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In the second case of this academic year, a teacher from the University of Michigan refused to write a letter of recommendation inviting a student to study in Israel because of the support of the University of Michigan. instructor in boycotting Israeli universities.
The news of this refusal comes as Israel is under scrutiny for arresting an American student and ordering her deportation for her alleged support of the boycott movement. An amendment to an Israeli law passed in 2017 prohibits foreign supporters of the boycott of Israel from entering the country. While Israel had previously enforced the law to ban the entry of at least one American academic, it is the first case of this type that is blocking a student.
Both cases show that studies abroad have become an enlarged front in the academic boycott battles surrounding Israel. Some blame the instructors for letting personal policy affect the decision to write a letter in favor of a student and suggest that there might be something anti-Semitic in that. they consider a singular focus on Israel deserving of an academic boycott. Others argue that professors are right not to support study abroad in Israel, which they say is not open to all US students because of their ethnicity or background. involvement in boycott activism.
Case # 1: A second instructor refuses to write a recommendation
The Washington Post Lucy Peterson, a postgraduate assistant, refused to write a letter to Jake Seckler, a junior to whom she had taught an introductory course in political theory, after initially stating that she was not a student. she would be "delighted" to write a recommendation to her. study abroad.
the To post After learning that Seckler was planning to study at Tel Aviv University, Peterson replied, "I am so sorry I did not ask before agreeing to write your letter of recommendation, but unfortunately I will not be able to write in your name. Along with many other academics in the United States and elsewhere, I pledged to boycott Israeli institutions in order to show our solidarity with Palestine. "
"Please, be aware that this decision does not concern you as a student or as a person, and I will be happy to write you a recommendation if you end up applying for a position at the university. other programs, "Peterson wrote to Seckler. Seckler's father is Israeli and Seckler has traveled to Israel five times.
Neither Seckler nor Peterson responded to requests for comments from Inside Higher Ed. the To post After Peterson's refusal, Seckler met with an associate dean of social sciences at the Michigan College of Literature, Science and the Arts to discuss the issue. The associate dean would have proposed to write him a recommendation.
This is the second case reported in Michigan this fall. In September, John Cheney-Lippold, associate professor at the Michigan Department of American Culture, refused to write a letter to a student wishing to study abroad in Israel, because of his support for the movement of boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel.
The Michigan Public Affairs Office declined to comment on the latest case on Tuesday. "Based on the history of The Washington Postthis second instance involved a graduate student instructor and an undergraduate student. Since the two[re] students, the university is not allowed to share information without the written consent of students, "said a spokesman, Rick Fitzgerald.
He added: "The university is taking the appropriate steps to deal with the first case, but we are not discussing public issues either, which is the case with most organizations."
In written remarks on the first case in September, President Mark Schlissel promised to act, but did not specify what form it would take.
"We are a large and diverse public university, and the individual opinions of our community vary widely on many issues. But personal opinions and politics must never interfere with our support for students. It goes against our values and expectations as an institution, "said Schlissel.
"Regents, leaders and I have been deeply involved in this business. We will take appropriate action to address this issue and the broader issues it has raised. "
The president of the Anti-Defamation League on Tuesday urged Michigan to "take immediate steps so that students will not be denied the opportunity to participate in an accredited program abroad because of political views. of their teachers ".
"Boycotts such as these, refusing to recommend a deserving student solely because she intended to study in Israel, have a deterrent effect on Jewish and pro-Israeli students on the campuses, who may feel isolated and vulnerable when authority figures or campus groups express hostility or avoid them because of their opinions and their associations, "said Jonathan A. Greenblatt , CEO of the ADL, in a statement.
"We are strong advocates of academic freedom. Of course, everyone, including teachers, has the right to openly express their views on the policies of the elected Israeli government. But this should not be to the detriment of students looking to expand their academic experiences. "
"These teachers said they had no problem writing recommendations for students who could study in any other country in the world. Designating Israel as the only one worthy of boycotting, according to the State Department's working definition, risks going from criticism of Israel to anti-Semitism, Greenblatt said. .
In an interview last month with Inside Higher EdCheney-Lippold, the first of two Michigan instructors to have refused to write a letter of recommendation for a student leaving for Israel, defended the opportunity for professors to let their ethical and political stances shed their light. choice to write letters on and on behalf of their students. He stated that he had refused to write a letter to one of his students for studying in Israel because he opposed inequality, to oppression and occupation, as well as to apartheid.
"A teacher should have a decision about how his words will be taken and where they will go," Cheney-Lippold said. He added: "I have an extraordinary political and ethical conflict, I am ready to help this student to go to this place."
Cheney-Lippold did not respond to an email request late Tuesday afternoon, asking him if he had had repercussions in Michigan for his decision not to write the letter. He has been criticized by many people – including implicitly by the president of his university – for letting his personal policy affect his decision to write a letter to support a student's academic goals. But his supporters defended his decision on the grounds that studies abroad in Israel are discriminatory and are not open to all students.
A statement in support of Cheney-Lippold of the American Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, which advocates the boycott of study abroad in Israel, said: "Prof. Cheney-Lippold's decision is based on ample evidence that Israeli study abroad programs are not equally accessible to all students attending US universities. Some students, especially students of Palestinian, Middle Eastern and Muslim origin, who are trying to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories may be denied a visa for Israel or denied entry. in the country by the Israeli immigration authorities and customs, as reported in the United States. Travel Council of the State Department. "
"In addition, the Israeli government has declared its intention to deny entry to members of pro-BDS organizations, such as Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace. Many students on US campuses are members of these organizations and could not enter Israel. Therefore, study abroad programs in Israel exclude some students for reasons of national, ethnic or religious identity and for political reasons, and are contrary to the fundamental principle of equal opportunities in education. "
Case 2: An American student is detained in Israel
Last week, Israel ordered the deportation of Lara Alqasem, an American student who had received a student visa to the Israeli consulate in Miami to pursue master's studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, but she was 39; was denied entry to Israel upon arrival at Tel Aviv airport anyway. The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that Alqasem, who has Palestinian grandparents, was still in detention while she was appealing the order to deport her for her support. alleged boycott movement. Israeli officials spoke of her role as a former president of the Florida University Students Group for Justice in Palestine and said that during her tenure as president, the group advocated boycotting the Israeli brand of hummus , Sabra.
"Lara has chaired the chapter of one of the most extremist and hateful anti-Israeli BDS groups in the world," Israel's Minister of Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan said, according to the Associated Press news agency. . Erdan suggested that he could reconsider the order to expel Alqasem if she apologized and gave up her support for the BDS.
Malini Johar Schueller, an English professor and educational consultant for the Students for Justice in Palestine group in Florida, said by email that she was "extremely upset by the way SJP is portrayed as a hate group. It is a legitimate student organization with sections in many campuses across the country. Their website states that "Students for Justice in Palestine is founded at the University of Florida to raise public awareness and advocate for Palestinians under Israeli occupation". Since when have historical consciousness and activism become reprehensible?
Schueller shared a statement signed by 27 faculty members, including herself, calling for the immediate release of Alqasem and describing her detention as "a violation of her human rights, academic freedom and her freedom Detention clearly shows that Israel discriminates against Americans of Arab origin, students who, because of their cultural and family ties with Palestine … are regularly repressed when they seek to enter Israel. "
The Hebrew University is joining the appeal for the expulsion of Alqasem, according to an Israeli publication Haaretz. The University Senate on Monday passed a resolution describing the university as "a place that does not fear disagreements and is pleased to hear several voices. The minister's decision not to allow the student to enter solely because of her views is a threat to what the institution of the university represents. "The resolution also said that Alqasem's decision to study in Israel" above all shows its reservations about the boycott. Like the testimony of researchers who know it. The minister's decision – which raises questions about the independence of Israeli universities under government policy – has the effect of reinforcing such a boycott. "
Haaretz The Association of Israeli University Leaders also sent a letter to the Minister of Strategic Affairs, Erdan, warning of harm to Israeli universities that banned students like Alqasem and calling on the ministry to consult universities. Home before taking expulsion measures.
"The damage done to Israel and to the entire Israeli academic world, to Israeli universities and in particular to Israeli scientists and researchers abroad through such decisions may well exceed the potential damage, the case appropriate, from his permission to enter Israel, "said the association President Joseph Klafter, president of Tel Aviv University, wrote in the letter.
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