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Schooling the ASA on Boycotting Israel

(Times of Israel) Nitsana Darshan-Leitner - The American Studies Association's resolution calling for the boycott of Israeli academic institutions violates international, federal and state law in the U.S., leaving the ASA and its membership open to both civil and criminal liability. The law in New York, where so many ASA members reside and work, defines boycotts as "unlawful discriminatory practice," and that any decision to "refuse to buy from, sell to or trade with, or otherwise discriminate against any person, because of...creed...[or] national origin" is unlawful. Even calling for or inciting a boycott against someone because they are Israeli could subject you to criminal prosecution. In addition, the Ribicoff Amendment to the Tax Reform Act of 1976 makes it a federal violation to "participate in or cooperate with an international boycott." To deny someone a voice because of their nationality is discrimination, indeed racism. To target only Israeli professors and colleges without considering the racist hate, violence and anti-Semitic incitement that permeates and infests Palestinian academic institutions displays a political illiteracy that should shame these professors. We will not hesitate in seeking all legal avenues against those who employ discrimination against the Jewish state in this way. The writer, an Israeli civil rights attorney, is the founder of the Shurat HaDin - Israel Law Center.
2013-12-17 00:00:00
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