(CNN) -- In a historic decision this week, the American Studies Association voted to boycott Israeli academic institutions, endorsing Palestinian civil society's call for boycotts, divestments and sanctions against Israel until it complies with international law and ends abuses against Palestinian human rights. The decision by the American Studies Association, a group of academics involved in the study of U.S. culture and history, to boycott collaborations with institutions is important. The ASA is one of the first major U.S. academic groups to take this step, and it sends a strong message to Israeli intellectuals and elites that their nation's policies will lead only to international isolation.
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American Studies Association voted to boycott Israeli academic institutions
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Yousef Munayyer: Good news for boycott, divestment and sanctions movement
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Munayyer: Like South Africa did, Israel practices apartheid; Palestinians are denied rights
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He says arguments against boycotting S. African regime are used against boycotting Israel
It's a system of unjust laws enforced by the gun to restrict the human rights of one group -- Palestinians -- with the aim of keeping political power in the hands of another demographic group -- @placeholder Jews.
As in the case of @placeholder, a native, stateless population was pitted against a highly industrialized and militarized state that had the backing of Western powers, and it led to bloody repression of Palestinians.
The Israelis use their position as the stronger party, backed by the @placeholder, to impose their will on the Palestinians.