Congress of the United States ‘Washington, DE 20313 Sanvary 17, 2014 Mr. Curtis Marez President ‘American Studies Association 1120 19" StNW, Suite 301 Washington, DC 20036 Doar Mr. Marea: ‘We write in strong opposition 1 the American Studies Association's (ASA) recent decision to boycott Israeli Universities and academic institutions. While ASA has every right to express its views on policies pursued by any nation or government, we believe that the decision to blacklist Israeli academic institutions for Israeli {government policies with which ASA disagrees demonstrates a blatant disegard for academic freedom. The ASA claims tha the boycot “isin soidarty with scholars and students deprived of ther academic freedom and it aspires to enlarge that freedom fr al including Palestinians.” We believe that this boyeat accomplishes Just the opposite. The university isan institution intended to foster, encourage, and inspire constructive dialogue ‘and original thought. However, this boycott undermines academic freedom by prohibiting educational and cultural exchanges with Israeli universities an academic institutions. Even more cancoming isthe singular targeting of Israel for boycot. Like all democracies, Israel is not perfect. But to single ou Isracl, while leaving relationships with universities in autocratic and repressive countries intact, suggests thinly-veiled bigotry and bias against the Jewish State. This morally dishonest double standard has already been rejected by well over 100 university presidents, with several member universities even Withdrawing from the organization in protest. Some higher education organizations-—inchuding the American Association of University Professor, the ‘American Couneil on Education, andthe Association of American Universities—have denounced the boycott as unjust and harmful to the goals of academic freedom. Even Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas ‘ejects boycott of Ira, stating: “No, we do rat support the boyeot of Isracl..'We have relations with srl, Wwe have mutual recognition of Isa.” ‘Academic cooperation can bean important toa to help foster peace between lareclis and Palestinians, but you have chosen the unproductive path of isolation We hope that the ASA will lea to appreciate tbe mutually beneficial academic ties between the United Stes and Israel and work wih us to promote peace and academic freedom. fle ‘Trecdore E. Deutch Member of CongressEy Ate esc Han oY emp VAT Fuducad Wn ne AER teagie he itat Foner Ph NU VELA Heber Qan Hpayaon—GGL lax Goer, Oi rb. ae Fm tiell oe ‘iy. {th ble ir oe If N 2. jon v feD, Sehakowsky kik Ge Cp- Seacnees De eS ae alibtudhy ag, or ares eee Nish Bochua— Bgl) DaosisOMabui prt ore fami a ers oe la ar al HH in cay = atten Pere a OS vi i rey ae om Gh gr— Cow Deh Fee Hes Member of Congress ‘Member of Congress Member of CongressNoes otCeess Nome of Cages Mee (ta (fas fut tue Nene Cores Noni of Cones entero Corres HES Nene Daler sel enh he Member of Congress er of Qongress ‘Member of Congress Lteres — badn Me Member of Congress Member Congress ce Ms. Lisa Duggan Presidentetect American Studies Association 1120 19" St. NW, Suite 301 ‘Washington, DC 20036