The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) salutes the membership of the American Historical Association (AHA) and the Modern Language Association (MLA) who continue to overwhelmingly stand for Palestinian rights.
The AHA and MLA voted by 79% in favor of a joint resolution condemning repression in the US and the silencing of academic dissent against the ongoing “US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza,” which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.
The AHA also voted by 78% for a resolution condemning Israel’s scholasticide in Gaza and to establish a committee that “in cooperation with universities in Gaza and their representative bodies, will support efforts to ensure the survival and rebuilding of Palestinian higher education.”
In a shameful and anti-democratic move, the AHA Council stepped in to veto both resolutions, and not for the first time.
Last year this time, the 16-member AHA Council vetoed a similar motion condemning Israel’s scholasticide, well documented by United Nations experts and major human rights organizations, despite the overwhelming majority voting in favor.
Also last year, the MLA Executive Council denied its membership to even vote on a motion condemning Israel’s scholasticide and calling to uphold MLA’s commitment to “justice throughout the humanities ecosystem” by “ending institutional complicity with genocide” through support for the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Eight former MLA presidents condemned the blocked vote.
We thank those who have worked tirelessly to push two of the largest academic associations in the humanities over to the right side of history. The AHA and MLA have instead continued to shield Israel from accountability over its ongoing genocide and 77-year apartheid regime oppressing millions of Palestinians.
We have no doubt that this work will continue until both the AHA and MLA respect their own membership and its support for the Palestinian struggle for freedom, justice and equality.