Academic Boycott of Israeli Occupation is one of the branches of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement advocating for Palestinian rights. However, it has not gained enough popularity compared to other forms of boycott, despite its importance and challenge to Israeli dominance and imperialism in academic spaces.
This expansion of Israeli “soft power” has become significant, especially after the recent Israeli war on Gaza. It has surprised the cultural world with unethical statements from academics and intellectuals such as the German sociologist Juergen Habermas. Additionally, Israeli lobbying has pressured several prestigious university presidents to resign due to their opposition to Israeli aggression in Gaza.
Professor Nick Rimer, a leading lecturer in the English Language Department at the University of Sydney and a supporter of the Palestinian cause, has written a set of important academic papers, most notably his latest book titled “Boycott Theory and Struggle for Palestine… Universities, Culture, and Liberation.” In this book, Rimer advocates for the academic boycott of Israel, emphasizing the necessity to support the boycott against Israel due to the unprecedented atrocities committed by the Israeli occupation, supported by the West.
Rimer’s book challenges Israeli dominance within Western universities, as they use various forms of “soft power” to maintain their influence, organize joint activities, and fund academic events to gain sympathy from a wide range of Western university professors.
In his book, Rimer explains the reasons for the academic boycott campaign against Israel, especially within universities. He emphasizes that the academic boycott challenges Israeli dominance, calling for universities and academics to cut ties with Israeli universities. This is vital as these universities represent the Israeli authority and support the occupation against Palestinians.
Rimer also discusses the challenges faced by the academic boycott campaign, particularly the fears of intellectuals who believe that boycott could lead to academic harassment due to pressure from the Israeli lobby entrenched in Western universities.
Furthermore, he addresses the strategic approach of not engaging in lectures, conferences, and official collaborations with Israeli universities. Rimer clarifies that the boycott targets the official activities organized or funded by Israeli universities or cultural institutions. He emphasizes that boycotting Israeli universities is crucial as they represent the Israeli authority supporting occupation and are directly involved in committing war crimes and human rights abuses against Palestinians.
Regarding the question of boycotting Israeli academics, Rimer argues that it is crucial to differentiate between individual academic responsibility and institutional responsibility. He asserts that boycotting Israeli universities and their leadership, including academic deans and university presidents, is essential as they are directly involved and complicit in Israeli war crimes and human rights violations against Palestinians.
Rimer also highlights the importance of economic boycott in causing damage to Israeli dominance, emphasizing the significance of consumer boycotts in pressuring major economic forces supporting Israel.
Moreover, he mentions the exploitation of complexity by defenders of Israel to obfuscate the discussion on boycott. The narrative of complexity is used to downplay the clear and undeniable atrocities committed by Israel, attempting to present the Palestinian situation as more convoluted than it really is.
In conclusion, Rimer advocates for a comprehensive and strategic approach to boycott, emphasizing the need for solidarity with the Palestinian call for boycott, which includes active engagement in the boycott struggle against those who support Israel. It is crucial to challenge Israeli dominance and maintain pressure through various forms of boycott.
