Alexander Yakobson: A Reply to ‘Questioning the Jewish State’

Many Middle East pundits and commentators increasingly argue that Israel’s Jewish and democratic identities are contradictory. This trend ramped up most recently in March, when Joseph Levine wrote an extensive piece in The New York Times questioning the idea of a Jewish state, concluding that there is “an unavoidable conflict between being a Jewish state [...]

New IAN Insider: Divestment Defeat, Academic Boycotts, and a New Community Partnership

The newest IAN Insider is out! In the latest issue of our bi-weekly newsletter, we speak to the president of the student organization at the helm of defeating divestment at UC Davis this month, plus, our coverage of academic boycotts continues as the Association of American University Professors releases a statement condemning recent decisions by [...]

AAUP Condemns Recent Academic Boycotts of Israel

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) released a statement condemning academic boycotts and expressed their “disappointment” in the Association for Asian American Studies (AAAS) vote to pass a resolution boycotting Israeli academic institutions, and physicist Stephen Hawking’s decision to renege on plans to attend a major conference in Israel next month. “In view of [...]

Morgan Freeman Accepts Award From Canadian Friends of Hebrew University

A hearty Mazel Tov is in order for Morgan Freeman – for both receiving the Canadian Friends of Hebrew University (CFHU) Jake Eberts Key of Knowledge Award, and withstanding pressure from the BDS movement to turn down the honor. Freeman praised Jewish culture while accepting the award at the May 6 benefit gala, hosted by [...]

UK Students Reject BDS

Students in the UK have spoken and their message is clear: No to BDS. The National Executive Council (NEC) in the United Kingdom rejected a motion calling for the National Union of Students (NUS) to join the international Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement by a vast majority vote. With only five in favor, three [...]

ACTION ALERT: Take a Stand Against Academic Boycotts

Many conflicting reports surfaced today surrounding a story in The Guardian claiming that famed physicist, professor and author Stephen Hawking was backing out of a high-profile conference in Israel in support of an academic boycott on Israel. Soon after the news broke however, a Cambridge University spokesman was quick to step forth and reiterate that Professor [...]

TV Actors Gush About Their Trip to Israel

A group of Hollywood actors are putting their summer hiatus to good use – by visiting Israel! America’s Voices in Israel, a division of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, recently wrapped a trip to Israel that brought actors from the hit American TV show “Scandal” and “Once Upon A Time” to tour [...]

Absolut Vodka Dedicates Bottle to Tel Aviv

(Absolut Tel Aviv. Design: Nir Peled (Pilpeled)) Here’s something we can really drink to: Absolut vodka just debuted a special edition bottle dedicated to Tel Aviv! The Israeli city joins the likes of Los Angeles, New Orleans, London, Vancouver, Istanbul and other international hot-spots that have received the Absolut bottle treatment. Tel Aviv joins these ranks as part of [...]

ACTION ALERT: Email UC Berkeley Student Body President to Veto Anti-Israel Bill

Last week, the Associated Students (ASUC) at UC Berkeley passed SB160 calling on the ASUC and the UC Regents to divest from three companies doing business with Israel. But the fight is far from over. Please join us and our colleagues in California in sending and sharing the following action alert, urging the president of [...]

Roger Waters On Israel Boycott: ‘I Am Considering My Position’

Could it be true? Is Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, an ardent BDS supporter, backtracking on his calls to boycott Israel? The answer is…maybe. The former front-man for Pink Floyd told The Huffington Post that he is “considering” rescinding his plans to pen a letter urging fellow musicians to boycott Israel in support of Palestinians. “I [...]