SDSU Student Council Votes on Divisive BDS Resolution

Proposed measure calls for university to divest from Israeli-linked companies and programs

Apr. 15, 2026 at 7:36pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring overlapping, fragmented shapes in shades of blue, green, and orange, representing the complex and contentious nature of the BDS resolution at San Diego State University.The divisive BDS resolution at SDSU has sparked a heated debate over the role of universities in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.San Diego Today

San Diego State University's Associated Students University Council (ASUC) is set to vote on a Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) resolution on April 22. The resolution demands the university sever ties with an Israeli academic partnership, halt study abroad scholarships to Israel, and issue a statement affirming support for Palestinian and Muslim students.

Why it matters

The BDS movement has become a contentious issue on college campuses, with accusations of antisemitism leveled against its supporters. This vote at SDSU reflects the ongoing debate over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role universities should play.

The details

The BDS resolution, first introduced on March 18, calls for SDSU and the California State University system to divest from investments in services and technology used by the Israeli Defense Forces. It demands the university end its partnership with the MGSDII (the Modern Governance of the State of Israel through Industrial Innovation program) and halt all A.S. scholarships for studying abroad in Israel, except for students fulfilling religious obligations. The resolution also calls for a statement from the university president affirming support for Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students.

  • The first reading of the resolution took place on March 18.
  • The second reading occurred on April 8, during Passover.
  • A special meeting is scheduled for April 15 to allow for public comment and debate.
  • The final vote is set for the ASUC's April 22 meeting.

The players

Adela De la Torre

President of San Diego State University.

Oril Lerer

A senior at SDSU and former president of AEPi and SSI.

Maya Gerrasi

A senior at SDSU who opposes the BDS resolution.

Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)

A student organization that has advocated for the BDS resolution.

Donald Theisen

The incoming student senate president at Ohio University, who co-sponsored a similar BDS resolution.

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What they’re saying

“The resolution's rhetoric is particularly concerning because it creates a permission structure that says that allows students to discredit Israeli and Jewish voices.”

— Oril Lerer, SDSU Senior

“As Jewish students, we are directly targeted by this resolution, and we will stand firmly against efforts that marginalize our community, no matter the pressure against us, and expect the university administration to stand with us.”

— Maya Gerrasi, SDSU Senior

What’s next

The ASUC is scheduled to hold a final vote on the BDS resolution at its April 22 meeting. If passed, the resolution would then go to the university administration, which has already rejected a similar referendum at Ohio University.

The takeaway

The debate over the BDS resolution at SDSU reflects the ongoing tensions on college campuses regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The vote will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how universities respond to such divisive political issues.