Kimmerling was an outspoken critic of Israeli policies, and spoke out on issues related to the Arab-Israeli conflict.[1] He was dubbed one of Israel's New Historians, and himself insisted that he was a patriotic Zionist dedicated to celebrating the diversities of cultures within Israel, and to the ideals of a secular state.[2] Kimmerling was an atheist, and lamented the inability of Jews and Arabs to "separate religion from nationality."[3] Unlike some critics of Israeli policy, he publicly opposed the proposed boycott of Israeli academics by the Association of University Teachers in the United Kingdom, arguing that it would "weaken the last public sphere of free thinking and free speech in Israel."[5]