Full access
Professional News
Published Online: 17 January 2014

APA Responds to Academic Boycott of Israel

Publication: Psychiatric News
Volume 49, Number 2
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2014.1b12
PDF/EPUB
“Free exchange of scientific ideas” moves APA to reiterate its position against boycotts and other actions targeting institutions of higher learning and scientists, academics, and researchers based on political policy.
APA has reasserted its commitment to academic freedom and free intellectual exchange in response to a recent vote by the American Studies Association (ASA) to boycott Israeli academic institutions.
According to statements by APA, “The field of psychiatry depends on the free exchange of scientific ideas and discoveries independent of any interference from politically or ideologically motivated groups or movements.” Moreover, “any attack on institutions of higher learning and individual scientists, academics, and researchers based on political policy halts academic freedoms and negatively affects the vital role research plays for our patients and profession.”
The boycott was intended as a signal of opposition to Israel’s policies toward Palestinians and as an expression of support for Palestinian scholars and students, according to the ASA. About 66 percent of the 1,252 voters who cast ballots (out of 3,853 eligible members) voted in favor of the resolution.
Actual effects of the boycott beyond the symbolic are unclear. A statement by the ASA’s National Council said the boycott would be “limited to a refusal on the part of the association in its official capacities to enter into formal collaborations with Israeli academic institutions,” or their representatives.
“The resolution does not apply to individual Israeli scholars engaged in ordinary forms of academic exchange, including conference presentations, public lectures at campuses, or collaboration on research and publication,” continued the statement.
In 2006, APA’s Assembly and then Board of Trustees voted to condemn a similar policy adopted by an organization of academics in Great Britain (Psychiatric News, March 16, 2007).
The American Association of University Professors, the country’s largest academic professional organization, has opposed the ASA boycott. In addition, as of late last month, 29 U.S. universities had signaled their opposition to the boycott. Included on that list are many of the country’s leading research institutions. Several universities have announced that they plan to withdraw from the ASA. ■
For information on APA prior action on a boycott, see http://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/newsarticle.aspx?articleid=110789.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric News
Psychiatric News
Volume 49 • Number 2 • January 4, 2014 – January 17, 2014
Pages: 1

History

Published online: 17 January 2014
Published in print: January 4, 2014 – January 17, 2014

Keywords

  1. Israel
  2. boycott
  3. American Studies Association
  4. APA
  5. Palestinians
  6. academic freedom
  7. American Association of University Professors

Authors

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format
Citation style
Style
Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

There are no citations for this item

View Options

View options

PDF/ePub

View PDF/ePub

Get Access

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share article link

Share

×

As described within the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.