A Nov. 20 ad in the New York Times hat highlights the achievements of Israeli universities targeted by the American Studies Association boycott of Israel. Photo: Provided photo.

JNS.org – In an advertisement appearing in the New York Times on Dec. 20, the American arms of seven Israeli universities said that the American Studies Association’s (ASA) boycott of Israel targets an academic community that”achieves breakthroughs that benefit humankind.”

“Preventing scholars who live in a pluralistic democracy from participating in the global academic community is reprehensible,” the ad said.

The ad noted achievements of Israeli universities including: Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s development of the Exelon drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and dementia; Tel Aviv University’s development of BioPetroClean, an environmentally friendly technology for cleaning oil spills in seas; Technion-Israel Institute of Technology’s development of Velcade, an new cancer drug; University of Haifa’s identification of the gene capable of increasing the protein content of wheat, contributing to the fight against world hunger; the Weizmann Institute of Science’s development of the multiple sclerosis drugs, Copaxone and Rebif; and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev’s work towards developing a cure for diabetes. The Open University of Israel, meanwhile, “makes it possible for all Israelis from all walks of life to achieve their full potential through higher education,” said the ad.