Campus Climate Resources
MESA has created a new Campus Climate resource page for our members in response to academic freedom-related developments on campuses across North America and beyond.
Pinned Story
- Press Releases
- Palestine/Israel
Letter opposing a bill proposed by National Union of Israeli Students
Letter protesting a bill proposed by the National Union of Israeli Students that stipulates that academic institutions in Israel are obliged to terminate faculty, lecturers and researchers who express criticism of Israel government policies and practices. The letter condemns, as well, a billboard smear campaign conducted to promote the proposed bill.
Letter protesting the arrest and continued questioning of Professor Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian
Our letter to the leadership of Hebrew University of Jerusalem and co-signed with the Association for Middle East Women's Studies vehemently protesting the persecution of Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, and specifically, her recent arrest and the investigations into her opinions and academic work.
Prof. Imad Barghouti has been released
CAF welcomes the recent news that Israel has released Palestinian astrophysicist Imad Barghouti.
Letter to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem protesting suspension of faculty member Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian
Our letter to the leadership of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem objecting to the recent suspension from teaching of an esteemed faculty member, Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, for her comments and reflections prompted by Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza.
Letter addressing ongoing violations of academic freedom in occupied Palestinian Territories
Our letter to United States government and UN offices protesting the ongoing violations of academic freedom of Palestinians by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank.
Response from Technion Student Association to 23 January letter
The Committee on Academic Freedom received a response to our 23 January letter condemning the ongoing repressive measures against Palestinian citizens of Israel who are students in Israeli universities.
Letter condemning the devastating military campaign in Gaza
Our letter to Israeli government authorities regarding the ongoing military campaign against the Palestinians of Gaza, including the decimation of the education sector and the wanton killing of thousands of students, teachers and professors
Letter condemning punitive measures against Palestinian students in Israeli Universities
Our letter to Israeli government authorities and university rectors condemning the ongoing repressive measures against Palestinian citizens of Israel who are students in Israeli universities and have expressed their solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza and/or their criticism of the Israel government's military onslaught in Gaza.
Letter regarding intensified targeting of Palestinian students in Israeli universities
Our letter to Israeli government authorities expressing concern about the mounting threats to and repressive measures against Palestinian students in Israeli universities since the Hamas attack of 7 October
Letter protesting intensification of arrests of students at Birzeit University
Our letter to Israeli government authorities protesting the ongoing targeting and intensification of arrests of Palestinian students at universities in the occupied West Bank, with a focus on Birzeit University
Letter Demanding an end to Israel’s military assault on Gaza’s educational sector
Our letter condemning and demanding an end to the ongoing military assaults against the Palestinians of Gaza and Gaza’s educational infrastructure.
Letter to protest termination of employment of Dr. Uri Horesh
Our letter to the administration of Achva Academic College protesting their termination of the employment of senior lecturer, Dr. Uri Horesh, because of his social media posts in which he expressed views about the current war on Gaza, and the defamation of his name via untrue allegations.
Letter to Hebrew University in defense of Prof. Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian
Our letter in defense of Prof. Shalhoub-Kevorkian against calls from Hebrew University for her to resign for signing a petition calling for a ceasefire in Gaza
Letter protesting arrests at Birzeit University last month
Letter to Israel government authorities to protest the arrests of 8 students at Birzeit University on 24 September 2023.
Letter protesting detention of Khaled El-Qaisi
Our letter to Israeli authorities calling for the immediate release from detention of Khaled El-Qaisi, a Palestinian-Italian student
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about the BDS Resolution
An FAQ with answers to some frequently asked questions about the BDS resolution.
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.