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2mo ago

University of California Bars Student Governments and Official Entities From Israeli Boycotts

Michael Drake said the policy is required to secure federal research funding now tied to pledges not to boycott Israel.

Los Angeles, CA – September 08: Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents apprehend an an illegal immigrant with criminal record, in an early morning raid at home on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022 in Los Angeles, CA. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
At UC Berkeley, the group Students Supporting Israel interrupted a walk-out in support of Gaza and Lebanon by faculty, staff and students in October.
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Pro-Palestinian demonstrators held T-shirts encouraging UC Berkeley to divest from Israel during commencement at Memorial Stadium in May 2024.

Overview

  • Drake’s letter to chancellors formalizes a systemwide ban on country-based financial boycotts by authorized student governments and university entities.
  • Federal research agencies have added conditions to HHS and NSF grants that require recipients to certify they will not engage in Israel boycotts to protect billions in campus funding.
  • Registered student clubs remain exempt from the ban and retain autonomy over their political positions and financial decisions.
  • The directive arrives as a presidential antisemitism task force investigates UC for alleged discrimination and warns of potential funding cuts under civil rights statutes.
  • The ban relies on existing university rules mandating competitive bidding and sound business practices to prohibit boycotts of companies linked to any nation.