New York, NY, December 27, 2013 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today commended CUNY Interim Chancellor William P. Kelly’s statement rejecting the decision made by the American Studies Association (ASA) to boycott Israeli academic institutions.

Interim Chancellor Kelly reiterated The City University of New York’s proud affiliations with Israeli universities and scholars, and expressed CUNY’s rejection of “any effort to foreclose productive dialogue.”

“We are grateful that you recognize that boycotting Israeli academic institutions and individual academics solely because they are Israeli is profoundly unjust,” said Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director, in a letter to Interim Chancellor Kelly.  “It was particularly gratifying to see CUNY affirm its longstanding association with Israeli scholars and universities. The views and insights of Israeli professors and academics often shape the public discourse and improve society, and this is a critical component of the free exchange of ideas that is so vital to any democracy, including Israel’s.”

In commending CUNY’s response to the ASA boycott, ADL also expressed the importance for academic institutions and associations to support peacebuilding and reconciliation initiatives, rather than succumb to anti-Israel measures.

“This resolution is a facet of the broader Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, which seeks to isolate and punish Israel and eventually dismantle Israel as a Jewish state,” Mr. Bernstein wrote.  “We thank you for your willingness to stand up and voice your opposition to the ASA decision.”

On December 16, The League called the ASA vote “morally bankrupt” and categorized the boycott as an “intellectually dishonest attack on academic freedom.”  Dozens of American colleges, universities and academic institutions have also issued statements rejecting the boycott, and some have withdrawn from the ASA.

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