University of Michigan officials have criticized a professor's decision not to recommend a student for a study program in Israel.
The school said in a statement Tuesday it opposes boycotts of Israeli higher education institutions. It adds "injecting personal politics" in decisions related to supporting students "is counter to our values."
Professor John Cheney-Lippold initially said he couldn't write a recommendation letter for junior Abigail Ingber because of an academic boycott against Israel. He later told The Michigan Daily the boycott stance is "personal" and that he was not anti-Semitic.
Supporters of a boycott say the movement is a nonviolent way to promote the Palestinian cause. Israel says it aims to delegitimize the Jewish state.
