APLU Statement in Opposition to Boycott of Israeli Academic Institutions

January 2, 2014—The Executive Committee and the President of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) today issued the following statement on the recent call by some scholarly associations for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions.

“The Executive Committee and President of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) strongly oppose the boycott of Israeli academic institutions supported by certain U.S. scholarly organizations.

“The core mission of the academic community is to create and disseminate knowledge through research, teaching and service. Freedom of inquiry and expression are the foundational principles of this vital work, and free exchange of ideas is its lifeblood. This boycott wrongly limits the ability of American and Israeli academic institutions and their faculty members to exchange ideas and collaborate on critical projects that advance humanity, develop new technologies, and improve health and well-being across the globe.

“Members of the academic community certainly have the right to express their views, but the call for a boycott in this case is severely misguided and wrongheaded. We urge others to express their opposition as well.”

Randy Woodson, Chancellor, North Carolina State University, APLU Board Chair

Sally Mason, President, University of Iowa, APLU Board Immediate Past Chair

Jim Clements, President, Clemson University, APLU Board Chair-Elect

Bernadette Gray-Little, Chancellor, University of Kansas, APLU Council of Presidents Chair

Teresa Sullivan, President, University of Virginia, APLU Council of Presidents Secretary

Peter McPherson, President, APLU