Ilana Feldman - Courtesy on the Arab Center in Washington D.C.
Ilana Feldman is a self-hating Jewish academic, the Vice Dean at the Elliott School of International Affairs and a Professor of Anthropology, History, and International Affairs at George Washington University (GW).
Being a classic “As A Jew” useful idiot, she is also a fervent supporter of the antisemitic Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and has a record of downplaying terrorism, delegitimizing the State of Israel, and advocating to suspend academic ties with Jewish institutions.
As a member of the American Anthropological Association (AAA), Feldman unsuccessfully lobbied for an AAA boycott of Israeli academic institutions. In 2015, Feldman co-submitted a BDS resolution to the AAA, falsely accusing Israel of "ethnic cleansing" and condemning “Israel’s colonization of Palestine." The resolution also falsely claimed that “anthropological frameworks and methods, ethnographic and archaeological, are actively used by Israel to further occupation and colonization."
On April 21, 2016 Feldman posted to Facebook a photo of herself holding a sign supporting the resolution, stating: “I voted for #ANTHROBOYCOTT The most effective way for the AAA to support Palestinian rights." She commented in the post: “AAA boycott supporters! Please take a photo of yourself holding a sign saying why you voted in favor and tag with #anthroboycott!"
Ilana Feldman April 2016- “As A Jew” useful idiot
On June 7, 2016, AAA announced the BDS resolution failed.
On May 8, 2018 Ilana Feldman participated in the Arab Center of Washington DC (ACW) discussion about the Nakba, mourning the inability of six regular Arab armies to concur the State of Israel and kill all its Jewish residents.
Feldman's deliberate blur of activism and blunt antisemitism has prompted serious concerns. She is the perfect example of a scholar-activist who has now been given authority by GW to extend her own sphere of antisemitic influence beyond the classroom.
A few weeks ago, GW appointed Feldman as an Interim Dean of GW's Elliott School of International Affairs (ESIA). Her new position drew immediate outrage from various organizations including GW Students for Israel who launched a petition, which was signed by thousands, urging GW to reconsider the appointment and select a better-suited candidate for the permanent dean of ESIA.
GW's leadership immediately responded to the petition, stating they have heard the concerns about Ilana Feldman and will ensure she follow's GW's policy of not supporting/advocating for the BDS movement. GW also noted that Feldman will not be eligible for the permanent Dean position.
While GW's statement does have its shortcomings, we applaud GW for not putting up with antisemitic rhetoric being used to manipulate to young, impressionable minds.
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