New York, NY, April 26, 2016 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today commended New York University (NYU) for rejecting a vote to divest from Israeli institutions.

NYU’s Graduate Student Organizing Committee voted to back a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) resolution against the State of Israel, which included divestment from Israeli companies and a call to close a joint-NYU-Tel Aviv University program.

“We are grateful to New York University for unequivocally denouncing its graduate student union and their resolution in support of BDS against Israel as ‘at odds’ with its policy,” said Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director. “This ill-conceived resolution is simply an attempt to isolate, delegitimize, and weaken Israel’s standing in the global community. As such, the union’s resolution is in complete opposition to the ideals of academic freedom, and represents a platform inconsistent with NYU’s principles of inclusivity.

“Other universities in New York facing similar resolutions should follow NYU’s appropriate condemnation by sending a strong message that BDS campaigns on campus hinder any productive dialogue regarding the highly complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and create unnecessary divisions among students,” Mr. Bernstein added.

Since September 2014, ADL has been running its Words to Action program, an interactive education program for college and pre-college students designed to empower and equip them with constructive and effective responses to combat anti-Semitism and anti-Israel bias.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.  Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_NY