University of Michigan Votes Against BDS

After a controversial proposal that would see the University of Michigan supporting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel, the university's student government voted against the resolution, 25 votes to 9.

The decision came late Tuesday night, the same evening Chicago's Loyola University voted to pass on a very similar resolution, 12 votes to ten.

These proposals of an academic boycott of Israeli businesses and institutions have been in full swing recently, and, though the proposal itself is cause for concern, the fact that both these universities have rejected the proposal is evocative of the fact that many Americans today, students and professionals alike, are staunch supporters of Israel.

While in Canada, students at the University of Windsor passed a resolution approving a boycott of Israeli companies, activists are working feverishly to put this resolution to an end. Last week, 50 leading liberal academics announced a new pro-Israel initiative developed by Ameinu, a liberal Zionist organization, which will battle this academic boycott of Israel and protect freedom of expression.

Those members of the Michigan's student government that support Israel, however, faced stern opposition. The debate ran long into the night, lasting past midnight, and all through the night via twitter (look for the hashtag #UMDivest).

The meeting was attended by 375 students, with an additional 200 students in an adjoining room, and 2,000 viewers online.

Professors, law students and undergraduate students spoke at the conference to support and dispute the resolution, and though it caused animosity, it was passed somewhat peacefully by Wednesday morning. One representative who spoke at the conference said “Students were personally targeted, threatened, and attacked. Nobody should be fearful walking to class. When elected representatives are harassed, the democratic process is undermined.”

Agreed. Glad to see that the University of Michigan is providing a strong example for other American universities who may, unfortunately, in the future see similar proposals. Though the American Studies Association did decide to boycott Israel in November, many universities have since distanced themselves from the organization.

That at least, is something to be thankful for.