Download PDF This afternoon, the Brandeis Center commended the European Sociological Association (ESA)Network 31, after the Network passed the first pro-active anti-boycott resolution by a professional European academic association late last week. Kenneth L. Marcus, President of the Louis D. Brandeis Center commented, “This is a very important development, because it signals that some academics understand the problematic nature of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and are willing to say so publicly. I hope that Network 31 becomes a model for other responsible academic associations.” The Brandeis Center provides research resources, public policy education, and legal advocacy to combat the resurgent problem of anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism on university campuses. Dr. Gunther Jikeli of the ESA Network 31 first experienced an attempt of a boycott by anti-Israel groups Campagne BDS France and AUDRIP at a Sciences Po conference held in Paris in April of last year. He and colleagues at the Network drafted the anti-boycott resolution in hopes of mitigating the anti-Semitic boycotts of the BDS movement. On September 5, 2014 The Board of ESA Research Network 31 passed the anti-boycott resolution unanimously. The ESA Network 31 aims at responding to the need to connect academics working in the field of ethnic relations, racism and anti-Semitism, in order to explore sociologically those crucial issues in contemporary societies. A few academic organizations — the Association for Asian American Studies (AAAS), Native American and Indigenous Studies Association, American Studies Association (ASA), and the Critical Ethnic Studies Association — have passed resolutions supporting Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS measures). Other organizations such as the Modern Language Association (MLA) have considered and rejected resolutions critical of Israel. In general, these associations have faced significant criticism and public backlash. The ASA’s resolution, for example, provoked negative responses from hundreds of university presidents. These university leaders generally argued that BDS resolutions undermine the value of academic freedom. Others have argued that BDS resolutions are anti-Semitic either in their intentions or in their effects. According to Dr. Jikeli, “[as] the first pro-active anti-boycott resolution by a professional academic association in Europe, we now hope that other networks will take it up and pass similar resolutions.” The resolution is as follows, “In view of recent calls for boycott of Israeli scholars and research institutions, Research Network 31 “Ethnic Relations, Racism and Antisemitism” of the European Sociological Association (ESA) calls on our colleagues in ESA and scholars around the world to oppose such boycotts and condemn this discriminatory practice which contributes to creating an antisemitic climate. Any such boycott violates academic freedom and discriminates against individuals and institutions on the basis of their national background.” Correction: An earlier version of this statement incorrectly attributed the passing of the resolution to the ESA, when it was in fact adopted by ESA Network 31.