Resolution Opposing Anti-Israel Activities on Campus

Whereas the Rabbinical Assembly has passed resolutions opposing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, most recently in 2005 and attempts to delegitimize Israel in 2010;

Whereas anti-Semitism is once again on the rise on college campuses, as seen by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights finding anti-Semitism to be a “serious problem” on college campuses (2005), the findings of Gary Tobin, et. al., in The Uncivil University: Intolerance on College Campuses (2009), and most specifically the finding in Alone on the Quad: Understanding Jewish Student Isolation on Campus (2011), that over 40% of Jewish American college students report that they are aware of or have experienced anti-Semitism on their campus;

Whereas Jewish students on campuses every year have to contend with what others call “Israel Apartheid Week” that sows hatred and divisiveness, as well as professors and fellow students who make pro-Israel support and even Jewish identification uncomfortable prospects for young adults living independently for the first time; and

Whereas the BDS movement that unfairly seeks to delegitimize Israel has been an issue on campuses but was ably responded to by Hillels that held pro-Israel programs as seen most recently at the University of Pennsylvania as well as other campuses across the country from Rutgers University to UC Irvine.

Therefore be it resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly call upon its members to reach out to their students on campus to ascertain if they are experiencing anti-Semitism or anti-Israel programming in order to support them when needed and to speak out against these issues;

Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly members to work with and actively support Hillel Israel programming, specifically its advocacy for Israel and Birthright trips.

Be it further resolved that members of the Rabbinical Assembly work with their local Federations and Community Relations Councils to monitor anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activities on local campuses and to speak out when circumstances warrant.

Passed by the Rabbinical Assembly Plenum, May, 2012