In this article, I summarize key insights from Cary Nelson's book, 'Israel Denial: Anti-Zionism, Anti-Semitism, & The Faculty Campaign Against the Jewish State' (Indiana University Press).
By Dr Tim Orr
As many of you know, my 'mea culpa' moment occurred on October 7, the same day that Israel was attacked by Hamas, coinciding with my arrival in London. Within days, I witnessed rallies against Israel even before it had responded to the attacks. This prompted me to delve deeper into the background of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the ideologies driving such protests.
In this article, I summarize key insights from Cary Nelson's book, 'Israel Denial: Anti-Zionism, Anti-Semitism, & The Faculty Campaign Against the Jewish State' (Indiana University Press). Nelson explores the rise of anti-Zionism and its correlation with antisemitism, focusing on academic institutions where faculty-led campaigns against Israel are increasingly prevalent. His work sheds light on how anti-Zionism, often framed as a critique of Israeli policies, can mask deeper antisemitic sentiments, leading to a broader denial of Israel's legitimacy and the Jewish people's right to self-determination.
Origins of the BDS Movement In 2005, the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement began, initiated by a call from Palestinian civil society groups to take action against Israel due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The movement's key objectives include ending what it calls Israel's "occupation and colonization" of Palestinian territories, ensuring equal rights for Arab citizens of Israel, and supporting the right of return for Palestinian refugees and their descendants. Proponents of BDS often depict it as a non-violent means of addressing these issues, drawing on the legacy of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. However, a more detailed analysis of the movement's rhetoric and structure reveals an agenda that challenges Israel's fundamental right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state. This agenda is reflected in statements made by BDS leaders and in the broader ideological foundation of the movement.
Antisemitic Elements in the BDS Movement The BDS movement has faced criticism for incorporating antisemitic motifs. These appear when the movement's rhetoric demonizes or dehumanizes Israel and Israelis, with comparisons to apartheid South Africa or even Nazi Germany, suggesting an inherent evil within Israelis. This leads to a collective blame approach, where all Israelis, irrespective of their beliefs or roles, are punished, echoing antisemitic traditions that hold all Jews accountable for the actions of a few. Additionally, BDS's denial of Jewish self-determination, seen in its rejection of a two-state solution and delegitimization of a Jewish state, raises questions about underlying biases. Other antisemitic themes within BDS include employing classic stereotypes, such as notions of Jewish control over financial systems or governments. Critics also point out that the movement applies double standards, focusing disproportionately on Israel while ignoring other significant human rights abuses worldwide. This attitude, combined with a rejection of dialogue with Israelis, contributes to the criticism that BDS promotes anti-Jewish sentiment while advocating for Palestinian rights.
The BDS Movement's Impact on Academic and Cultural Sectors The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement has gained considerable traction in recent years, becoming a prominent force in the global discourse surrounding Israel and Palestine. Despite its widespread adoption among academic, cultural, and political circles, the movement has faced criticism for its impact on dialogue, academic freedom, and the principles of open inquiry underpinning educational institutions. This criticism is further fueled by BDS's decentralized structure, which, while providing flexibility, often leads to inconsistency and a lack of accountability.
Consequences of BDS's Decentralized Approach Unlike hierarchical movements with central command, the BDS campaign operates as a decentralized network with diverse organizations sharing resources, information, and strategies. This decentralized structure allows the movement to adapt to local contexts and use various platforms to propagate its message. However, this flexibility also means that individual groups and activists can take extreme or discriminatory actions in the name of the broader movement, leading to a lack of oversight and accountability. This decentralized nature allows BDS to permeate multiple domains, including political-diplomatic, economic, legal, and academic spheres, but at the cost of consistency and responsibility.
Anti-Normalization and Its Implications One of the most contentious aspects of the BDS movement is its anti-normalization agenda, which seeks to isolate Israel by discouraging any form of dialogue or cooperation with Israeli institutions or individuals. This stance creates barriers to the very dialogue many view as crucial to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By rejecting interaction with Israelis, BDS inadvertently undermines efforts to foster understanding and bridge the divide between Israelis and Palestinians. This has led to incidents on university campuses where BDS supporters disrupt events featuring Israeli speakers, oppose academic collaborations, and discourage students from study-abroad programs in Israel. These actions limit academic freedom and create a hostile environment for those seeking dialogue with Israel.
Impact on Campus Life and Academic Freedom The BDS movement's presence on university campuses has been a significant contention. While proponents argue that academic boycotts target institutions, not individuals, the reality is that these boycotts impact individual students and faculty. By opposing academic collaborations, research partnerships, and study-abroad programs, BDS creates barriers to academic exchange and restricts the freedom of inquiry that universities should uphold. Furthermore, the movement's aggressive tactics, such as disrupting events and harassing pro-Israel students and faculty, create a climate of fear and hostility on campus.
Disproportionate Focus and Double Standards One of the major criticisms of the BDS movement is its disproportionate focus on Israel, ignoring other significant human rights issues. While Israel has faced criticism for its policies toward Palestinians, the BDS campaign's portrayal of Israel as a primary source of global human rights violations raises questions about its underlying motives. Critics argue that BDS overlooks more severe human rights abuses in other parts of the world, suggesting a double standard and potential anti-Semitism. This disproportionate focus on Israel, while ignoring other human rights issues, raises concerns about the true objectives of the BDS movement.
Addressing the Challenges of the BDS Movement To address the challenges posed by the BDS movement, academic institutions, and professional associations need to foster constructive dialogue and promote environments where differing viewpoints can be discussed openly. Initiatives encouraging cooperation and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians offer a more productive path toward peace. Academic freedom and open inquiry should also be protected, allowing academic collaborations and research partnerships to flourish without external pressure or intimidation. In summary, while the BDS movement aims to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, its tactics and focus raise serious concerns about academic freedom, anti-normalization, and potential antisemitic biases, which require a balanced and nuanced approach.