Middle East Studies Association affirms right of members to discuss, call for BDS

The Middle East Studies Association (MESA), meeting in Washington D.C., passed a resolution Monday defending the right of its members to discuss, and advocate for, a boycott of Israel.

The text, adopted by 256 votes to 79, affirms that “calls for institutional boycott, divestment and/or sanctions are protected free speech and legitimate forms of non-violent political action”, and pointedly “deplores intimidation directed against organizations who have adopted BDS resolutions.”

This is a reference to attacks by pro-Israel advocates on the likes of the American Studies Association and the Association for Asian American Studies, after they supported the Palestinian call for BDS.

The resolution also mandates MESA to “organize discussions at its Annual Meeting and for the MESA Board to create opportunities in 2015 to discuss the academic boycott and consider an appropriate position for MESA.”

MESA, founded in 1966, has 2,700 members and more than 60 institutional members worldwide.

The resolution will now go to the full membership for a vote within the coming months.