Opposition, at least on this side of the Atlantic, continues to build to the boycott of Israel being mulled by the University and College Union (UCU) of the United Kingdom. A resolution condemning the boycott of Israeli academic institutions passed out of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, which means it is likely to head to the House floor for a vote.

Pennsylvania Democrat Patrick Murphy is chief sponsor of the bill, which "urges governments and educators throughout the world to reaffirm the importance of academic freedom and open dialogue." The resolution has the bipartisan support of more than 65 members of Congress from across America and both political parties. NJ cosponsors include Republicans Mike Ferguson, Frank LoBiondo, Christopher Smith, and Rodney Frelinghuysen, and Democrats Rush Holt, Frank Pallone, Steve Rothman, and Albio Sires.

The resolution gets it right not only in exposing the gross bias in play, but by placing the calls for a boycott in the context of academic freedom. It points out with painful obviousness that "these and any other attempts to stifle intellectual freedom through the imposition of an academic boycott are counterproductive since research and academic exchange provide an essential bridge between otherwise disconnected cultures and countries."

A resolution like this is certainly "pro-Israel," but it would be mistaken to consider it only pro-Israel. That plays into the hands of the boycotters, who want to divide the world into those who support Israel and those who oppose her. To recognize the existence of a sovereign country and its right to normalization in the world of commerce and ideas is not "support" — it is recognition of reality. Israel's supporters should be grateful to those who stand up for this reality. That's all they ever asked for.