“It’s Safer to Say Nothing”: An Analysis of the Ongoing Influence of the Israel Lobby Amid the Rise of the BDS Movement and Academic Dissent on College Campuses

Abstract

This thesis offers the most current analysis of the ongoing influence of the Israel Lobby in American politics amid the rise of the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. It analyzes the self-censoring mechanisms faced by academics in the U.S. who engage in scholarship and activism which is perceived as critical of Israel. Through this analysis, the thesis makes three central claims. First, the Israel Lobby—led by the American Israel Political Affairs Committee (AIPAC)—has maintained strong bipartisan support for its pro-Israel policies among American politicians by maintaining close relationships with leaders from both parties while actively opposing candidates and politicians who resist its influence. Secondly, this thesis claims that the success of the BDS movement on college campuses has resulted in the weaponization of accusations of antisemitism. These accusations cause social and professional repercussions for the activists involved in these campaigns. Thirdly, this thesis claims that academics in the U.S. who engage in activism and scholarship perceived as critical of Israel are targeted and penalized for their actions. This causes academics to engage in self-censoring practices to protect their academic careers. This self-censoring is driven by the recent decline of tenure as a mechanism of institutional protection for academics. Based on this analysis, the thesis presents two key conclusions. First, a new definition of antisemitism—called the Jerusalem Declaration—must be adopted to protect and address the valid protest demands of the BDS movement. Secondly, academics in the U.S. must be guaranteed institutional protection at their academic institution in order to engage in critical scholarly debate regarding Israel. Without both of these changes, the uncritical pro-Israel orthodoxy in the United States is doomed to persist.