22 No. 74 JUSTICE n the aftermath of the war in Gaza, there has been a noticeable increase in calls to sever academic ties with Israeli scholars and universities. While data on the actual impact of these calls is inconsistent, the trend is troubling and demands close attention. Given that many aspects of the boycott are both morally unjust and legally impermissible, the prevailing approach of addressing it often emphasizes a combination of legal action and heightened efforts in hasbara – explaining why the boycott is wrong and counterproductive. This response is valid and I count myself among those who have actively engaged in such efforts since October 7, 2023. However, I would like to propose an additional path. The calls for a boycott should also serve as a wake-up call for Israeli academia regarding our responsibility to actively engage in the domestic public discourse. A successful academic boycott would have immediate negative effects: Israeli academia – ranked among the top five globally in per capita terms and within the top fifteen in absolute terms – would suffer. Many Israeli scholars would seek opportunities abroad, leading to brain drain and a decline in academic quality. Proponents of such boycotts may view this outcome as desirable. However, history suggests the result is more likely to resemble the further radicalization and militarization seen in states like North Korea and Iran, rather than the transformation associated with the boycott of apartheidera South Africa. 1. The Scope and Impact of the Academic Boycott on Israeli Academia The current scope of the academic boycott is contested. The BDS movement, active for approximately two decades, has largely failed in its efforts to persuade scholars and institutions to sever ties with Israelis and Israeli academic institutions. BDS supporters generally oppose the very existence of the State of Israel, irrespective of its policies or actions, and they remain relatively limited in number. However, over the past year and a half, there has been a notable surge in boycott activity, largely in response to what many perceive as a disproportionate Israeli military campaign following the horrific Hamas terror attack on October 7, 2023. This increase is also driven by ongoing legal proceedings against the State of Israel and its leaders in international tribunals, accusing them of war crimes. This recent wave of boycotts reflects a shift in sentiment among a relatively large number of faculty, students, and some academic institutions, who are increasingly critical of the Israeli government’s policies. For many members of the global academic community, interaction with Israelis primarily occurs through academic channels. A growing number now choose to express their disapproval by cutting ties with Israeli students, faculty, and institutions. In addition to ideologically motivated boycotts, often based on partial or biased information, many other instances arise from pressure exerted by vocal, and at times aggressive, BDS activists. These activists often intimidate university administrations, leading them to comply with boycott demands. The current surge in academic boycotts is evident not only in the increasing number of individuals participating, but also in a shift toward institutional decisions. Whereas boycotts in the past were typically individual, informal, and often unannounced, today they include formal institutional measures. These commonly target studentexchange programs (for example, decisions made by the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities1 and Ghent University2). Even more radically, some institutions now prohibit their faculty from collaborating with Israeli scholars, inviting them to conferences, or submitting joint research proposals. This policy is sometimes enforced Addressing the Academic Boycott as a Wakeup Call for Israeli Academia Barak Medina 1. “CRUE statement on the situation in the Gaza Strip,” CRUE (May 9, 2024), available at https://www.crue. org/en/2024/05/crue-statement-on-the-violent-situationin-gaza/ 2. “Cooperation with Israeli partners - update 31 May 2024,” GHENT UNIVERSITY (May 31, 2024), available at https:// www.ugent.be/en/news-events/cooperation-with-israelipartners-update-31-may-2024 I
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