Statement by Rockefeller University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne opposing academic boycotts

Three U.S. scholarly associations have announced their intention to support a proposed boycott of academic institutions in Israel. Such academic boycotts contradict a core principle of academic freedom by restricting free and open communication within the academic community.

The key principles have been well articulated by the Executive Committee of the Association of American Universities in its statement opposing the proposed boycott: “Efforts to address political issues, or to address restrictions on academic freedom, should not themselves infringe upon academic freedom. Restrictions imposed on the ability of scholars of any particular country to work with their fellow academics in other countries, participate in meetings and organizations, or otherwise carry out their scholarly activities violate academic freedom.”