(CNN) — In a historic decision this week, the American Studies Association voted to boycott Israeli academic institutions, endorsing Palestinian civil society’s call for boycotts, divestments and sanctions against Israel until it complies with international law and ends abuses against Palestinian human rights.
The decision by the American Studies Association, a group of academics involved in the study of U.S. culture and history, to boycott collaborations with institutions is important. The ASA is one of the first major U.S. academic groups to take this step, and it sends a strong message to Israeli intellectuals and elites that their nation’s policies will lead only to international isolation.
The boycott, divestment and sanctions movement (BDS) was started by Palestinian political parties, trade unions and political movements in 2005. Signatories include refugees, Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories and Palestinian citizens of Israel.
The legitimacy of the movement’s tactics comes into sharp focus in the light of Nelson Mandela’s death and the struggle in South Africa against apartheid.
Today, Israel practices apartheid. It’s a system of unjust laws enforced by the gun to restrict the human rights of one group — Palestinians — with the aim of keeping political power in the hands of another demographic group — Israeli Jews.
Shockingly, CAIR is cheering.
