The Palestinian Authority plans to expand its boycott of Israel to include an international boycott on Israeli academic institutions, a top official said Tuesday in an interview with the PA-based Ma’an news.

Sabri Saydam, an advisor to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, said PA Arabs would “adopt qualitative projects to end occupation using modern technology.” In addition to pushing an international boycott of Israeli schools, the PA will seek to use social networks to expand an existing boycott on products produced by Israelis in Judea and Samaria, he said.

Saydam suggested enlisting foreign support in other areas as well, such as by creating stronger ties with foreign “solidarity” groups whose activists join Judea and Samaria Arabs in protesting Israel.

The PA announced a boycott of Judea and Samaria products in 2010. The boycott was strongly backed by leaders including Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who took part in the public burning of Israeli goods and ran ads urging Arabs to avoid all Israeli products.

The PA has also attempted a boycott of Israeli employers in Judea and Samaria. However, with unemployment approaching 25%, PA Arabs’ desperation for work has so far overcome attempts to enforce a ban on employment by Israelis.

Previous attempts to boycott Israeli goods overseas have often backfired, with Israeli goods enjoying higher sales. Companies in Judea and Samaria have noted a similar effect, with some saying that being designated as “West Bank” produce improved their profits.