Frequently Asked Questions about the BDS Resolution
An FAQ with answers to some frequently asked questions about the BDS resolution.
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Middle East Scholars Announce 2022 Academic Freedom Award Recipients
The 2022 MESA Academic Freedom Award has been given to 6 Palestinian NGOs — Addameer, Al-Haq, Bisan Center for Research and Development, Defense for Children International - Palestine, Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, and the Union of Agricultural Work Committees — for their decades-long pursuit of academic freedom, courageous resilience, and contributions to the field of Middle East Studies.
Letter to protest aggressions of Palestinian students at Israeli universities
Letter to protest the recent spate of aggressions of Palestinian students at Israeli universities, that have included incitement, intimidation and detention. We condemn, as well, the apparent collusion between Israeli security forces and right-wing nationalists in the harassment of Palestinian students.
Letter protesting new Israel Government directive regarding selection of international scholars and students to teach and study in Palestinian Universities
Letter to Israeli authorities protesting the Government’s proposed policy regarding the selection of international scholars and students to teach and study in Palestinian universities, giving the Israeli military the unilateral power to select and exclude scholars and students and limiting their numbers significantly, while censoring certain disciplines and foci of research. If implemented, the policy would undermine Palestinian universities' ability to recruit appropriate faculty and curtail Palestinians' academic freedom.
Middle East Scholars Vote to Endorse BDS
The membership of MESA has voted in favor of a resolution endorsing the Palestinian call for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions of Israel as a way to hold the government accountable for ongoing human rights violations. MESA’s Board of Directors will implement it in a manner consistent with MESA’s bylaws as well as relevant U.S. federal, state, and local laws. The resolution states that the boycott will not target individual students or scholars, and reiterates the right of individual MESA members to choose whether or not they wish to participate in an academic boycott of Israeli institutions.
Response by Israeli Ministry of Justice to February 8 Letter
The Israeli Ministry of Justice Public Inquiries Unit responds to February 8, 2022 CAF letter regarding Mr. Ismail Barghouthi and Mr. Mohammed Khatib.
Letter protesting invasion of Birzeit University and assault on students
Letter to the Israeli government in protest of the latest invasion of Birzeit University, on 10 January 2022, and the assault and arrest of several Birzeit University students.
Letter protesting latest attacks on Palestinian universities and civil society organizations
Letter to the Israeli government protesting the ongoing and intensified attacks on Palestinian universities and civil society organizations. We highlight, in particular, the pre-dawn invasion of Birzeit University by Israeli soldiers on 14 December 2021 and the designation, on 22 October, of six Palestinian civil society organizations as "terrorist."
MESA Members Vote to Advance BDS Resolution to Full Membership Vote in Early 2022
MESA members vote to put BDS resolution to a referendum by the full membership in early 2022, endorsing Palestinian civil society’s call for solidarity in support of human rights, including the right to education and academic freedom.
Letter Protesting Israeli Army Arrest of 45 Palestinian University Students, and Ongoing Detention of 15 after a Solidarity Visit to a Demolished Home in Turmus ‘Aya
Please see our letter to Israeli officials protesting the Israeli army arrest of 45 Palestinian university students, and ongoing detention of 15 after a solidarity visit to a demolished home in Turmus 'Aya.
Letter Protesting the Killing of Fadi Washaha and Ongoing Targeting of Palestinian Students
MESA CAF protests the brutal murder of BZU student Fadi Washaha and the ongoing targeting of students, faculty, and employees at Palestinian universities as part of a larger campaign against higher education under Israeli occupation.
Letter protesting ongoing policy of arrests and detention of students in Palestinian universities
Letter to Israeli officials protesting the Israeli army and judiciary’s targeting of students at Palestinian universities in the West Bank.
Letter regarding ongoing denial of Palestinians in Gaza right to study abroad
Letter to Israeli authorities condemning ongoing prevention of Palestinian students in Gaza from studying abroad through denial of exit visas and travel permits.
Protesting the Administrative Detention of Imad Barghouthi of al-Quds University
Letter to Israeli authorities protesting the continued detention of Imad Barghouthi, Professor of Theoretical Space Plasma Physics at Al-Quds University, and the order to place him under administrative detention.
Ongoing harassment of cultural and educational workers in occupied East Jerusalem
Letter to Israeli authorities condemning the detention and conditional release of Rania Elias, Suhail Khoury, and Daoud Al-Ghoul, directors of cultural institutions in occupied East Jerusalem, and the infringements on educational and cultural rights of Palestinian residents of occupied East Jerusalem.
Recent arrest and detention of Imad Barghouti of Al-Quds University
Letter to Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu about the most recent arrest and administrative detention of Dr. Imad Barghouti of Al-Quds University without charge or trial.
Persistent targeting of Palestinian students through arbitrary arrests and detentions, often without trial
Letter to the Government of Israel protesting the ongoing obstruction of Palestinian higher education through the persistent targeting and detention of Palestinian students and the most recent spate of arbitrary arrests.
Protesting the recent sentencing of Palestinian student Mais Abu Gush
Letter to Israeli authorities regarding the recent sentencing and continued imprisonment of Mais Abu Gush, a Birzeit University student who has been detained since August 2019.
CAF response to Hebrew University letter regarding Issawiyah neighborhood
A follow-up letter to the administration of Hebrew University with a call for the University to declare its solidarity with Issawiyah and to act immediately to demilitarize the campus.
Oppression of Issawiya neighborhood
Letter to Hebrew University condemning its complicity in Jerusalem police harassment of al-Issawiya neighborhood.
Detention of Director of the Bisan Center for Research and Development, Ubai Aboudi
Letter to Israeli officials condemning the detention of Ubai Aboudi, a Palestinian-American scholar and Director of the Bisan Center for Research and Development, and calling for a halt to arbitrary raids of Palestinian civil and human rights organizations and abductions of their leaders.
Recent Israeli Arrests of Palestinian Students and Professor
Letter to Israeli authorities protesting the arrests of Palestinian students and professors and demanding their immediate and unconditional release.
Press Release on foreign academics working restrictions in Palestine
MESA and other scholarly organizations have written to Israeli authorities regarding procedures for visas and work permits for international academics working in Palestine.
Limitations and restrictions to foreign nationals teaching at Palestinian universities
Letter demanding Israel lift the restrictions preventing international academics from staying and working in the West Bank, refrain from imposing arbitrary restrictions on the duration of stay or extension of stay for international academics, and order the publication of a clear and lawful procedure for issuing entry visas and work permits for international academics in the West Bank, to enable the university to manage and maintain its academic freedom.
Israel’s Ruling on Deportation of Omar Shakir
Letter to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Supreme Court Justices and Registrars, Ministers Shaked and Deri expressing grave concerns regarding the Jerusalem District Court’s decision to uphold the deportation of Mr. Omar Shakir on the basis of his human rights advocacy. CAF calls on the Israeli Supreme Court to reverse the district court’s decision. CAF also calls on the Interior Ministry to cease deporting or barring people from entry on the basis of their political views.