Go Anteaters! UC Irvine rescinds BDS resolution

The University of California at Irvine Student Senate has repealed a 2012 resolution that called for the campus to divest from companies that do business with Israel.

Meeting on March 31, the Associated Students of UC Irvine voted to repeal the earlier BDS resolution by a vote of 15 for, 6 against, with 2 abstentions.

Senator Marshall Roe introduced a resolution to repeal  R48-15 , stating it had contributed to a hostile campus climate for Jewish students.   The boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement was denounced as “contrary to the foundational ideals of Higher Education and thus the values of the UC.”

Senate Roe, quoted in the Jerusalem Post expressed his desire that the repeal of the highly divisive resolution would return the campus to a position of neutrality on the conflict

“I believe that embracing neutrality on this matter and thus repealing R48-15 would dispel the noxious atmosphere and create neutrality on campus, a neutrality that would foster an environment of reconciliation rather than rancor.”

When the original resolution passed in 2012, Ali Abunimah of the Electronic Intifada gloated that the "historic" vote was a "stinging defeat" to "Zionist bullying" on campus.   He has not made a statement since the original vote was rescinded.

In the 8 years since  the passage of the  original BDS resolution, not a cent have been divested from UC Irvine, or any campus of the University of California. The UC Irvine / Israel Engineering Initiative remains strong and supports collaborative  educational research initiatives withTel Aviv University, the Technion (Israel Institute of Technology), Ben Gurion University and Hebrew University.

For more information on the repeal of UC Irvine's BDS resolution see:

UCI Student Senate Repeals BDS Resolution

UC Irvine Student Senate repeals BDS resolution

Welcome to Burgerim: Halal burgers served with BDS tears.

While hardly authentic Israeli cuisine, the Burgerim franchise is making a splash nationwide. Donna Tuchner, an Israeli native,  opened the first Burgerim in Tel Aviv.  The concept is customized mini-burgers, with ground meat, vegetarian and fish offered in burger form.  Oren Loni, Burgerim's current owner and president purchased Burgerim's name and rights and is selling franchising rights worldwide. Burgerim is slated to open its 500th store by the end of the year. In the East Bay alone, there are Burgerim locations in Walnut Creek, El Cerrito, Concord, Vallejo, San Ramon, San Pablo,  Livermore, Antioch and Newark.  

Its strange to imagine that the locally operated and locally owned franchises of a concept restaurant that originated in Israel would attract the BDSer's ire, but their choices have never been logical. After all, this was the group that instituted a boycott of  "made in New Jersey" Sabra hummus, because the name kinda sorta reminded them of Israel.

 The Burgerim boycott is in the true spirit of the Sodastream boycott, where hundreds of Palestinian workers lost their well paying jobs for their "own good" . The Burgerim boycott is as much of an "own goal". 

The Burgerim franchise proudly, respectful promotes its Halal burgers, providing a dining out opportunity to traditionally observant members of the Islamic faith.

In observance of Ramadan, the Dearborn, Michigan Burgerim (owned and operated by an Arab-American) set up a tent, was open until 3am, and gave out free burgers. 

Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) San Francisco Bay Area Zahra Billoo's irrational response to a business franchise respecting and embracing cultural diversity was...wait for it... blood libel.

To the blame Israel crowd, it simply Halal-washing.

Amer Zahr, in his blog "The Civil Arab"  knows the boycott is absurd, writing:

Now, it may be technically true that the US operations no longer have a formal, legal connection to the Israeli operations. But, of course, there would be no American Burgerim if there were no Israeli Burgerim, which proved the concept, showed market success, and imported the idea and CEO here to America. 

Yeah.  It kinda sorta reminds him of Israel and that's enough to merit a boycott.  

You know what to do.  Check out Burgerim.  If you don't eat meat, have one of their yummy milkshakes.  Or try their falafel burger.  It won't help Israel, but it might make an Israel-hater cry. And isn't that the least we can do?

Beyond Falafel. Israeli food in America

Did ya catch the Google doodle a few weeks back?
Falafel, the mainstay of Israeli street food, is hitting the mainstream.

Beyond falafel, Israeli cuisine- that glorious synthesis of cultures that reflects the diversity of Israeli society is now lauded and glorified.  Philadelphia's Zahav, (Hebrew for gold) was just voted the best  restaurant in America in 2019 by the James Beard Foundation.   Think "the Oscars"  for the culinary arts.   Last year, Zahav’s chef and co-owner, Michael Solomonov, was named outstanding chef in America. Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi's cookbook Jerusalem was a culinary phenomenon.  Check out the "tasting Jerusalem"  #tastingjrslm hashtag on Twitter- still going strong years after the the book was initially published.

In the Bay Ara, Oren's Hummus has just opened its 4th restaurant, with more in the pipeline.

Oren's proudly broadcasts its Israeli roots, in the store, and on the web, and on the menu.

Yeah, this counts as a BDS fail.

Call your Congressional Reps: Ask them to Co-sponsor H.Res 246

H.Res 246 is a new  Congressional resolution with wide bipartisan support.  The resolution  condemns the anti-semitic, anti-peace BDS tactic, and reaffirms Congressional support for a negotiated peace agreement between Israel and her neighbors.

There are currently 198 co-sponsors.   If your Congressional Representative isn't listed here, call them and ask them to co-sponsor the resoultion.  If they are already here, call and thank them.

Current Co-sponsors:

Rep. Zeldin, Lee M. [R-NY-1]* 03/21/2019
Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-10]* 03/21/2019
Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2]* 03/21/2019
Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3] 03/25/2019
Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-30] 03/25/2019
Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-23] 03/25/2019
Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] 03/25/2019
Rep. Bustos, Cheri [D-IL-17] 03/25/2019
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] 03/25/2019
Rep. Rice, Kathleen M. [D-NY-4] 03/25/2019
Rep. Luria, Elaine G. [D-VA-2] 03/25/2019
Rep. Meadows, Mark [R-NC-11] 03/25/2019
Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20] 03/25/2019
Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17] 03/25/2019
Rep. Brindisi, Anthony [D-NY-22] 03/25/2019
Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-7] 03/25/2019
Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5] 03/25/2019
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5] 03/25/2019
Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6] 03/25/2019
Rep. Hill, Katie [D-CA-25] 03/25/2019
Rep. Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL-22] 03/25/2019
Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21] 03/25/2019
Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12] 03/25/2019
Rep. Watkins, Steve [R-KS-2] 03/27/2019
Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-15] 03/27/2019
Rep. Cooper, Jim [D-TN-5] 03/27/2019
Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3] 03/27/2019
Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8] 03/27/2019
Rep. Spano, Ross [R-FL-15] 03/27/2019
Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12] 03/27/2019
Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5] 03/27/2019
Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18] 03/27/2019
Rep. Budd, Ted [R-NC-13] 03/27/2019
Rep. Wright, Ron [R-TX-6] 03/27/2019
Rep. Walden, Greg [R-OR-2] 03/27/2019
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1] 03/27/2019
Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16] 03/27/2019
Rep. Burgess, Michael C. [R-TX-26] 03/27/2019
Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18] 03/27/2019
Rep. Brooks, Mo [R-AL-5] 03/27/2019
Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3] 03/27/2019
Rep. Banks, Jim [R-IN-3] 03/27/2019
Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11] 03/27/2019
Rep. Peterson, Collin C. [D-MN-7] 03/27/2019
Rep. Johnson, Bill [R-OH-6] 03/27/2019
Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2] 03/27/2019
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1] 03/27/2019
Rep. Gallagher, Mike [R-WI-8] 03/27/2019
Rep. Gibbs, Bob [R-OH-7] 03/27/2019
Rep. King, Peter T. [R-NY-2] 03/27/2019
Rep. Bishop, Rob [R-UT-1] 03/27/2019
Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5] 03/27/2019
Rep. Tipton, Scott R. [R-CO-3] 03/27/2019
Rep. Katko, John [R-NY-24] 03/27/2019
Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13] 03/27/2019
Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1] 03/27/2019
Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35] 03/27/2019
Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4] 03/27/2019
Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17] 03/27/2019
Rep. Lipinski, Daniel [D-IL-3] 03/27/2019
Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12] 03/27/2019
Rep. Rose, Max [D-NY-11] 03/27/2019
Rep. Shalala, Donna E. [D-FL-27] 03/27/2019
Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14] 03/27/2019
Rep. Luetkemeyer, Blaine [R-MO-3] 03/27/2019
Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10] 03/27/2019
Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5] 03/27/2019
Rep. Holding, George [R-NC-2] 03/27/2019
Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16] 03/27/2019
Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24] 03/28/2019
Rep. Posey, Bill [R-FL-8] 03/28/2019
Rep. Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [R-WI-5] 03/28/2019
Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [D-NJ-2] 03/28/2019
Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6] 03/28/2019
Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1] 03/28/2019
Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46] 03/28/2019
Rep. Murphy, Stephanie N. [D-FL-7] 03/28/2019
Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-52] 03/29/2019
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8] 03/29/2019
Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-21] 03/29/2019
Rep. Flores, Bill [R-TX-17] 03/29/2019
Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1] 03/29/2019
Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-16] 03/29/2019
Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2] 04/01/2019
Rep. Allred, Colin Z. [D-TX-32] 04/01/2019
Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2] 04/01/2019
Rep. Davis, Rodney [R-IL-13] 04/01/2019
Rep. Sarbanes, John P. [D-MD-3] 04/01/2019
Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16] 04/01/2019
Rep. Lamb, Conor [D-PA-17] 04/01/2019
Rep. Reschenthaler, Guy [R-PA-14] 04/01/2019
Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6] 04/01/2019
Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6] 04/01/2019
Rep. Long, Billy [R-MO-7] 04/01/2019
Rep. Thornberry, Mac [R-TX-13] 04/01/2019
Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28] 04/01/2019
Rep. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM-3] 04/01/2019
Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1] 04/01/2019
Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] 04/01/2019
Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25] 04/01/2019
Rep. Napolitano, Grace F. [D-CA-32] 04/01/2019
Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1] 04/01/2019
Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-6] 04/01/2019
Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] 04/01/2019
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-27] 04/01/2019
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-20] 04/01/2019
Rep. Roe, David P. [R-TN-1] 04/02/2019
Rep. Collins, Chris [R-NY-27] 04/02/2019
Rep. Gianforte, Greg [R-MT-At Large] 04/02/2019
Rep. Higgins, Brian [D-NY-26] 04/02/2019
Rep. Crist, Charlie [D-FL-13] 04/02/2019
Rep. Riggleman, Denver [R-VA-5] 04/02/2019
Rep. Stivers, Steve [R-OH-15] 04/02/2019
Rep. Malinowski, Tom [D-NJ-7] 04/02/2019
Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] 04/02/2019
Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3] 04/02/2019
Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1] 04/02/2019
Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8] 04/02/2019
Rep. Wild, Susan [D-PA-7] 04/02/2019
Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17] 04/02/2019
Rep. Kim, Andy [D-NJ-3] 04/02/2019
Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6] 04/02/2019
Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large] 04/02/2019
Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5] 04/02/2019
Rep. Sires, Albio [D-NJ-8] 04/03/2019
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5] 04/03/2019
Rep. Taylor, Van [R-TX-3] 04/03/2019
Rep. Spanberger, Abigail Davis [D-VA-7] 04/03/2019
Rep. Schrader, Kurt [D-OR-5] 04/03/2019
Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2] 04/03/2019
Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-33] 04/03/2019
Rep. Cardenas, Tony [D-CA-29] 04/03/2019
Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-15] 04/03/2019
Rep. Doyle, Michael F. [D-PA-18] 04/03/2019
Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47] 04/03/2019
Rep. Finkenauer, Abby [D-IA-1] 04/03/2019
Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3] 04/03/2019
Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25] 04/03/2019
Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4] 04/03/2019
Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-41] 04/03/2019
Rep. Cunningham, Joe [D-SC-1] 04/03/2019
Rep. DesJarlais, Scott [R-TN-4] 04/04/2019
Rep. Abraham, Ralph Lee [R-LA-5] 04/04/2019
Rep. Weber, Randy K., Sr. [R-TX-14] 04/04/2019
Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-9] 04/04/2019
Rep. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI-8] 04/04/2019
Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8] 04/04/2019
Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1] 04/04/2019
Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11] 04/04/2019
Rep. Brady, Kevin [R-TX-8] 04/04/2019
Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10] 04/04/2019
Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11] 04/04/2019
Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2] 04/04/2019
Rep. Smith, Jason [R-MO-8] 04/04/2019
Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-18] 04/04/2019
Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6] 04/04/2019
Rep. Mooney, Alexander X. [R-WV-2] 04/04/2019
Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29] 04/04/2019
Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2] 04/04/2019
Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4] 04/04/2019
Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3] 04/04/2019
Rep. Armstrong, Kelly [R-ND-At Large] 04/04/2019
Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6] 04/04/2019
Rep. Mucarsel-Powell, Debbie [D-FL-26] 04/04/2019
Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34] 04/08/2019
Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2] 04/08/2019
Rep. Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [D-NJ-9] 04/08/2019
Rep. Walker, Mark [R-NC-6] 04/08/2019
Rep. Herrera Beutler, Jaime [R-WA-3] 04/08/2019
Rep. Delgado, Antonio [D-NY-19] 04/08/2019
Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11] 04/08/2019
Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-3] 04/08/2019
Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3] 04/08/2019
Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49] 04/08/2019
Rep. Curtis, John R. [R-UT-3] 04/08/2019
Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5] 04/08/2019
Rep. Davis, Susan A. [D-CA-53] 04/08/2019
Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12] 04/08/2019
Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6] 04/08/2019
Rep. Horn, Kendra S. [D-OK-5] 04/08/2019
Rep. Cox, TJ [D-CA-21] 04/08/2019
Rep. Levin, Andy [D-MI-9] 04/08/2019
Rep. McHenry, Patrick T. [R-NC-10] 04/08/2019
Rep. Ratcliffe, John [R-TX-4] 04/08/2019
Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12] 04/10/2019
Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9] 04/10/2019
Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15] 04/10/2019
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9] 04/10/2019
Rep. O'Halleran, Tom [D-AZ-1] 04/10/2019
Rep. Collins, Doug [R-GA-9] 04/10/2019
Rep. Sanchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38] 04/10/2019
Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4] 04/10/2019
Rep. Brown, Anthony G. [D-MD-4] 04/10/2019
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2] 04/10/2019
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24] 04/10/2019
Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19] 04/10/2019
Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8] 04/10/2019
Rep. Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA-40] 04/10/2019

Add your voice here

Opposition grows against Airbnb's corporate anti-Semitism

Opposition continues to grow regarding Airbnb's decision to delist Jewish homes in Judea and Samaria from their home-sharing app.

On Wednesday, the Berkeley Hills City Council passed a resolution condemning what they described as a "reckless" and  "despicable action".

From the Jerusalem Post

“We find the actions of Airbnb deplorable,” said Mayor Julian Gold. “On behalf of our residents, this unanimous resolution reflects the City Council’s ongoing commitment to Israel and to exposing hatred anywhere it exists.”

“Airbnb is not welcome in Beverly Hills as long as its policies are based on anti-Jewish double standards,” added Vice Mayor John Mirisch. “Jew hatred is a disease. We can try to inoculate others against this malady but we also must protect ourselves against its effects.”

Class action lawsuits  directed against Airbnb are also planned by both Israeli and American hosts and guests. 

Airbnb's Corporate Anti-Semitism

After 2 years of intensive lobbying by anti-Israel groups, Airbnb capitulated to the bullies last week, and announced that it would be removing listing of Jewish homes in Judea and Samaria, writing "We concluded that we should remove listings in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank that are at the core of the dispute between Israelis and Palestinians. " Only homes hosted by Jews are affected. There are dozens of land disputes and conflict zones in the world, yet Airbnb has only taken action on this one.

The backlash was swift.

From the Airbnb Community Center Discussion Room
This is the sheerest form of corporate anti-Semitism in recent memory. Not only did AirBNB specifically target “Israeli settlements,” according to Professor Eugene Kontorovich of George Mason Law, they’ve announced that they will only disallow listings in Israeli settlements when those listings are owned by Jews. In other words, if a Jew owns an apartment in East Jerusalem, that won’t be allowed for listing; if an Arab owns an apartment in the same neighborhood, it’s fine for listing.

In the popular media:

From The Spectator:

.Airbnb’s ban on Israeli settlements is shameful

Airbnb has taken the extraordinary decision to stop advertising homes for rent in Jewish settlements in the West Bank. It is extraordinary because Airbnb still advertises places to stay in Tibet, a place many Tibetans consider to be unjustly dominated by China. And in Crimea, recently annexed by Russia. And in Northern Cyprus, a Turkish-ruled statelet since the mid-1970s, which only Turkey recognises as a legitimate state, and to which Turkey has sent huge numbers of settlers in recent decades. Why are Turkish settlers less offensive to the Western conscience than Jewish ones? Why is it OK to rent a holiday apartment in Turkish-settled Northern Cyprus but not in Israeli-settled parts of the West Bank? Anyone?

From the N.Y. Post:

Airbnb’s act of corporate anti-Semitism

Airbnb says: No Jews allowed. The apartment-sharing service has sided against Israel by banning and delisting the apartments of peaceful Jewish civilians living in Judea and Samaria. And that’s not even the worst part.
Nor is the worst part that Airbnb is helping propel the destructive myth that Jews would abandon their claim to the disputed West Bank if only there were enough international pressure.
No, the worst part is that Airbnb has singled out Jews, and only Jews, as the one group in the world that is worthy of such censure. That’s what makes its boycott a naked act of corporate anti-Semitism.

In social media, people posted screen-shots of deleting the airbnb app on Twitter and facebook

Hosts also began curtailing their relationship with Airbnb
Airbnb is no longer for me – my response to Airbnb – as a so-called “Super Host”Oppose Discrimination by Airbnb

Airbnb’s website claims “Discrimination has no place on our platform.”  But, discrimination now plainly has a major place on Airbnb’s platform, if one happens to be a Jew living or renting a home in the Jewish people’s indigenous, historical and religious homeland, in Judea and Samaria.

Dr. Michael Oren, Israel’s former ambassador to the USA, characterized it best when he tweeted: “Airbnb blacklists Jewish apartments in Judea and Samaria— not Palestinian apartments, not apartments in Turkish occupied Cyprus, in Moroccan occupied Sahara, not in Tibet or the Crimea.  Airbnb’s policy is the very definition of anti-Semitism.  No one should use its services.”

How can you help correct this egregious wrong?

The blog  "Five Minures for Israel" has some suggestions

• Avoid airbnb while this policy is in force.
• Let the company know how you feel and that you will not be using their services until they change their policy.
  Address: 888 Brannan Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 USA
  Internet contact: https://www.airbnb.com/help/contact_us/channel
  Twitter: @Airbnb
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airbnb
  https://www.airbnb.com/help/feedback
• Use and share the right graphic as your round Facebook profile. Click for appropriately sized image.
• Share the left graphic at the beginning of this article.
• Add you name to online petitions, such as Airbnb – Don’t Delist Judea and Samaria Rentals! and Oppose Discrimination by Airbnb, Tell AirBNB they need to reverse their discriminatory decision!
• Write a letter through the Action Network, Airbnb, Stop Discriminating Against Israelis.
• Comment on media reports.

John Cheney-Lippold faces the music

Occasionally, actions have consequences, even for tenured professors.

John Cheney-Lippold, a tenured American and digital studies associate professor at the University of Michigan refused to write a letter of recommendation for a student wanting to study in Israel.    

The University has launched disciplinary proceedings against Cheney-Lippold. In an Oct 3rd letter, published in the Detroit News,  Elizabeth Cole, the acting dean of UM’s College of Literature, Science and the Arts wrote:

"Your conduct has fallen far short of the University’s and College’s expectations for how LSA faculty interact with and treat students...This letter is a strong warning that your behavior in this circumstance was inappropriate and will not be tolerated."

"In the future, a student's merit should be your primary guide for determining how and whether to provide a letter of recommendation. You are not to use student requests for recommendations as a platform to discuss your personal political beliefs."

According to information obtained through a FOIA request, the Detroit News reported that Cheney-Lippold  

will not get a merit raise during the 2018-19 academic year and can't go on his upcoming sabbatical in January or another sabbatical for two years...  He could also face additional discipline, up to and including dismissal, if a similar incident occurs in the future.

Since then, it has been reported that Lucy Peterson, a graduate student instructor at  the university  also denied a student a letter of recommendation for study in Israel.

The Hypocrisy of University of Michigan Professor John Cheney-Lippold

This is yet another example of how BDS is anti-peace, and how it hurts Jewish students and pro-Israel students on campus.  BDS seeks to actively prevent students from learning about the conflict first hand.  By stifling opportunities to engage, it limits academic discussion and academic freedom.

Via Club Z:

Abigail, a student at the University of Michigan, asked her Professor, John Cheney-Lippold for a letter of recommendation for her study abroad trip to Israel. Cheney-Lippold agreed initially, then rescinded his original offer, citing the academic boycott of Israel.

Tilly Shames, executive director of the University of Michigan Hillel, sent out this email:

You may be aware of the issue regarding a University professor's refusal to offer a letter of recommendation to a student applying to an Israeli university. Our Hillel has been actively engaged on this issue with the Provost's Office and other University leadership. Like many of you, we expect to hear the University strongly condemn this action and uphold the academic values of the institution by supporting all of our students' rights to the education they choose. This professor's decision is antithetical to the academic values of our University. A professor's political views should not factor into any student's access to learn, including studying in Israel.

We appreciate the University's serious attention to this matter at its highest levels, and support for the student involved. For us, the bottom line is our students and their campus experience. We are making ourselves available to our students as a supportive resource, and are actively engaging with our student leaders on how best to advocate and educate on this issue among our campus community.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to be in touch. Thank you, as always, for your support. 

She was likely disappointed by thie University of Michigan's tepid response

Statement from the  Public Affairs and Internal Communications  University of Michigan statement  Sept. 17, 2018

The University of Michigan has consistently opposed any boycott of Israeli institutions of higher education.

That position has been stated publicly by university leaders, including this statement from the president and provost in 2013 and this statement from members of the university’s governing Board of Regents in 2017.

No academic department or any other unit at the University of Michigan has taken a position that departs from this long-held university position.

There also is no doubt that members of our campus community have a wide range of individual opinions on this topic and many other topics.

The academic goals of our students are of paramount importance. It is the university’s position to take all steps necessary to make sure our students are supported.

It is disappointing that a faculty member would allow their personal political beliefs to limit the support they are willing to otherwise provide for our students.

We will engage our faculty colleagues in deep discussions to clarify how the expression of our shared values plays out in support of all students.

It is not readily apparent from the University's public statement if there will be any disciplinary action taken against  Prof. Cheney-Lippold

For more information see: 

University of Michigan ‘Disappointed’ After Professor Refuses to Write Recommendation Letter for Student Studying Abroad in Israel

Citing BDS, professor refuses to write reference for student to study in Israel

Professor Refuses to Write Letter For Student Wanting To Study Abroad in Israel

Pssst, Professor Cheney-Lippold.  Apple's second largest research and development facility in the world is in Herzilya, Israel.  Shouldn't you be boycotting Apple, too?

John Cheney-Lippold on transcoding the body into the body politic. #DataPowerConf pic.twitter.com/uqqphJrhGy

— Andrew Iliadis 🐞 (@andrewiliadis) June 22, 2017

UPDATE:

Remarks by U-M President Mark Schlissel
Sept. 20, 2018

I want to take a moment to address the recent situation in which a faculty member refused to provide a previously promised letter of recommendation for a student because she was seeking to study abroad in Israel – and to reiterate that this view is not the position of the University of Michigan, nor does it reflect the position of any department or unit on our campus.

I will state again: The University of Michigan strongly opposes a boycott of Israeli academic institutions.

The academic aspirations of our students – and their academic freedom – are fundamental to the University of Michigan, and our teaching and research missions.

We are committed as an institution to support our students’ academic growth.

We are a large and diverse public university, and the individual opinions of our community range widely on many issues. But personal views and politics should never interfere with our support of students. It is counter to our values and expectations as an institution.

The Regents, Executive Officers and I have been deeply engaged in this matter. We will be taking appropriate steps to address this issue and the broader questions it has raised. 

Israel wins Eurovision.

Israel's very own Netta Barzilai  has won the Eurovision song competition, garnering 529 points.

Her quirky song, "Toy", an ode to the #MeToo movement had caught the attention of the world audience early in the competition, and was watched and downloaded  over 26 million times.




Israel haters and other BDS holes are sitting quietly in their mother's basements, rocking gently and  muttering softly to themselves.

Netta graciously accepted the honor, saying

 "I'm so happy, thank you so much for choosing difference. Thank you so much for accepting differences between us.  Thank you for celebrating diversity. Thank you. I love my country. Next time in Jerusalem."

They are dancing in the streets in Israel.

California Democrats for Peace and Justice

There is a new group on the scene, California Democrats for Peace and Justice,  who describe themselves as "Pro-Israel, Pro-Palestinian and pro-Engagement".

They've been compiling information on the California candidates stance on the Boycotts, Development and Sanctions movement against Israel. Its an important resource for voters.

In the race for California Attorney General:

Attorney General Becerra 

In the Race for Lieutenant Governor:

Jeff Bleich 

Eleni Kounalakis

Dr. Ed Hernandez, O.D.

In the race for California Governor:

Gavin Newsom 

 John Chiang 

Antonio R. Villaraigosa

 Delaine Eastin 

We will update as more information becomes available.  And check out and "like' the California Democrats for Peace and Justice Facebook page

New Orleans confimed as a BDS hoax

The BDS holes were doing their victory lap within minutes of the decision.

The New Orleans Palestinian Solidarity Committee  blasted out "We won" on their facebook page. 

 Anna Baltzer of the US Campaign for Palestinian rights also spread the story, writting:

As you may have read in The Intercept, the New Orleans City Council made history last week by unanimously passing a resolution calling for a process to avoid contracting with or investing in companies that profit from abuses of human rights, civil rights, labor rights, and other violations.

The resolution was spearheaded by USCPR member group New Orleans Palestine Solidarity Committee (NOPSC). It is an important step toward implementing boycott, divestment, sanctions (BDS) in New Orleans to hold Israel accountable for its violations of Palestinian rights, and to stand with other communities struggling for their rights.

The resolution was introduced by the New Orleans Mayor-elect and Councilmember, Latoya Cantrell, following an inspiring, year-long campaign by NOPSC. This is among the strongest municipal wins to date, encompassing both boycotts and divestment, and is the first of its kind in the South. 

It was an interesting and overblown reaction from a resolution that didn't even mention Israel or the Palestinian territories.

Can you say "BDS hoax"?  I think you can.

The New Orleans City Council realized quickly that they had been duped.

From WWLTV:

Members of the New Orleans City Council say they want a do-over after learning they inadvertently stumbled into an international controversy last week.

The council voted 5-0 last Thursday to plan a review of the city’s contracts and investments to ensure that none of them support companies or entities that have violated human, civil or labor rights around the world.

But after belatedly realizing the resolution was part of an international movement to boycott Israel, City Council President Jason Williams and other council members say they will move to reconsider it at their next council meeting.

Speaking to the Advocate, Williams stated

“Let me be very clear to citizens of New Orleans and citizens of the world — this City Council is not anti-Israel. That sentiment is inconsistent with the council's actions and certainly mine personally.... " He said it was a mistake for the council to introduce and vote on the unadvertised measure at the end of a nearly six-hour meeting, as doing so did not give people enough time to voice their opinions.

Note to the BDS movement: If you need to lie about your motives and your intentions to push your agenda, your claim to stand for social justice and civil rights rings hollow.

New Orleans City Council refuses to single out Israel. BDS fail

When is a BDS fail spun as a BDS success?  All too often. 

The New Orleans City Council has just rejected a one sided and biased divestment resolution condemning Israel in favor of a wide reaching statement for human rights.  That doesn't stop the BDS holes from claiming victory.

The actual text of the resolution makes no mention of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict at all, and makes it quite clear that New Orleans rejects discrimination by national origin

The original petition by the New Orleans Palestinian Solidarity Committee, to be delivered to the New Orleans City Council  looked quite different.  The truth optional petition was signed by only 305 people and  proclaimed the usual laundry list of scurrilous claims against Israel: 

"The City of New Orleans should use the full extent of the law to seek competitive suppliers of goods and services who do not have investments, licenses or operations in Israel.

New Orleans is a social justice city that should no longer support segregation or racism. With your support, we can make New Orleans an Apartheid-Free City.

We must remove all products and divest from all companies directly supporting the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine. 

Israel illegally confiscates privately owned Palestinian property; imprisons Palestinian citizens for years without charge; and uses checkpoints to restrict the movement of Palestinians, even during childbirths and medical emergencies.

In Gaza, the situation is even worse because citizens are denied access to food and medicine due to the Israeli-imposed blockade. The infrastructure also has not been rebuilt since the 51-day assault on Gaza in 2014, Operation Protective Edge, which killed nearly 1,500 civilians.

Since its recognition as a state in 1949, Israel has violated over 30 United Nations Security Council resolution, which are legally binding.

In 2015, the United States gave Israel $10.2 million a day in military aid alone. That means that last year the US spent nearly $4 billion on Israel’s military. This funding, provided by American taxpayers, allows the military to maintain it’s illegal occupation of Palestine, carry out military assaults on Gaza, and use military grade weaponry to “police” Palestinian territory.

The city council has the opportunity to make known their grave concern regarding Israel’s official system of segregation and repression of non-white Jewish Israeli citizens, Israeli citizens of Palestinian descent, and Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza. New Orleans should no longer be party to contracts, licenses, or investments with the apartheid state of Israel. Consumer goods contributing to the illegal Israeli occupation must also be banned."

BDS is a discredited tactic from a discredited movement, desperate for success  and perfectly willing to lie.    The New Orleans City Council wasn't fooled  by them.  You shouldn't be either.

UPDATE

The Jewish Community of New Orleans clearly disagrees with my interpretation, and has issued this statement

Statement on NOLA City Council's Resolution R-18-5

The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans (Jewish Federation) expresses its deep disappointment in the New Orleans City Council’s adoption today of resolution R-18-5. Since its creation 105 years ago, the Jewish Federation has always stood for supporting human rights and combating racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and other injustices. However, in a patently undemocratic and unfair procedural move, today’s resolution was passed without any public knowledge, six hours into the Council’s session and after the suspension of rules to add this untimely resolution to the agenda, and without the opportunity for dissenting voices to be heard for a broader discussion. These stealth tactics divide communities and do not provide for an equitable forum whereby all voices can be heard.

Just hours earlier, in the Council chambers, the Jewish Federation presented to the City Council about the contributions of the Jewish Federation and the impact of our Jewish communal organizations throughout the greater New Orleans area. While the Jewish Federation fully supports the values of human rights expressed in the resolution, we are deeply concerned about its unintended consequences relating to Israel and in bolstering the divisive BDS movement. The BDS movement, which has inherently anti-Semitic components, is designed to challenge Israel's economic viability and very right to exist.

We look forward to working with the current Council, the newly-elected Council Members, the Mayor-elect, and the public to address these concerns, to further educate our civic leaders, to ensure all voices are heard, and to avoid a potential chilling effect on both discourse and the growth and economic development of the greater New Orleans area.