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AnthropologyBoycottofIsraeliAcademicInstitutions:
EverythingYouNeedtoRunaTeach‐InSeptember2015
PalestinianchildrenstandbyadamagedwallofahouseinRafahinthesouthernGazaStripafteranovernightIsraelimissilestrikeinthesummerof2014.AP/LefterisPitarakis
AnthropologyBoycottTeach‐InPacket
FromVietnamtoOccupy,teach‐inshavebeenheldtochallengeandcorrectslantedcoverageofpressingsocialissues.StateTimes/WhitneyBashaw
HaveyousignedontotheboycottofIsraeliacademicinstitutionsandwanttoencourageyourcolleaguestodothesame?Thispacketprovidesalloftheresourcesyouneedtostartthediscussioninyourdepartment.Youdonothavetobean“expert”onthetopic.Weareheretohelpyourunaninformativeteach‐in.Pleasereachouttoussowecanworktogetherinplanningandrunningyourteach‐[email protected]‐inresourcepacketwasputtogetherbyofagroupofanthropologistswhoopposetheongoingIsraeliviolationsofPalestinianrights,includingtheIsraelimilitaryoccupationoftheGazaStrip,WestBank,andEastJerusalem.ItispartofacampaignbyanthropologiststoconvincetheAmericanAnthropologicalAssociationtoboycottIsraeliacademicinstitutionsthatarecomplicitintheseviolations.ThecampaignbeganinOctober2014withthecirculationofapledgenottocollaborateonprojectsandeventsinvolvingIsraeliacademicinstitutions,nottoteachatortoattendconferencesandothereventsatsuchinstitutions,andnottopublishinacademicjournalsbasedinIsrael.Over1,1000anthropologistshavesignedthepledgetomaintainthisboycottuntiltheseinstitutionsendtheircomplicityinviolatingPalestinianrightsasstipulatedininternationallaw,andrespectthefullrightsofPalestinians.
InDecember2014about700anthropologistsvotedtodefeataresolutionopposingtheacademicboycottofIsrael,choosingtokeeptheconversationopen.MichalRan‐Rubin
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TableofContents
I. Goals 4II. DiscussionTopicSuggestions 5III. PossibleSpeakersbyregion 8IV. Materials 13V. PlanningChecklist 15VI. HowtoDealwithPush‐back 16VII.TipsforModerating 18VIII.FurtherInformation 20
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I. GoalsHoldingateach‐inonAcademicBoycottinyourAnthropologydepartmentcanbeaneasy,tremendouslyeffectivewaytoencouragescholarstotakeastanceandsupporttheboycottindividually,andtoadvocatefortheAAAtoadopttheboycott.Withthesuggestionsandinformationalresourcesprovidedinthisteach‐inpacket,youcan:
● informstudentsandfacultyaboutPalestineandtheimportanceofrespondingtothecallissuedbythePalestinianCampaignfortheAcademicandCulturalBoycottofIsrael(PACBI)asawayofpressuringforchangeinIsrael
● helpyourcolleaguesandstudentsunderstandtheAAA’slonghistoryofsupportforotherrightsstrugglesandmakesupportingPalestinians’callforacademicboycotteasierforthosewhomaystillhavereservations
● bringknowledgeablespeakerswithfirst‐handresearchexperienceinPalestinetoyourcampuswhocanchallengeone‐sidednarrativesthatmaypredominate.
Mostimportantly,youcanpromotegreaterinvolvementinadvocatingforPalestinianrights.Thispacketincludessuggestionsfordiscussiontopics,possiblespeakers,FAQs,andaddressesmanymythsabouttheacademicboycott.Italsoincludessomepracticalsuggestionsabouthowtorunsuchaneventandpossiblescenariostoplanfor.Attachedisanappendixofarangeofmaterialsprovidingbackgroundinformationonkeytopics.Ateach‐incaninvolveseveralspeakerstalkingonarangeofissues,orjustone.Ideallyyou’llincludeananthropologisttospeakdirectlytotheissueofwhytheAAAshouldsupporttheboycottofIsraeliacademicinstitutionsasanassociation.Thisanthropologistcanbeyou,orsomeonefromthelistofsuggestedspeakersbelow,orothersyoumayknow.Thekeythingistoadvertisewidely,attractattentionandaudience,andbeprepared.
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II. DiscussionTopicSuggestionsTheHistoryandCurrentPoliticalConditionsWhyisboycottnecessaryatthispointintheIsraeli‐Palestinianconflict?ManystudentsandfacultymaynotunderstandthebasicsaboutIsrael/Palestineandtheoccupation,orhavemanyincorrect,preconceivednotions.It’simportanttostartateach‐inwithaclearexplicationofthecontextoflong‐termoccupationandsettler‐colonialism.Therearegoodprimersforobtainingthisbackgroundefficiently,andmanyofthespeakerslistedbelowcanprovideaclear,conciseexplaination.Onceyou’veconveyedkeyaspectsofthisbroadercontext,youcansituatethePalestinianCampaignfortheAcademicandCulturalBoycottofIsrael(PACBI)withinit.ThePACBIwebsiteoffersaclearstatementoftheneedforboycottaswellasboycottgoalsandguidelines.Itisimportanttocommunicatetotheteach‐inaudiencethattheAnthropologyboycottisaresponsetothePACBIcallandisorganizedinsolidaritywithit.Anthropology/AcademiaandtheboycottWhyshouldanthropologiststakeapublic,collectivestandinsupportofanacademicboycott?Ateach‐ininadepartmentofAnthropologywoulddowelltofocusexplicitlyontherelevanceofanthropologytoanacademicboycott,andvice‐versa.
‐ therelevanceoftheacademicboycotttoanthropology‐ therelevanceofanthropologytotheacademicboycott‐ whyboycottinguniversitiesratherthanjustcorporationsandstates?‐ balancingacademic,teaching,andpoliticalcommitments‐theroleof
publicintellectualsToconveytherelevanceofanacademicboycotttoanthropology,youcouldcirculateacopyoftheAAA’sofficialstatementonthefoundationalprinciplesofanthropologyasadisciplinealongsidethispositionpaperoftheAnthropologyfortheBoycottofIsraeliAcademicInstitutions,anddiscusshowtheAAA’scommitmenttosupportingjusticeandprogressivesocialchangeeffortsmakesitincumbentforustotakeastandontheboycott.Asareference,youcanalsousethisclearandconciseessaybyIlanaFeldmanandLisaRofelonwhyanthropologistsshouldboycottIsraeliacademia.Toconveytherelevanceofanthropologytotheboycott,youcoulddiscussthecomplicityofIsraeliarchaeologyintheoccupationthatisaddressedinthesethreeessaysandfilm.YoucouldalsocirculateanddiscussthisstatementbyIsraelianthropologistswhorejecttheanti‐boycottpositionandarguethataboycottisnecessarytoholdIsraeliacademiaaccountable.
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Manyanthropologistsarecomfortableboycottingcorporationsandstatesbutnotuniversities.Thesetwodocumentsonthemostcommonconcernsandreservationsraisedbyanthropologistswillhelpyouaddressthisquestionofthelegitimacyoftargetinguniversities.ThisspeechinfavorofBDSgivenbyHillaDayanatTelAvivUniversityisalsoapowerfulstatementabouttheimpossibilityofseparatingstateanduniversitywhenitcomestotheIsraelioccupation.Someanthropologistsmayarguethatanacademicboycottbyanthropologistsisanemptygesturethatwillnotbeeffective.YoucanrefutethisargumentbyusingthisessayontheprovenimpactofBDSonIsraelistateandsociety.Finally,itmaybehelpfultopointtothenumberofprominentanthropologistswhoaresignatoriestotheboycottandhavewrittentheseessaysaboutwhytheysigned.Whattheyaddressarefundamentalquestionsforallacademicsabouthowwebalanceouracademic,teaching,andpoliticalcommitments,andwhatistheroleofthepublicintellectual.AcademicFreedomHowdoestheboycottsupportacademicfreedom?Oneofthecriticismsoftheboycottisthatitunderminesacademicfreedom.Thefactis,theboycottseekstocreateconditionsinwhichtrueacademicfreedomisenjoyedbyallscholarsequally.Youcanstartthediscussionbyusingthisessayonthecurrentstatusquo:thesystematicdenialofPalestinianacademicfreedom.Astheessayargues,theIsraelistateanditsuniversitiesviolateacademicfreedomthroughmilitaryassaultsonPalestinianinstitutionsofhigherlearning,discriminationagainstPalestinianstudentsinbothuniversitysystems,andcensorshiponIsraelicampuses.BDSdemandsthatIsraelrespecttherightsofallpeoplewhoseektolearn.ContinuingtocollaboratewithIsraeliinstitutions,whichsystematicallydiscriminateagainstPalestinians,iswhatunderminesacademicfreedom.YoucouldalsopointoutthatthecurtailingofacademicfreedomissimilarlyevidentintheUnitedStates.ThecaseofStevenSalaita’srescindedjobofferfromtheUniversityofIllinoisduetohisviewsonPalestinewasonehighprofileinstanceofacademicfreedomdenied.Unfortunately,thiswasoneofmanyasshowninthispieceontheclimateofrepressionintheU.S.YoucouldendbyarguingthattherighttosupportBDSisitselfanissueofacademicfreedom.ThisessayevenarguesthatNOTspeakingoutagainsttheinjusticesinIsrael/Palestineistogiveupone’sacademicfreedom.SettlerColonialismHowisIsrael’srelationshiptoPalestineaninstanceofsettlercolonialism?
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ThestudyofsettlercolonialismisanimportantareaofcontemporaryanthropologicalstudyZionistsettlercolonialismhasproducedasystemofspatialenclosures,partiallythroughtheapartheidwall,partiallythroughasystemofIsraeli‐Jewishonlyroads,checkpoints,Jewish‐onlysettlements,andotherinfrastructuralmeans.Itcouldbeproductivetodiscusshowanthropologyhascriticallyinvestigatedsettler‐colonialisminothercontexts(e.g.,theU.S.,SouthAfrica,Australia)andwhatsettler‐colonialismasaframeworkallowsintermsofhistoricalandpoliticalconnections,solidarities,andstruggles.
● WhyisitimportanttothinkaboutIsraelintermsofsettler‐colonialismindistinctiontootherformsofcolonialismanddomination?
● Howdoesitelicitconnectionswithothermilitaryoccupations?● Howdoessettlercolonialismallowustothinkaboutslower,lessspectacular
iterationsofviolence?● Howdowethinkaboutsolidarity,alliancesfordecolonization?● Whatdoesdecolonizationactuallyentail?
Roundtable‐ContinuingandmovingforwardWhatarethenextsteps?Youmightwishtoconcludetheteach‐inwitharoundtablediscussionofhowtopracticallymovethecampaignfortheacademicboycottforwardonyourcampusandwithintheAAA.MakesurethatallyourcolleaguesattendingtheAAAinDenvervotefortheboycottattheBusinessMeeting.InvitepeopletosignthePetitioninsupportoftheboycott.
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III. PossibleSpeakersbyRegionNotethatsomeofthesespeakersmaybewillingtoskypeintoyourteach‐iniftheyarebasedtoofarfromyourcampus.EASTCOASTAmahlBishara,TuftsUniversity,[email protected]
AmahlBisharaisananthropologistwhohaswrittenaboutmediabias,Palestinianjournalists,andPalestiniancitizensofIsrael.ShehasextensivefieldworkexperiencethroughouttheWestBank,especiallyamongrefugees,andisapassionatespeaker.Topicsshecouldspeakoninclude:problemsoffreedomofexpressionunderIsraelirule,comparativesituationofPalestiniancitizensofIsraelandPalestiniansintheWestBank,theboycottmovementmorebroadlyIlanaFeldman,GeorgeWashingtonUniversity,[email protected]
IlanaFeldmanisahistoricalanthropologistwhoseworkfocusesonPalestinianlifeunderhumanitarianregimes,andthehistoryoftheGazaStrip.ShespentagreatdealoftimeinGaza,andherresearchhastakenhertorefugeecampsthroughouttheArabworld.Topicsshecouldspeakoninclude:historyoftheconflict,humanitarianism,Gaza,BDSgenerally.Inadditiontospeakingonherareasofexpertise,Ilanaisanexcellent,unflappablespeakertoinvitetoprovidehistoricalandpoliticalcontextandclearexplanationsoftheconflict.
*Prof.FeldmancanacceptinvitationsforspeakingatlocationsnearPrinceton.Sa'edAtshan,Swarthmore,[email protected]
Sa’edAtshan’sresearchaddresseshumanitarianpoliticsandaidinterventioninPalestine.HehasalsoconductedresearchintononviolentIsraeliandPalestiniansocialmovements.HeisanexcellentspeakerforprovidingbackgroundonPalestineandtheimportanceofBDS.HecanalsoaddressIsrael’spracticeof“pinkwashing.”SherineHamdy,BrownUniversity,[email protected]
Sherine’santhropologicalresearchfocusesonmedicine,ethics,Islam,andSTS,especiallyinEgypt.ShecanspeakaboutthepoliticsandethicsofBDS,andcanmakeastrongcasefortheimportanceofanthropologiststakingastandonthisissue.RebeccaStein,DukeUniversity,[email protected] RebeccaSteinstudieslinkagesbetweenculturalandpoliticalprocessesinIsraelinrelationtoitsmilitaryoccupationandthehistoryofPalestiniandispossession.HerlatestbookfocusesontheuseofmediainIsrael’soccupation.RebeccacanspeakabouttheIsraelioccupationandtheculturaltermsofIsraelicolonialism.ShiraRobinson,GeorgeWashingtonUniversity,[email protected]
ShiraRobinsonisahistorianwhohaswrittenanaward‐winningbookaboutthepoliticalconditionsofPalestiniancitizensofIsrael.Sheconductedextensivefield
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researchamongPalestiniancitizensofIsrael.Prof.Robinsonisaneloquentspeakerandanaward‐winningteacherwhocanexplainthehistoryoftheconflict.EveSpangler,BostonCollege,[email protected] EveSpanglerisasociologistwhoseexpertiseisontopicsofrace,class,andgender,aswellasIsrael/Palestine.SheisalsoadaughterofHolocaustsurvivors,andhaswrittenanengaging,wellresearched,andprovocativeprimeronIsrael/Palestine.Herbookcuts“throughthedangerousmythsaboutJewishsafetyandtheequallydamagingassumptionsaboutthenatureofJewishidentitythathavedrivenattitudesandpoliciesonIsrael.”AsaspeakeronshecanaddressthemyththatBDSisanti‐semitic. Evedrawsonherexperienceinthe1964NYCpublicschoolboycottcalledbyRev.MiltonGalamisontobringtheNYCBoard.ofEdtothetabletodesegregatepublicschools.ToddShepard,JohnsHopkinsUniversity,[email protected](outofthecountrythisyear)
ToddShepardisahistorianofdecolonizationwhohasworkedonFrance’srelationshiptoAlgeriaandtoMuslim“Arabs”morebroadly.Heisparticularlyinterestedinhowimperialismshapesnationalidentity,stateinstitutionsandrace,andtheresonancesbetweenstatepracticesandrightsstrugglesindifferentimperialandpost‐imperialcontexts.HecanspeakincomparativeperspectiveaboutwhatmakesIsraelacolonialstate.StevenSalaita,(tobecontactedviafacebookmessage)
StevenSalaitaisascholarofAmericanIndianStudiesandcomparativesettlercolonialism.HeiscurrentlyfightingtobereinstatedtoatenuredpositionatUIUCwhichwasrescindedbecauseoftweetscriticalofIsraelduringthe2014attackonGaza.SalaitacouldspeakbothtothenatureofIsraelasasettlercolonialstateandtothecorrosiveeffectsofZionismonacademicfreespeechandfacultygovernanceintheUnitedStates.BruceRobbins,ColumbiaUniversity,[email protected]
BruceRobbinsisaliteraryscholarwhoworksonliteraryandculturaltheoryandpostcolonialstudies.Heisalsoafilmmakerwhorecentlycompletedafilm,SomeofMyBestFriendsareZionists,whereheinterviewsJewishAmericanyouth,artists,andintellectualsaboutwhatledthemtochangetheirmindsaboutIsrael.HecanspeakaboutthechangingrelationshipofJewishAmericanstoZionismandthedevelopmentoftheirviewsonIsrael/Palestine.
NouraErakat,GeorgetownUniversity,[email protected] Nouraisahumanrightslawyerandactivist.SheisaforcefulandtrulyimpressivespeakerwhocanspeakabouthowIsraelviolatesinternationallawandPalestinianhumanrights.ShecanaddressthecriticismthattheboycottandtheUNunfairlysingleoutIsraelforextrascrutiny.RebeccaVilkomerson,JewishVoiceforPeace,[email protected]
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RebeccaisExecutiveDirectorofJewishVoiceforPeace.ShelivedwithherfamilyinIsraelfrom2006‐2009.In2010shewasnamedoneofthe50mostinfluentialJewishAmericanleadersbytheForward,andwasnamedoneof“14WomentoWatch”in2014.Rebeccacanspeakaboutthechargeofanti‐SemitismthatisoftenleveledatBDS,andaboutthequestionofboycottv.divestment,academicfreedom,andtheresponsibilityofJewstowardsPalestine.MID‐WESTJessicaWinegar,NorthwesternUniversity,[email protected] JessicaWinegarisananthropologistwhosefocushasbeenonEgyptandthepoliticsofanthropologyasadiscipline..ShehasbeendeeplyinvolvedintheBDSmovementadvocatingfortheAAAtosupporttheacademicboycott.Sheisaclearandpersonablespeakerwhocanspeakaboutthebasicprinciplesofboycott.Basedonherrecentresearch,shecanalsotalkaboutthebiasedpoliticsoftheAmericanAnthropologicalAssociationwhenitcomestotheMiddleEast.
SandraTamari(SouthernIllinois,Carbondale/StLouis),[email protected]
SandraTamariisaPalestinian‐AmericanmemberoftheSt.LouisReligiousSocietyofFriends.SheholdsaMaster’sdegreeinArabStudiesfromGeorgetownUniversityandisanorganizerwiththeSt.LouisPalestineSolidarityCommitteeandamemberoftheU.S.CampaigntoEndtheIsraeliOccupationSteeringCommittee.InMay2012,shewasjailedanddeniedentryintoPalestinebyIsraelbecauseofherworktoencourageU.S.churchestodivestfromtheoccupation.
NadineNaber,UniversityofIllinoisatChicago,[email protected](canonlydoeventsinChicago)
NadineNaberisananthropologistwhoworksongender,race,andactivistpoliticsinArabAmerica.ShehasbeenactivelyinvolvedinpublicdialoguearoundgenderviolencewithinArabAmericancommunitiesandtheracializationofArabAmericansafter9/11.ShewasalsoselectedasanInternationalFellowwiththeOpenSocietyFoundation’sAcademicFellowshipProgramtoworkwiththeInstituteofWomen’sStudiesatBirzeitUniversityinPalestine.ShecanspeakabouttheconstraintsfacedbyPalestinianuniversitiesandacademicsasaresultoftheIsraelioccupationandtheeffortsofU.S.‐basedscholarstocollaboratewiththeirPalestiniancounterparts.SteveTamari(SIU/Carbondale/StLouis)[email protected]
SteveTamariisaPalestinian‐AmericanhistorianwhoworksonIslamandtheMiddleEast.HehasadvocatedforBDSinanumberofvenuesandcanspeakabouttheimportanceofacademicstakingastandonthisissue.StevealsowritesablogontheMiddleEast:https://insidethemiddle.wordpress.com/[email protected]
AnnaBaltzerisanaward‐winningspeakerandNationalCampaignsCoordinatorfortheBDScampaignandpartoftheUSCampaigntoEndtheOccupation.ShecouldspeakaboutallaspectsofBDS.[emailed]
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DimaKhalidi(PalestineLegal,Chicago)‐info@palestinelegal.orgDimaKhalidiisanattorneyanddirectorofPalestineLegal,anindependent
organizationdedicatedtoprotectingthecivilandconstitutionalrightsofpeopleintheUSwhospeakoutforPalestinianfreedom.Dimacanspeakabouttheeffortstothreaten,harassandlegallybullyactivistsintosilenceandinactionandquashBDSwork.http://palestinelegal.org/about/LeilaAbdelrazaq,[email protected]
LeilaAbdelrazaqisayoungPalestinianwhojustpublishedBaddawi,agraphicnovelaboutherfather'slifeinaPalestiniancampinLebanon.LeilacouldaddresstheexperienceofPalestinianexileandpoliticalorganizingfromanartisticandactivistperspective.
AliAbunimah(Chicago)‐‐[email protected]
AliAbunimahisajournalistandco‐founderofTheElectronicIntifada.HecouldspeakaboutpoliticaleventsinIsrael/Palestine,itshistoricalandpoliticalbackground.HecantalkaboutthegrowingsupportforBDS,andaddressthemyththattheBDSmovementsupportsaone‐statesolution(whichisnot,infact,aBDSprinciple).UriHoresh‐‐[email protected](willbeintheMiddleEastformuchoftheyear)
UriHoreshisalinguistwhoworksonArabic‐Hebrewcontact.HecanspeakaboutconditionsinIsrael.
WESTCOASTLaraDeeb,ScrippsCollege,[email protected]
LaraDeebisananthropologistwhoseresearchhasfocusedongender,Islam,andLebanon,aswellasthepoliticsofanthropologyasadisciplinewhenitcomestotheMiddleEast.ShehasbeendeeplyinvolvedinorganizingfortheAAA’sacademicboycott.Shecanspeakaboutthereasonsforboycotting,howitworksandhowitcouldbeimplemented.
*SouthernCaliforniaareaonly.
LisaRofel,UniversityofCalifornia,SantaCruz,[email protected] LisaRofelworksonChinaandfeministanthropology.ShehasbeendeeplyinvolvedinadvocatingforBDS,andcanspeakabouttheimportanceofanthropologiststakingastandonthisissue.DavidPalumbo‐Liu,StanfordUniversity,[email protected] DavidPalumbo‐LiuhaswrittenextensivelyaboutBDS.Hecanaddressissuesofacademicfreedom,counterchargesofanti‐semitism,anddescribewhatledhimtochangehismindandcometosupportBDS.NadaElia,AntiochUniversity,[email protected] NadateachesGlobalandGenderStudies.SheisamemberoftheOrganizingCommitteeoftheUSCampaignfortheAcademicandCulturalBoycottofIsrael,and
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hasspokenaroundthecountryaboutacademicboycottasameanstoachieveacademicfreedomintheUS,Israel,andPalestine.AdditionalspeakerideasincludemembersofPACBIhttp://www.pacbi.org/etemplate.php?id=1800.
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IV. Materials1) PrimersonIsrael/Palestine:http://www.merip.org/primer‐palestine‐israel‐
arab‐israeli‐conflict‐newhttp://www.springer.com/us/book/9789463000888Israel/Palestine101Video:https://jewishvoiceforpeace.org/israeli‐palestinian‐conflict‐101/
2) PalestinianCampaignfortheAcademicandCulturalBoycottofIsrael,PACBI
GuidelinesfortheInternationalCulturalBoycottofIsrael,andCampaignResourceshttp://www.pacbi.org/http://www.pacbi.org/etemplate.php?id=1108http://pacbi.org/einside.php?id=59
3) MythsandRebuttals:Thisdocumentlistsanumberofcommon
misunderstandingsabouttheacademicboycott,withresponsesthatclarifywhatitisandhowitworks.“BoycottingIsraeliAcademicInstitutions:5Reasonsand5Myths”
4) AnthropologistsfortheBoycottwebsite‐especiallythe“yes‐but”sectionfor
fence‐sitters:Thispagelistsanumberofconcernsthatsomeanthropologistshaveaboutacademicboycotts,andaddressesthosereservationshttps://anthroboycott.wordpress.com/yes‐but/
5) “WhyISigned”‐Essaysbyanthropologistsexplainingwhytheysignedthe
petitionforanacademicboycott.AuthorsincludeParthaChatterjee,AmahlBishara,AnnStoler,MickTaussig,RhodaKenaaneh,TalalAsad,andothers‐https://anthroboycott.wordpress.com/tag/why‐i‐signed/
6) “WhyAnthropologistsShouldBoycottIsraeliAcademicInstitutions”‐‐Essay
byIlanaFeldmanandLisaRofel
7) TheAnthropologyBoycottcommittee’ssubmissiontotheAAATaskForceonIsrael/Palestine: “TheRelevance of Anthropology for the Boycott of IsraeliAcademicInstitutions”
8) Statementsubmittedby30IsraelianthropologiststotheAAAsupportingan
opendebateontheboycott:“DissentingIsraeliAnthropologistsRejectAnti‐BoycottResolution”
9) AnEducator’sPerspectiveontheBoycottof IsraeliAcademic Institutions ‐‐
by Lara Deeb, helpful for discussing the challenges in teaching aboutIsrael/Palestine
10) UsefulgraphicsfromVisualizingPalestine
http://visualizingpalestine.org/#visuals
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11) BDSMovementwebsiteexplainsindetailwhatBDSis,andoffersnewsandanalysisofthemovement:http://www.bdsmovement.net/
12) HumanRightsandNewssiteswithuptodatestatisticsandinformation
aboutcurrentconditionsinPalestine/Israel:
● Adalah‐seekstoachieveequalindividualandcollectiverightsforPalestinianArabcitizensofIsraelandtodefendagainstgrosshumanrightsviolationsagainstPalestinianresidentsoftheOPT.
● Al‐Haq‐PalestinianhumanrightsNGOintheWestBank● Badil‐PalestinianNGOforrefugeerights● B'Tselem‐TheIsraeliInformationCenterforHumanRightsinthe
OccupiedTerritories ● +972‐onlinemagazinecoveringawiderangeofhumanrightsand
socialjusticeissuesinIsrael/Palestine ● Foradditionaldiscussionofmediaresources,knowingyourlegal
optionsandmanagingdifficultdialoguesabouttheMiddleEast,pleaseseeAcademicFreedomandProfessionalResponsibility:AHandbookforScholarsandTeachersoftheMiddleEast.
13) EthnographiesonPalestine
AnthropologicalstudiesoftheexperienceofPalestiniandispossession:
● DianaAllan,RefugeesoftheRevolution:ExperiencesofPalestinianExile
(StanfordUniversityPress,2013)● RochelleDavis,PalestinianVillageHistories:Geographiesofthe
Displaced(StanfordUniversityPress,2010)● JulianeHammer,PalestiniansBorninExile:DiasporaandtheSearch
foraHomeland(UniversityofTexasPress,2005)● RhodaKanaaneh,BirthingtheNation:StrategiesofPalestinianWomen
inIsrael(UniversityofCaliforniaPress,2002)● RosemarySayigh,ThePalestinians:FromPeasantstoRevolutionaries
(ZedBooks,1979).
EthnographiesoflifeunderoccupationintheWestBankandGazaStrip:
● LoriAllen,TheRiseandFallofHumanRights:CynicismandPoliticsinOccupiedPalestine(StanfordUniversityPress,2013)
● AmahlBishara,BackStories:U.S.NewsProduction&PalestinianPolitics(StanfordUniversityPress,2012)
● IlanaFeldman,GoverningGaza:Bureaucracy,Authority,andtheWorkofRule,1917‐1967(DukeUniversityPress,2008)
● TobiasKelly,Law,Violence,andSovereigntyAmongWestBankPalestinians(CambridgeUniversityPress,2006)
● AvramBornstein,CrossingtheGreenLineBetweentheWestBankandIsrael(UniversityofPennsylvaniaPress,2002).
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V. PlanningChecklist● Publicize:createadvertising,socialmediaandflyers/posters(volunteer
designer:EthanHeitner,aNewYork‐basedcartoonist)● IFYOUAREDOINGATEACH‐IN,PLEASELETUSKNOW!!!● Bios:getBiosfromspeakersaheadoftime● Topics:providespeakerswithspecifictopicsyouwouldlikethemtoaddress
wellaheadoftime● Maps:providespeakerswithdirectionstocampus&maps,information
aboutreimbursements,andcontactdetailsfororganizers● Audio‐Visual:reservespacewithA/V.Westronglyrecommendthatyou
recordalleventstoprotectyourselvesandyourspeakers.Haveitonhandincaseoffalseaccusations.
● Food:orderrefreshments(food,breaks,collectivemeal,etc)● Guidelines:providemoderatorswithinstructions(seeSectionVIIfor
moderatorguidelines)
Safetyandsecurity● Useadistinctemailaddressratherthanschool/workemailandanonymize
organizersandparticipantsinlead‐uptotheevent.● MakesureUniversityadministrationandcampussecurityareawareofthe
event.
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VI. HowtoDealwithPush‐backHowtoaddressquestionsabout
● theethicsofboycottinguniversities○ seehttps://anthroboycott.wordpress.com/yes‐but/
● theboycottscapegoatingindividualIsraelis
○ seehttps://anthroboycott.wordpress.com/yes‐but/
● keepingdialoguegoing○ seethesection“IsraeliVoices”at
https://anthroboycott.wordpress.com/resources/
● Hamasrockets○ WhenpeopletrytorebutargumentsforBDSordiscreditBDSby
pointingtobadthingsthatPalestiniansdo,orbyclaimingthatIsraelisvulnerableandneedstoprotectitself(from,e.g.,Hamasrockets),itisanattempttodistractfromthecoreissues,andanattempttoattractsympathyforIsraelis.Callouttheattemptatmuddyingtheissues,andredirectconversationtothegoalofBDS,whichistopressurecitizensandgovernmentstopressureIsraeltoenditsdiscriminatorytreatmentofPalestinians.
● anti‐semitismintheBDSmovement
○ Theclaimthattheboycottisa“cover”foranti‐Semiticprejudiceisatacticusedtosilencecritics,discreditboycottsupporters,anddeflectattentionfromcriticismofinstitutionscomplicitwithIsraelistateviolationsofPalestinians’humanrights.Anti‐Semitismisdiscriminationagainstapeoplebasedontheirreligionand/orheritage.TheboycottisapoliticaltacticaimedattheIsraelistateandatIsraeliinstitutionsthataredirectlycomplicitinthesystematicdiscriminationagainstandviolencetowardsPalestinians.ItisnotdirectedatJewsorJudaism.CriticismofIsraelisnotanti‐Semitic.IsraeldoesnotspeakfororrepresentallJewishpeople,andnogovernmentisbeyondcriticism.Infact,theboycottcountssomeIsraeliandmanyJewishscholarsamongitsmostactivesupporters,includingmembersoftheAAA.See,forexample:https://jewishvoiceforpeace.org/content/our‐guidelines).
○ WhiletheremaybeindividualswhosupportBDSforanti‐semiticreasons,themovementrejectsanti‐semitismandracismofanykindpubliclyandvocally.See:http://mondoweiss.net/2015/06/washington‐explaining‐semitic
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WhattoexpectandwhattodoIsrael/Palestineisasensitivesubjectandcanelicitstridentreactions.Suchreactionscanbeunsettlingandareintendedtointimidatepeoplefromspeakingoutabouttheneedforjustice.Rememberthatthismakesyourteach‐inthatmuchmorenecessary.Rememberalsothatyoucanalwaysturntousforanyhelpyouneedinnavigatingproblems.Belowisalistofpossiblereactionsandsuggestionsforhowtohandlethem:
1. Faculty,students/studentgroups,donorsmayobjecttotheevent
2. Universityadministrationmayobjectordemand“balance”orrefusetoprovidefinancialsupport
3. Opposinggroupsmayspreadmisinformation,presentcountereventsor
demonstrations
4. Opposinggroupsmayverbally,byphone,orelectronicallyharassorganizers/participants
● Keepatime‐daterecordofallmessagesandencounters,andkeeporiginals
ofanyelectronicorwrittenmessages● Keepalistofanyeye‐witnessestoincidents● Photograph/recordincidentsastheyunfoldinrealtime● Knowwhatyourschool’sharassmentpolicyisandwhotogotoif
harassmentoccurs.Haveacopyoftheharassmentpolicytopresenttoanyharassersattheevent.
● Contactpoliceifthereisanyviolenceorseriousthreatofviolence.● ContactPalestineLegalifnecessaryforadvice.
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VII.TipsforModerating
● Introducepanelwithafewsentences.o Stateasimplebackgroundoftheacademicboycottmovement:“This
panelcametogetherpartlyinresponsetoPalestiniancivilsociety’scallfortheacademicandculturalboycottofinstitutionscomplicitinIsrael'sviolationsofinternationallawandPalestinianhumanrights,andespeciallyinresponsetoacallfromthePalestinianFederationofUnionsofUniversityProfessorsandEmployees.ThehorrificeventsinGazathissummerconfirmtheurgencyofthetaskathand–toendIsrael’soccupationandsystemicviolationofPalestinianrights.ThispanelandtheboycottofIsraeliinstitutionscontributestoagrowing,broadinternationalefforttoendIsrael’simpunity,whichthissummerallowedIsraeltodeliberatelytargetPalestinianciviliansandcivilianinfrastructure.Israelkilledmorethan2,000people,thevastmajorityofcivilians‐‐becauseitcould.”PeopleneedtopressureIsraelandtheUStostopthis.
● Offerasummaryoftheprinciplesandgoalsoftheboycott.
In2004and2005,PalestiniancivilsocietycalledforanacademicandculturalboycottofIsraeliinstitutions.ThiscallcamefromabroadswathofPalestiniancivilsociety,includingthelargestPalestinianteachersandprofessorsunionsthelargestteachersandprofessorsunions.ThePalestiniancallappealstotheinternationalacademiccommunityto“refrainfromparticipationinanyformofacademicandculturalcooperation,collaborationorjointprojectswithIsraeliinstitutions.”TheBoycottDivestmentandSanctions(or,BDS)campaignisbasedontheprinciplesofhumanrights,justice,freedomandequality.TheBDSmovementadoptsanonviolentstrategytoholdIsraelaccountabletothesamehumanrightsstandardsasothernations.Itisaskingtheinternationalacademiccommunitytoheedtheboycottcall,asitdidinthestruggleagainstSouthAfricanapartheid,until“Israelwithdrawsfromallthelandsoccupiedin1967,includingEastJerusalem;removesallitscoloniesinthoselands;agreestoUnitedNationsresolutionsrelevanttotherestitutionofPalestinianrefugeesrights;anddismantlesitssystemofapartheid.
● StatewhattheAnthropologyBoycottisdoing.
o EducatingtheAAAmembershipaboutkeyissuesrelatedtoIsrael/Palestineandtheresponsibilitiesofanthropologists.
o Openingtheconversationaboutacademicboycott.o Gatheringsignaturesforananthropologistpetitioninsupportof
academicboycott,thatcurrentlyhasover1000signatures.Onlinepetitionat:www.anthroboycott.wordpress.com.
o MovingtowardsaboycottvoteintheAAA.
● Introducepanelistsverybriefly.
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● Keepaneyeontime;toomanymoderatorsletpanelistsrambleon.
● AfterthepanelisoverandbeforeQ&A,explainguidelines.o Tellaudiencetokeepcommentstoaminimumandquestionsshort.
Warn:Willcutyouoffafteryouspeakforaminute.Emphasizethatthisistoensurethewidestandmostvariedconversationamongallaudienceandpanelmembers(i.e.,itisnotcensorshipor“bias”.)
o Youmaywishtosayacoupleofwordsaboutmaintaininganopenandunintimidatingconversation.
o Keepyourremarksbrief
● ThingstowatchoutforduringQ&A:o Repeatthequestionfromtheaudience,soeveryonecanhearandsoit
willbeclearonanyrecordingsthatmaybehappeningo Watchoutforfilibuster.Requirethatquestionsactuallybequestions
orspecificrequestsforcomment,ratherthanspeechesfromtheaudience.Donothesitatetointerruptanyonegivingaspeechandsay,“Pleaseaskaquestionorwearemovingontothenextpersonwithaquestion.”Youmayhavetoincreaseyourvolume.
o Watchoutfor“doyouconsiderHamasaterroristorganization”typequestions—moderatorshouldrejectquestionsthatareunrelated.
o Donotallowbackandforthwithpanelists.Feelcomfortabletocutsomeoneoffiftheytrytodebateapanelist.Ensuringwidevarietyofexchangeisyourgoal.
● Closingthepanel
o Endthepanelontimeo TELLPEOPLETOVOTEfortheboycottattheAAAo RemindthemtofollowtheboycottcampaignonFacebookand
Twittero Lettheaudienceknowthatiftheywouldliketolearnmore,theycan
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VIII.FurtherInformationPleasereachouttoussowecanworktogetherandhelpyouwithwhatever
youneedinplanningandrunningyourteach‐in.Foranyfurthersuggestionsoradvicecontactanthroboycott@gmail.com.