At least 55 American universities and colleges have rejected the American Studies Association membership vote in favor of an academic boycott of Israel.

Boycott Israel sign (illustration) – Photo: Dreamstime

The number was tracked by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Afghan protesters set fire to representations of U.S. and Israel flags as they shout slogans during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Jalalabad November 26, 2012. – Photo: Reuters

“This remarkable response is a clear declaration that American academia will not be party to the efforts to promote the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement,” Robert Sugarman, its chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, its executive vice chairman, said in a statement.

The Conference of Presidents said it wrote to each of the institutional members of the ASA outlining why the boycott call is an unjustifiable and blatantly discriminatory act.

Protesters shout anti-Israel slogans during a protest against Israel’s military operation in Gaza, after Friday prayers in Istanbul, November 16, 2012.- Photo: Reuters

“The response is very encouraging and we are grateful that so many took the time during a holiday week to respond,” the group’s leaders said. “We continue to urge the rest of the members to speak out against the action and to disassociate from supporting the ASA.”

Two-thirds of the 1,252 ASA members who voted approved the boycott, according to an ASA announcement on Dec. 16, a day after the deadline for online voting. At the time of the vote, there were 3,853 eligible voters, meaning one-third of the ASA membership participated.

An anti-Israel protester at Dublin Airport, Ireland, June, 7, 2010. – Photo: AP

Four universities withdrew their membership in the wake of the vote: Brandeis University, Indiana University, Kenyon College and Penn State Harrisburg.

Earlier this year, the Association for Asian American Studies announced it would mount an academic boycott of Israel. On Dec. 15, the Native American Studies Association urged its members to boycott Israeli educational institutions. The Modern Language Association next month will debate an academic boycott of Israel.

View original HAARETZ publication at: http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.566247