June 12, 2026
Following advocacy by AJC’s Center for Education Advocacy (CEA), members of the Modern Language Association (MLA) recently rejected Resolution 2026-1, an anti-Israel measure that sought to dismiss concerns about antisemitism as “weaponized” while falsely accusing Israel of genocide.
The MLA is the principal professional organization in the United States for scholars of language and literature.
The rejection of this resolution sends an important message: many scholars believe that protecting academic freedom and confronting antisemitism are complementary—not competing—goals.
What Was Resolution 2026-1?
At the MLA’s annual conference in January, Resolution 2026-1 narrowly passed the organization’s Delegate Assembly.
Though framed as a defense of academic freedom, the resolution advanced a one-sided political attack on Israel while portraying concerns about antisemitism as attempts to silence debate.
The measure then advanced to the full MLA membership for a vote.
Why Did AJC Engage?
AJC responded immediately, submitting a scholarship-grounded letter to MLA leadership explaining why the resolution distorted both antisemitism and academic freedom. We made clear that recognizing rising antisemitism in educational spaces is not an effort to suppress discussion. Rather, it is essential to ensuring Jewish students, faculty, and scholars can fully participate in academic life.
AJC also mobilized its 25 regional offices across the country to engage with MLA members and leadership locally and share the letter.
What Was the Outcome?
As the resolution was debated, MLA executive leadership explicitly acknowledged relying on AJC’s arguments during its deliberations on how to address the situation, underscoring the credibility and influence of CEA’s work.
The resolution ultimately failed last month, with just 6.7% support from the association’s membership.
Why Does This Matter?
Although Resolution 2026-1 failed, Jewish students, faculty, and educators continue to face significant challenges on campuses across the United States.
That’s why CEA partners with leaders to confront antisemitism, strengthen campus climates, and ensure discussions about Israel never become a justification for exclusion or hostility toward Jewish members of the academic community.
What is AJC Doing Next?
One of the key resources that will be critical to this effort is AJC’s Combating Antisemitism Playbook, which provides practical guidance for every sector of society to understand, respond to, and prevent antisemitism before it escalates.
For the education sector, AJC’s Playbook outlines clear, actionable recommendations that focus on integrating an understanding of Jewish identity and antisemitism into educational programming, fostering critical thinking and viewpoint diversity, and enforcing clear standards that protect all members of the academic community.
What is AJC’s Center for Education Advocacy?
AJC’s Center for Education Advocacy works to transform educational spaces for Jewish students by preparing young Jews to be leaders in high school, college, and beyond; working with university presidents and other administrators, trustees, and faculty as well as K-12 administrators to create academic environments where Jews and Zionism can thrive; and by empowering parents to advocate for their children and for the Jewish community.
Find key resources, action plans, and learn more at AJC.org/CEA.
