Georgia’s board of regents has joined other national higher education leaders in opposing a boycott of Israeli academic institutions.

Last month members of the American Studies Association endorsed the boycott to protest Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.

“The call for this boycott directly violates academic freedom, which is the fundamental principle of American higher education essential to the research, teaching and public service activities of our institutions,” said a resolution approved by the Georgia regents on Wednesday.

Chancellor Hank Huckaby added the item to the board’s agenda, he said, after being asked several times about the state university system’s position on the issue.