From the Archives | The Olympic Boycott—Then
In 1980, we wrote about the fight to boycott the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin—and why the protest ultimately didn’t come to pass.
29
Jul
10
Sep
How Far Have We Fallen if Left-Wing Groups Are Calling to Boycott the ADL?
Moment’s Anti-Semitism Monitor saw something new in August: over 100 left-wing groups in the U.S. made a disturbing call to boycott the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
Like any NGO, the ADL has its critics, but until very recently, few would have disputed the organization’s commitment to fighting for civil rights and against all manifestations of bigotry. But in early August, a coalition of leftist NGOs, including the American Friends Service Committee, Democratic Socialists of America, Jewish Voice for Peace, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Movement for Black Lives, instituted a campaign called “Drop the ADL” to boycott the Anti-Defamation League and its programs.
The coalition issued a primer titled “The ADL is not an Ally” to justify the boycott. Unfortunately, it reads like the anti-Zionist agitprop the Soviet leadership...
03
Feb
The Hypocrisy of Boycotting
by Daniel Hoffman
Many European and American students are familiar with academic boycotts of Israel, campaigns which emerged in the United Kingdom in the midst of the second Intifada and resurface from time to time on campuses when an “Israeli topic” is debated. These are occasions for pro-Palestinian activists to demonstrate and ask for relations with Israeli universities to be banned.
Recently, two events in France have reinvigorated these old and passionate debates. The first episode was the cancellation of French pop singer Vanessa Paradis’ concert in Tel Aviv, probably a result of political pressures (though her agent claimed it was for professional reasons). Similar cases have happened in the past with other Western artists, such as Elvis Costello and Gorillaz.
The second event took place in one of France’s most prestigious universities, the Ecole Normale...
19
Nov
The Narrow Line Between Expression and Insult
By Merav Levkowitz
A number of Israeli artists have signed a letter proposing to boycott a cultural center set to open shortly in Ariel, a Jewish settlement beyond the Green Line. The boycott has sparked much controversy among the artist community and in Knesset. Some Knesset members have expressed disappointment with these Israeli artists who have received government funding and have used their public platform to criticize and, in some cases, de-legitimize Israel. Members like Yariv Levin and Culture and Sports Minister Limor Livnat have recommended that restrictions be extended to government-funded artists and cultural institutions.
This tense situation brings forth a variety of important issues. On one hand, the outrage of some Knesset members towards these government-funded artists makes perfect sense. A venture capitalist who supports a fledging start-up would not be pleased to find the...