CAFMENA is a body that frequently addresses important issues, in particular infringements on crucial academic freedom, without which the university would only be an echo chamber of prevailing ideas and biases in society. Two recent cases merit attention, one is the ill-advised effort of a British academic association to sanction Israeli institutions, and the other is effort by the New York City Chancellor of public schools to quiet responsible opinions with which he disagrees. Sadly, the Mayor of New York has refused to step into the fray and has permitted the Chancellor's diktat to prevail.
It is too early to tell how the British case will develop, but given the groundswell of criticism it would be surprising if the boycott stands. More details on either case are in the letters than may be found at the link.
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