Queering Anti-Zionism: Academic Freedom, LGBTQ Intellectuals, and Israel/Palestine Campus Activism

Corinne Blackmer's book critiques scholars who have an anti-Israel bias, particularly in gender and sexuality studies programs. She argues that the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement has become a central part of social justice advocacy on campus, and that LGBTQ intellectuals mobilize queer theory and intersectionality to support the BDS movement at the expense of academic freedom and open discourse.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 08 November 2022
Publisher: Wayne State University Press

Queer scholar-activist Corinne Blackmer takes a bold stance in the field of Israel/Palestine studies, challenging scholars who exhibit anti-Israel bias in their activism and academic work. Through her engaged scholarship, Blackmer highlights the pervasive influence of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which aims to delegitimize and isolate Israel. She demonstrates how this movement has gained significant traction on college campuses, particularly within gender and sexuality studies programs.

The chapters in the book delve into the intellectual contributions of Sarah Schulman, Jasbir Puar, Angela Davis, Dean Spade, and Judith Butler. Blackmer critically examines how these scholars misuse critical theory in their discussions of the State of Israel. She exposes how these LGBTQ intellectuals leverage queer theory and intersectionality to support the BDS movement, often at the expense of academic freedom and open discourse.

Blackmer's critique is thought-provoking and sheds light on the complex dynamics between academia, activism, and political ideologies. She challenges readers to consider the implications of promoting BDS on college campuses and emphasizes the importance of promoting nuanced and balanced perspectives in the study of Israel/Palestine. This book is a valuable resource for scholars, activists, and anyone interested in understanding the complex relationship between LGBTQ identities, critical theory, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Weight: 363g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780814349984