American Anthropological Association votes to boycott Israeli academic institutions

The American Anthropological Association (AAA), the world's largest organization of anthropologists, founded in 1902 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, has announced its decision to boycott Israeli academic institutions in a statement on Monday.

The AAA, which represents over 10,000 anthropologists worldwide, made these decisions after conducting an electronic ballot between June 15 and July 14. Of its eligible members, 37% participated in the vote. Of these, 71% supported the resolution for the boycott.

AAA President Ramona Pérez commented on the decision, emphasizing that it was reached following the organization's set procedures and reflects the collective choice of its members. She further clarified that the boycott specifically targets Israeli academic institutions and not individual scholars or students affiliated with these institutions.

The boycott entails various restrictions on formal collaborations with Israeli academic institutions, such as limiting their participation in AAA's publications, conferences, and other academic platforms. However, individuals affiliated with Israeli institutions still retain certain privileges, including attending AAA conferences and publishing in AAA journals.

The criteria for potentially lifting the boycott in the future involve evaluating Israeli academic institutions' roles in relation to Palestinian rights. The AAA Executive Board will monitor and assess the situation at regular intervals, at least every five years.

In her statement, Pérez expressed hope that the decision would raise awareness about the dynamics of the region and contribute to the dialogue on critical human rights and academic freedom issues. As the resolution unfolds, the AAA anticipates continued discussions on its implications for academic collaborations and the broader anthropological community.