IV 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 318 
Condemning resolutions or policies calling for or instituting a boycott of 
Israeli academic institutions or scholars by institutions of higher learning 
and scholarly associations. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 16, 2015 
Mr. CURBELO of Florida (for himself, Ms. BONAMICI, Ms. STEFANIK, Mr. 
BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania, Mr. LAMBORN, and Mr. HIGGINS) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on Education and the Workforce 
RESOLUTION 
Condemning resolutions or policies calling for or instituting 
a boycott of Israeli academic institutions or scholars 
by institutions of higher learning and scholarly associa-
tions. 
Whereas the United States and the State of Israel enjoy an 
affinity and a strategic partnership based on shared 
democratic values, friendship, and respect; 
Whereas the President signed the United States-Israel Stra-
tegic Partnership Act, declaring Israel to be a Major 
Strategic Partner of the United States; 
Whereas Israel’s institutions of higher education have played 
a crucial role in the significant global contributions made 
by the Jewish state in the fields of science, medicine, and 
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•HRES 318 IH 
technology, as well as safeguarded principles of academic 
freedom in providing a forum for the presentation and 
debate of political and philosophical ideas, including dis-
course that both supports and opposes the policies of 
Israel’s Government; 
Whereas academic exchanges between Israeli institutions of 
higher education and institutions of higher education in 
the United States and around the world redound to the 
greater benefit of those institutions and the societies of 
which they are a part through exchange of ideas, sharing 
of expertise, and providing exposure to diverse perspec-
tives and experiences; 
Whereas the BDS (Boycott Divestment Sanctions) movement 
unfairly and misleadingly singles Israel out for criticism 
and economic pressure, and disregards the moral and 
legal responsibility of other parties to the Israeli-Pales-
tinian conflict; 
Whereas the BDS movement seeks to draw institutions of 
higher learning and scholarly associations into its dam-
aging ambit by pressing for adoption by such institutions 
and associations of resolutions or policies that formally 
call for or establish the restriction of discourse, coopera-
tion, exchange, or any other involvement with Israeli aca-
demic institutions and scholars; 
Whereas resolutions or policies that would limit the freedom 
to teach, do research in, or otherwise cooperate with aca-
demic institutions or scholars from particular countries 
or regions are themselves contrary to principles of aca-
demic freedom; and 
Whereas the particular calls directed at boycott of Israeli aca-
demic institutions and scholars are part of a campaign 
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•HRES 318 IH 
that hinders the possibility of achieving a fair and just 
solution and a peaceful settlement to the Israeli-Pales-
tinian conflict, and applies a double-standard to Israel by 
singling Israel out for boycott while ignoring the myriad 
of nation-states whose human rights records fall well 
short of Israel’s: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) condemns as contrary to principles of aca-
demic freedom the adoption by any institution of 
higher education or scholarly association of a resolu-
tion or policy that formally calls for or establishes 
the restriction of discourse, cooperation, exchange, 
or any other involvement with academic institutions 
or scholars on the basis of the connection of such in-
stitutions or such scholars to the State of Israel; 
(2) condemns any such resolution or policy by 
any institution of higher education or scholarly asso-
ciation as part of a campaign to hinder the possi-
bility of achieving a fair and just solution and a 
peaceful settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian con-
flict; 
(3) praises the university presidents and insti-
tutions that have opposed academic boycott and 
have shown dedication to the free and open exchange 
of ideas; and 
(4) encourages institutions of higher education, 
both in the United States and abroad, to enhance 
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•HRES 318 IH 
and accelerate their engagement in academic ex-
changes with counterpart Israeli institutions, includ-
ing through missions, exchanges of visiting profes-
sors, and joint research, and educational programs. 
Æ 
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