JTA June 17, 2015

The U.S. House of Representatives introduced a resolution condemning academic boycotts against Israeli scholars and institutions on American campuses.

The resolution, introduced Tuesday by Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.), condemns any restrictions on interaction between American and Israeli academic institutions as part of the Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

“Efforts to uniquely isolate Israeli institutions and scholars undermine academic freedom and, moreover, does not advance the cause of peace,” Richard Foltin, the American Jewish Committee’s director of national and legislative affairs, said in a statement praising the resolution.

The resolution also praises Israel’s role in many fields, urging American universities to “enhance and accelerate their engagement in academic exchanges with counterpart Israeli institutions.”

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