Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) Statement on the American Anthropological Association's (AAA) Boycott of Israeli Academic Institutions

Glen Cove, NY - The Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) is deeply troubled by the recent actions taken by the American Anthropological Association (AAA), the world's largest scholarly and professional organization of anthropologists.  We wish to express our strong opposition to the recent AAA resolution, which proposes a boycott of Israeli academic institutions.

In a groundbreaking decision, the American Anthropological Association (AAA) has voted to impose an academic boycott on Israeli academic institutions, referring to Israeli “apartheid” and violation of Palestinian rights “as stipulated in international law.” The AAA's boycott resolution decision passed with a 71% majority, representing over 12,000 members, and signals the largest organization advocating such a boycott of Israel.

A boycott of Israeli universities and colleges inevitably affects the faculty and students working, teaching, and studying in them. This resolution effectively creates a blacklist that punishes academics based on their nationality, political views, and the policies of their government.

We firmly believe that academic boycotts are discriminatory and antithetical to the principles of free inquiry and open exchange of ideas that define the academy. Such boycotts are contrary to the core values of academic freedom and open debate.  We believe that the best way to address political differences is through dialogue and engagement, not boycotts.

We will continue to foster a culture of openness and intellectual exchange, and we invite our colleagues in the AAA to join us in this endeavor.

For more information about HMTC and our mission to combat hate and intolerance, please visit our website www.hmtcli.org.