On April 10, the Associated Student Government Senate at the University of Arkansas passed ASG Senate Resolution No. 19, “A Resolution to Reaffirm Support for Jewish and Israeli Students at the University of Arkansas.” This resolution, which was drafted in “support of Jewish and Israeli students” on campus, accurately labels the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against Israel) movement as anti-Semitic and “promotes the inclusion of Jewish and Israeli students and their beliefs and values on campus.” Passed by the Student Senate in a 40-2 vote, this resolution is unlike most other anti-BDS resolutions passed at other schools. This Senate resolution features a recognition of the fact that campus anti-Semitism is on the rise, noting how the number of anti-Semitic incidents on college campuses rose by 89% from 2016 to 2017. Motivated by “the increase in anti-Semitic activity in the U.S. in the last year, particularly on college campuses, including but not limited to the BDS movement, Neo-Nazism, and white supremacist movements, the Associated Student Government Senate deem[ed] it necessary to issue a resolution of support for Jewish and Israeli students.” While the resolution makes clear the Student Government’s stance on the discriminatory BDS movement, it notes that this resolution is not seeking to make a statement on any international issue, but rather is “condemn[ing] any movement or activity that alienates Jewish and Israeli students from social and academic circles” on campus. Following the adoption of this resolution, Noah Bradshaw, one of the resolution’s authors, noted that “bringing in people from varying backgrounds, political beliefs, and levels of support, we showed that compromise is key, and that the university of Arkansas is a welcoming place for Jewish and Israeli students.” The Louis D. Brandeis Center applauds the efforts of Noah Bradshaw, as well all those who contributed to the successful passage of this resolution. If more schools follow University of Arkansas’s lead, the number of schools where the BDS movement flourishes will soon diminish. The full text of the resolution can be found below. Associated Student Government University of Arkansas ASG Senate Resolution No. 19 Author(s): Senator Noah Bradshaw, Senator Drake Moudy, Senator Jesse Kloss Sponsor(s): Senator Karsen Sims, Senator Warrington Sebree, Senator Allison Barnett, Senator Brandon Davis, Senator Mateo Lopez, Senator Strohmann Breeding, Senator Amarchi Onyebueke, Senator Thea Winston, Senator Elonay, Senator Bhimani, Senator Jaocb Boone, Senator Jared Pinkerton, Senator Garett Dorf, Senator Strohman Breeding, Senator Collin Petigna, Senator Miriam Siddiqui, Senator Christine Carroll, Senator Andrew O’Neil, Senator Clay Smith A Resolution to Reaffirm Support for Jewish and Israeli Students at the University of Arkansas Whereas, The University of Arkansas is home to a small but vibrant Jewish minority; and Whereas, Jewish and Israeli students bring valuable experiences and insight to the academic setting of the University of Arkansas; and Whereas, The Chancellor of the University of Arkansas has made it abundantly clear that diversity and inclusion are among his eight priorities for the University; and Whereas, In ASG Senate Resolution No. 04, the ASG Senate expressed its commitment to diversity and inclusion on campus; and Whereas, Jewish people are facing the highest rate of recorded anti-semitism in the United States in the last decade[1]; and Whereas, The Anti-Defamation League has identified 204 anti-semitic incidents on college campuses in the U.S. in its 2017 Audit of Anti-Semitic Events, an 89% increase since 2016[2]; and Whereas, Due to the increase in anti-semitic activity in the U.S. in the last year, particularly on college campuses, including but not limited to the BDS movement, Neo-Nazism, and white supremacist movements. , the Associated Student Government Senate deems it necessary to issue a resolution of support for Jewish and Israeli students on this campus; then Be it resolved, The Associated Student Government Senate is not seeking to make a statement on any international issue, but rather condemns any movement or activity that alienates Jewish and Israeli students from social and academic circles on the University of Arkansas campus; then Be it therefore resolved: That the Associated Student Government Senate supports the inclusion of Jewish and Israeli students and their beliefs and values on campus; and Be it further resolved: As consistent with ASG Senate Resolution 04, the Associated Student Government Senate supports the acknowledgement of a diverse student body. Official Use Only Amendments: Vote Count: Aye 40 Nay 2 Abstentions Legislation Status: Passed yes Failed _ Other ___________________________ ________________ Colman Betler, ASG Chair of the Senate Date ___________________________ ________________ Andrew Counce, ASG President Date [1] https://www.adl.org/resources/reports/2017-audit-of-anti-semitic-incidents#major-findings [2] https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/27/589119452/anti-semitic-incidents-see-largest-single-year-increase-on-record-audit-finds