The Academic Intifada Defeats the Association for Jewish Studies

Key Findings:

This article critiques the recent actions of the Association for Jewish Studies (AJS), asserting that the AJS has capitulated to anti-Israel pressure within academia. The AJS, an academic body meant to support Jewish scholarship and scholars, released a policy statement rejecting institutional boycotts but allowing individual academics the right to refuse collaboration based on political views.

This position is contradictory. While it nominally opposes boycotts, it effectively sanctions informal academic boycotts of Israelis, particularly those affiliated with Israeli institutions. The author labels this as a “fig leaf” that provides cover for academics who wish to ostracize Israeli scholars under the guise of personal choice. This undermines the very essence of academic freedom and open inquiry, which should transcend political disagreements.

This shift exists within a broader "academic intifada"— a radical ideological movement within universities that seeks to marginalize Israel and its supporters through cultural and academic isolation. The academic intifada not only harms Israeli academics, but also endangers Jewish students on campuses — many of whom are experiencing rising hostility and antisemitism tied to anti-Israel activism.

The AJS should reverse its stance and reassert its commitment to true academic freedom, dialogue, and inclusion. Jewish scholars and allies should stand firm against ideological purges masked as moral stances, and uphold the academic values the AJS was founded to protect.