In a stinging rebuke to the Asian-American Studies Association, the American Association of University Professors has just strongly reaffirmed its opposition to academic boycotts.  The new AAUP statement responds to both Stephen Hawking’s recent controversial decision to boycott Israel as well as the AASA decision to endorse the anti-Israel boycott.  The AAUP acknowledges that individual scholars like Hawking have a right to do as they choose.  However, the organization blasts the Asian-American Studies Association and emphasizes that the anti-Israel boycott is a violation of the principle of “the free exchange of ideas” and their free expression.