Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on February 2, 2022

Opinion: If an academic group boycotts Israel, it could lead to increased antisemitism on campus. It's good to see that University of Arizona won't stand for that.

Alma Hernandez| opinion contributor

The University of Arizonas Center for Middle Eastern Studies demonstrated real leadershipinprotecting its Jewish community and supporting free academic exchange by ending its membership in the problematic, Tucson-basedMiddle EastStudies Association (MESA).

As an alum and longtime supporter of UA atthe state Capitol, I am proud of the universitys decision to cut ties with MESA. The associations blatant disregard for the truth about Israel and Jews endangers Arizonas Jewish community.

Last month, MESA recklessly advanced a boycott, divestmentand sanctions (BDS) resolution against Israel. Ninety-three percent of MESA members at their annual meeting voted to advance the resolution to a vote among the full membership.

Supporters of the resolution claim that Israel has committed systematic violations of the rights of Palestinian academics, including isolating, undermining or otherwise attacking Palestinian educational institutions andharassing Palestinian professors, teachers, and students.

But this utterly ignores that Israeli colleges and universities are the most diverse in the Middle East. Jews, Muslimsand Christians study and teach together in a collaborative environment that would be unimaginable in most neighboring countries.

MESA, a nonprofit organizationof 53 institutions and 2,800 faculty, is meant to foster collaboration among institutions and scholars in the academic field of Middle East studies. Blacklisting schools and professors from one Middle Eastern country because it disagrees with its government is nonsensical and runs counter to the organizations mission.

UA officials concluded that an association with MESA could violate a statelawrequiring entities conducting business with state government to sign a pledge against BDS. They also worried that continued cooperation with such an organization threatens the universitys commitment to free and open academic exchange.

As a member of the Arizona Legislature, I took an oath to uphold our constitution and protect all Arizonans, regardless of their race, religion or ethnicity. When BDS resolutions pass across the country, antisemitism and violence against Jews often follow.

In fact, the Anti-Defamation League has found a direct and frightening link between BDS resolutions, like the one MESA is considering, and spikes in antisemitic incidentson college campuses.

Across the country, Jewish students have had mezuzahs ripped from dorm room doors or have seen horrible flyers posted around campus. They have been excluded from on-campus involvement for having Jewish-sounding last names and ridiculed for speaking Hebrew.

While this may seem like something out of a horror movie, it is the reality faced by countless college students. Jewish students yearn for support on campus. Yet as anger toward Israel rages, many exceptional young men and women fall victim.

It goes without saying that universities should take swift action to protect these students, their identitiesand their safety.

Furthermore, when academic organizations like MESA threaten to boycott Israel, not only do they cut an entire nation out of the global academic community, but they also hurt their own members. Israeli academic institutions work with their counterparts worldwide to create groundbreaking technologies, advance the sciences and solve real-world challenges.

Any logical person would want to see college campus environments serve as safe havens for students from all walks of life and for free and open academic exchange.

It is refreshing to see the University of Arizona address MESAsrecklessness by taking a stand for Jewish students.

For far too long, American universities have stayed silent while students are subjected to bullying and intimidation. Many of these incidents are rooted in the BDS movements flawed and antisemitic rhetoric.

UAs Center for Middle Eastern Studies should be commended for taking a stand against antisemitism, standing up for academic independenceand protecting Jewish students.

Eachinstitutional member of MESA should reconsider its membership in an association that toys with Jewish students safety and the truth.

Alma Hernandez is a Democratic member of the Arizona House of Representatives for the 3rd district. On Twitter: @almaforarizona.

Read the original here:

University of Arizona took a meaningful stand for Jewish students. Others should, too - The Arizona Republic

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