Courtesy of University of Oregon Stock Photos After several BDS resolution fails this semester on campuses like the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), Texas A&M University, and the University of Arkansas, the Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO) Senate passed a BDS resolution on Wednesday, May 23rd. The BDS resolution was authored by Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights (SUPER) and passed by a 12-6 vote. Accusing the university of having “been a proponent in funding the business of state-sanctioned violence” against Palestinians, SUPER introduced the anti-Israel resolution a mere week before the vote took place. University of Oregon President Michael Schill immediately clarified that the BDS resolution “contradicts the ASUO mission to support the interests of all students in a diverse community.” While at least 30 different groups endorsed the BDS resolution (including Decolonizing Judaism, the Muslim Student Association, the Native American Student Union, and the Southeast Asian Student Alliance), the pro-Israel community on campus took action immediately. Impressively, two days before the vote, Ducks for Israel created a petition that ultimately gained over 850 signatures that represented students from over 170 different student organizations on campus. More than 200 students showed up to the senate meeting, where many students voiced their concern over the bill. With so many students in opposition to the resolution, it would appear that the passage of the BDS resolution would not be representative of the wishes of the student body as a whole. Unfortunately, the bill still passed. Ducks for Israel released a statement saying, “To the ASUO, we will hold you accountable for the many concerns we had that you said would not occur following the BDS resolution. We will not stand idly by when it comes to the safety and inclusion of our students on this campus and we hope you will not either.” QuackPac, another pro-Israel group on campus, also condemned the actions of the ASUO. Additionally, The Oregon Hillel Foundation expressed their dismay over the passage of the resolution. The BDS resolution misleadingly claims that “BDS is an inclusive, anti-racist human rights movement that is opposed to all forms of discrimination, including anti-semitism and Islamophobia.” The resolution specifically demands that the university divest from the following companies: the Strauss Group, the Osem Group, Hewlett-Packard Company, Ahava, General Electric, Eden Springs, Motorola, Caterpillar, G4S, and Elbit Systems. Additionally, ASUO “will prohibit the purchase of products from Sabra, Tribe, Hewlett-Packard Company, SodaStream, Motorola, Caterpillar, G4S, and Elbit Systems.” President Schill additionally commended the students on their respectful manner of discussion and debate and touched on the impact BDS has on Jewish students. He said, “Regardless of the relative merits of the Palestinian Authority and the State of Israel, it is important that all of us make every effort we can to avoid dividing our community along the lines of ideology, religion or national origin. To many Jewish people, myself included, the BDS movement not only seeks to criticize the policies of the current Israeli government, but also calls into question the very right of the State of the Israel to exist.” Schill’s dismissal of the BDS resolution follows a precedent set by administrations at other schools, like Barnard College and George Washington University, who have been quick to condemn the actions of their student governments. SUPER and Decolonizing Judaism later released a statement claiming that their promotion of BDS was not anti-Semitic and promised that they would help combat anti-Semitism on campus. While The Oregon Hillel Foundation, who strongly opposed the resolution, expressed appreciation for the statement released by SUPER and Decolonizing Judaism, it is important to note that the concerns many students at UO had about BDS resolutions are valid, as anti-Semitism is frequently masked as anti-Zionism. For example, AMCHA’s Antisemitic Activity Report has shown that anti-Semitic activity increases when anti-Israel and BDS activity is prevalent on campuses. It is for this very reason that the BDS movement is detrimental to the campus environment and the safety of Jewish college students. Actions speak louder than words, and the ASUO has failed their student body, especially the Jewish population on campus, by passing this BDS resolution.