Frequently Asked Questions about the BDS Resolution
An FAQ with answers to some frequently asked questions about the BDS resolution.
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- Memos
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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.
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Letter to the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights urging it not to use the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism and its examples to formulate antidiscrimination regulations
Letter to the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights urging it not to use the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism and its examples to formulate antidiscrimination regulations
Letter to the president of John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) protesting the cancellation of the Palestine Lives Conference
Letter to the president of John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) protesting the cancellation of the Palestine Lives Conference.
Letter to the President of the University of Washington
Letter to the President of the University of Washington protesting the treatment of Professor Liora Halperin.
Letter protesting provisions of HB 281
Letter to Arizona legislators protesting provisions of HB 281.
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 to the president of Middlebury College
Letter to the president of Middlebury College to express concern about Middlebury College’s response to a recent incident of harassment involving students advocating on campus for Palestinian rights.
Censorship Online: Academic Freedom and Digital Platforms
MESA has noted with growing concern the arbitrary censorship of academic events in North America on a variety of online platforms, and is collecting primary source documents and links to media reporting on related topics.
Response from Cornell University to November 6 Letter
Cornell University Vice President for University Relations Joel Malina responds on behalf of President Pollack and Dean Yoon to November 6, 2020 CAF letter regarding the treatment of Professor Ariella Azoulay during and after an online lecture.
Letter to Cornell regarding Ariella Azoulay lecture disruption
Letter to president and dean at Cornell University protesting treatment of Professor Ariella Azoulay during and after an online lecture.
Statement on DHS Proposed Rule Imposing New Limits on Student Visa Duration
The MESA Task Force on Civil and Human Rights calls on DHS to withdraw a proposed rule that would effectively deprive international students of lawful status for the duration required for many degree programs, restricting students from much of the developing world to two-year visas insufficient even for undergraduate study. The administration's proposed regulation would effectively mean that the United States no longer welcomes international students. If this rule were to go into effect, students from much of the world would face severe disincentives in considering degree programs in the U.S. Such actions would inflict broad harm on the intellectual life and economic viability of American universities, future generations of students, and the sectors of the economy that require highly qualified researchers and professionals.
Memo on the Circumstances of the Arrest and Detention of Iranian Materials Scientist Dr. Sirous Asgari
The Middle East Studies Association Task Force on Civil and Human Rights and the Committee on Academic Freedom join together in expressing our shock and outrage at reports concerning the arrest and detention of Iranian materials scientist Dr. Sirous Asgari.
Response from USC President to August 17 Letter
University of Southern California President Carol L. Folt responds to August 17 CAF letter regarding her recent message conflating anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism.
Letter to USC President Regarding Recent Message Conflating Anti-Zionism and Anti-Semitism
Letter to the President of USC criticizing her recent message conflating anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism.
Response from UW Chancellor Office to June 3 Letter
University of Wisconsin-Madison Assistant Vice Chancellor responds to June 3 CAF letter about Horowitz Center attack on Samer Alatout.
Letter to the University of Wisconsin protesting the Horowitz Center’s attack on Professor Samer Alatout
Letter to the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison protesting the David Horowitz Freedom Center's Scurrilous Attack on Professor Samer Alatout.
Letter to Duke University criticizing the questioning of a student because of her social media posts
Letter to the vice provost/vice president of Duke University criticizing the summoning of a student for questioning over her social media posts.
Disciplinary action against striking international graduate students at UCSC
Letter to the president and executive vice chancellor of UCSC protesting disciplinary action against striking international graduate students.
Protesting Dr. Eyal Weizman’s denial of entry to the US
Letter to U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo regarding the U.S. government’s decision to bar prominent British-Israeli architect Dr. Eyal Weizman from entering the United States. Dr. Weizman had been invited by Miami Dade College’s Museum of Art and Design (MOAD) for the opening of Forensic Architecture’s first major exhibition.
Response from Pitzer President to February 20 letter
Pitzer College President Melvin Oliver responds to February 20 CAF letter regarding allegations of anti-Semitism.
Allegations of anti-Semitism at Pitzer and Pomona colleges
Letter to the presidents of Pitzer and Pomona colleges regarding allegations by the David Horowitz Freedom Center.
DoE investigation of UCLA for alleged discrimination against Jewish students
Letter to the Chancellor of UCLA on the Department of Education's Investigation.
TFCHR announces a study of visa and denial of entry issues
MESA's Task Force on Civil and Human Rights notes with concern the increasing denial of entry to students, particularly from Iran, with valid visas, as well as reports of deportations and interrogations. MESA has initiated a study of the issues of visa cancelation, border denials, and deportations of students and faculty from the Middle East and North Africa. We are seeking information to better document the challenges faced by those seeking to travel from the MENA region to the US for academic purposes. Please contact visaRA@mesana.org if you would like to provide information regarding these issues.
DoE investigation of NYU for alleged discrimination against Jewish students
Letter to the president of NYU regarding the Department of Education's investigation of alleged discrimination against Jewish students