New York bill to punish ASA over Israel boycott picks up 48 supporters
A New York bill to cut off state funding to the American Studies Association over its Israel boycott has the support of 48 lawmakers. That means that Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who authored the bill, is just 28 members short of garnering a majority of the state assembly to back the legislation targeting the ASA. The legislation would prohibit colleges from giving funds to the ASA or other academic groups that have supported a boycott of universities in countries that host schools given credentials by New York state. If the bill passes, colleges would not be eligible for state aid during the academic year if they violate the legislation. Practically, it would mean that university funds given to students and faculty to travel to ASA events would be cut off.