Free Speech in the U.S. and Gaza/Israel

[Revoltingest]

Not a great look for you to talk about a Jewish guy's "ilk"....

When those of such ilk display foul bigotry,
& support censoring criticism of Israel's
war crimes, they will be criticized.
Being Jewish doesn't give anyone license
to do wrong, & be above criticism.

....while pretending antisemitism isn't occurring en masse right now.

The pretense is all yours.
Both anti-semitism & islamophobia are evident.
The latter is particularly so on RF.

Don't project.

Don't support bigotry & violence.

 

[Left Coast]

Does this mean you deny the OP's linked article?

The Nation is a quite biased source in general, so I take whatever they claim with a large grain of salt. I suspect you would too, if it were an article critical of capitalism. What I deny is that whatever covert operations by Israel may be happening are causing some widespread silencing of criticism of Israel, in colleges or anywhere else in American life, frankly. Criticism of Israel is incessant right now.

Bless your heart.

Back at ya.

 

[Revoltingest]

Criticism of Israel is incessant right now.

As it should be.
It's time for USA citizens to stand up for values.
Not blindly support a murderous islamophobic regime.

Israel again tries to silence critics & news coverage.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2023/10/18/israel-al-jazeera-committee-to-protect-journalists-threat-censor/

Excerpted...
Israel approved new emergency regulations Wednesday that could pave the way for censoring Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based broadcaster that Israel has accused of bias and propaganda that harms its national security.

Proposed earlier this week by Israeli communications minister Shlomo Karhi, the regulations would allow officials to “halt media broadcasts and confiscate broadcast equipment if an outlet’s output is seen to harm national security, public order, or serve as a basis for ‘enemy propaganda,’” according to the Times of Israel. Karhi and Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara agreed Wednesday to enact those regulations, which could shutter the Israeli operations of Al Jazeera, one of few international media companies with a physical presence in both the Gaza Strip and Israel.

 

[Left Coast]

When those of such ilk display foul bigotry,
& support censoring criticism of Israel's
war crimes, they will be criticized.
Being Jewish doesn't give anyone license
to do wrong, & be above criticism.

Literally no one here is "supporting censoring criticism of Israel." Literally no one has endorsed that.

Don't support bigotry & violence.

For you to imply that I "support bigotry" is quite the charge. Your ad homs have gotten rather harsh recently. Take a break, maybe.

 

[Left Coast]

As it should be.

Cool, we're on the same page that it is in fact incessant, thus there's not some widespread suppression of speech happening. Thank you.

 

[Revoltingest]

Literally no one here is "supporting censoring criticism of Israel." Literally no one has endorsed that.

Every accusation of anti-semitism leveled against
advocates for Palestinians, & criticism of Israel is
an attempt to silence worthwhile speech.
And perhaps you've missed the news reports of
Israel & its apologists favoring censorship.
It's not just that one source.

Revealed: rightwing push to suppress criticism of Israel on US campuses

Documents seen by Guardian show fresh attack on university debate under the guise of prohibiting antisemitism

www.theguardian.com

American Jewish establishment stifles free speech to silence Zionism’s critics

According to the Senate’s new Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, Henrietta Szold, Hannah Arendt and Martin Buber could also be defined as Jew-haters.

www.haaretz.com

 

[Orbit]

No, I'm sorry but you couldn't. Students freely express their opinions about Israel literally. every. single. day. Examples you could produce of students being told they cannot express any negative opinions about that are dwarfed by students saying exactly what they think. You ought to know this.



Again, there are vastly more pro-Palestine marches happening on college campuses (and just in general) in this country. It has been constant for a month. Again, you ought to know this. There was just a large pro-Palestine march through the middle of the downtown that blocked traffic where I live, two days ago. Pretending the two sides are equally prevalent is not an accurate representation.



Firstly, I don't see a lot of campuses simply repressing any old opinions they don't like. I see particular, extreme expressions that advocate overt violence, genocide, and racism being punished. I don't see any widespread practice of student speech being silenced right now at all. Students are speaking very loudly and clearly all over this country. They're on camera. They're shouting into megaphones.

As for what the Israeli government has done, I'd be interested to know the details. If Israel has given money to those universities, I can easily see them threatening to pull future financial contributions, for example, if the university doesn't denounce the widespread antisemitism happening on campuses right now. That's their prerogative. You've said here that you don't want your money going to support Israel in its war effort. If you had the power, I'm betting you'd exert some real pressure to withhold that money if you could and demand some sort of concessions or changes. Why would Israel be held to another standard?




No. The attitude that Israel shouldn't exist is antisemitic. The attitude that Hamas' terrorist attack was justified "resistance to oppression" is antisemitic. That's what people are calling antisemitic. Among other overtly antisemitic things, like Elon Musk recently endorsing the idea that there's some Jewish cabal to defame white people.



I'm reminded here of the complaints of some right-wingers that have been disinvited from speaking at college campuses because of their views. Or whose talks have been completely disrupted or cancelled due to protestors. The usual reply on the left is that free speech doesn't entitle you to a microphone and a podium. Are you opposed to those speakers not being allowed to be paid for speaking engagements at American universities? If not, why is this different?

Personally, I think we should have laws and policies that are as permissive as feasibly possible around speech. Students should be exposed to a full spectrum of ideological views so they can form their own opinions.

Actually, I can google you tons of examples where students have been punished for pro-Palestinian speech, but as I said endless whataboutism isn't the point. What disturbs me about your post is this:

"No. The attitude that Israel shouldn't exist is antisemitic. The attitude that Hamas' terrorist attack was justified "resistance to oppression" is antisemitic. That's what people are calling antisemitic. Among other overtly antisemitic things, like Elon Musk recently endorsing the idea that there's some Jewish cabal to defame white people."

So students who point out that colonialism is the root of the issues in the region are anti-semitic? Does pointing that out mean that they think Israel should *poof* disappear? I actually haven't seen any students saying "Israel shouldn't exist". But if they did, hey, that's their opinion and it's not anti-semitic, it's anti-colonialism. If they said "Jews shouldn't exist" then I would agree with you. But no one is saying that. Don't conflate Israel with Judaism, they are not the same. There are many Jews who are anti-Zionist, and many who are Zionist who do not agree with Israel's policies. Are they anti-semitic, too?

Pointing out that there is a historical context for the Hamas attack is not "supporting" or "justifying" the attack. It is pointing out the very real facts of the situation. That is not anti-semitic. Pointing out that Israel's policies and actions have indeed caused radicalization and contribute to terrorism is not anti-semitic, it's stating facts. I would say the same thing about U.S. Mid-East policies. Does that make me anti-American? Or to use the more apt comparison, anti-white? Anti-Christian? If students want to call terrorism "resistance", well that's one point of view. Not one I agree with, but I understand it. That's their political theory; I don't subscribe to it, but it has nothing to do with actual anti-semitism.

I don't understand how Elon Musk's (usual) insane rantings are relevant there. He's a jerk, but that has nothing to do with student free speech.

 

[Revoltingest]

Cool, we're on the same page that it is in fact incessant, thus there's not some widespread suppression of speech happening. Thank you.

They try to suppress.
They fail now because Israel's misdeeds are
are so prominent & outrageous. Over 11,000
dead. Hundreds of thousands, perhaps over
a million sent packing from destroyed homes.

 

[Revoltingest]

I don't understand how Elon Musk's (usual) insane rantings are relevant there. He's a jerk, but that has nothing to do with student free speech.

Any port in a storm to demonize supporting human rights,
& criticizing the oppressor. When they've no justification
for war crimes, they seek out hateful guys like Musk to
make writ large.
Elon Musk's bigotry doesn't justify oppression & war crimes.

 

[Left Coast]

Every accusation of anti-semitism leveled against
advocates for Palestinians, & criticism of Israel is
an attempt to silence worthwhile speech.

Nonsense. You claim there's no antisemitism in the world among pro-Palestinian advocates?

And perhaps you've missed the news reports of
Israel & its apologists favoring censorship.
It's not just that one source.

I was referring to people on RF. Yet again, whatever efforts by conservative are happening to suppress speech, they're clearly not working.

 

[Revoltingest]

You claim there's no antisemitism in the world among pro-Palestinian advocates?

There you go again with a false claim.
You do this a lot, which makes credibility evaporate.

I was referring to people on RF.

I dealt with that too, ie, the repetitive accusations
of anti-semities. Such bogus perfunctory epithets
carry no weight anymore.

 

[Left Coast]

Actually, I can google you tons of examples where students have been punished for pro-Palestinian speech,

You'd have to produce literally millions of examples of students in America being punished for pro-Palestinian speech. Again, no, I'm sorry, you can't do that. You are simply incorrect if you believe the two sides of that are equal. They aren't.

but as I said endless whataboutism isn't the point. What disturbs me about your post is this:

"No. The attitude that Israel shouldn't exist is antisemitic. The attitude that Hamas' terrorist attack was justified "resistance to oppression" is antisemitic. That's what people are calling antisemitic. Among other overtly antisemitic things, like Elon Musk recently endorsing the idea that there's some Jewish cabal to defame white people."

So students who point out that colonialism is the root of the issues in the region are anti-semitic?

Is that what I said? Read it back and give me a yes or no.

Does pointing that out mean that they think Israel should *poof* disappear? I actually haven't seen any students saying "Israel shouldn't exist". But if they did, hey, that's their opinion and it's not anti-semitic, it's anti-colonialism.

Horse****. Students who claim the entire land of Israel is "occupied territory" and are against the founding of the state of Israel in 1948 are in support of abolishing the state of Israel. And are thus in support of a literal holocaust that would be required to actualize their belief that Israel should be replaced by Palestine.

For you not to understand these dynamics, that is the disturbing.

If they said "Jews shouldn't exist" then I would agree with you. But no one is saying that. Don't conflate Israel with Judaism, they are not the same. There are many Jews who are anti-Zionist, and many who are Zionist who do not agree with Israel's policies. Are they anti-semitic, too?

You might want to look up some polling on that, because it won't go in your favor. The percentage of Jews who don't think Israel has a right to exist are extremely small. In Israel, the number is even smaller. Israel was founded to be a Jewish homeland. That is literally its purpose, due to centuries of oppression of Jews in the region and around the world. To argue against Israel's existence is to argue against that protection for Jews. (Incidentally, the white supremacists agree, they don't think Israel should exist either. That should give you the tiniest bit of pause that maaaaaayyyyybe just maybe opposition to Israel's existence is rooted in some antisemitism.)

Pointing out that there is a historical context for the Hamas attack is not "supporting" or "justifying" the attack.

No. Literally applauding the attack and cheering for it, is though. Surely you know that's happened, yes?

That is not anti-semitic. Pointing out that Israel's policies and actions have indeed caused radicalization and contribute to terrorism is not anti-semitic, it's stating facts. I would say the same thing about U.S. Mid-East policies. Does that make me anti-American? Or to use the more apt comparison, anti-white? Anti-Christian? If students want to call terrorism "resistance", well that's one point of view. Not one I agree with, but I understand it. That's their political theory; I don't subscribe to it, but it has nothing to do with actual anti-semitism.

This is painfully at odds with the actual evidence we're seeing all around. If the "theory" has nothing to do with antisemitism, why are these same people so routinely antisemitic? Why is antisemitism on the rise? To pretend those things are only incidental is absurd. Listen to them talk.

I don't understand how Elon Musk's (usual) insane rantings are relevant there. He's a jerk, but that has nothing to do with student free speech.

It was an example of antisemitism. Isn't that obvious?

 

[Orbit]

You'd have to produce literally millions of examples of students in America being punished for pro-Palestinian speech. Again, no, I'm sorry, you can't do that. You are simply incorrect if you believe the two sides of that are equal. They aren't.



Is that what I said? Read it back and give me a yes or no.



Horse****. Students who claim the entire land of Israel is "occupied territory" and are against the founding of the state of Israel in 1948 are in support of abolishing the state of Israel. And are thus in support of a literal holocaust that would be required to actualize their belief that Israel should be replaced by Palestine.

For you not to understand these dynamics, that is the disturbing.



You might want to look up some polling on that, because it won't go in your favor. The percentage of Jews who don't think Israel has a right to exist are extremely small. In Israel, the number is even smaller. Israel was founded to be a Jewish homeland. That is literally its purpose, due to centuries of oppression of Jews in the region and around the world. To argue against Israel's existence is to argue against that protection for Jews. (Incidentally, the white supremacists agree, they don't think Israel should exist either. That should give you the tiniest bit of pause that maaaaaayyyyybe just maybe opposition to Israel's existence is rooted in some antisemitism.)




No. Literally applauding the attack and cheering for it, is though. Surely you know that's happened, yes?



This is painfully at odds with the actual evidence we're seeing all around. If the "theory" has nothing to do with antisemitism, why are these same people so routinely antisemitic? Why is antisemitism on the rise? To pretend those things are only incidental is absurd. Listen to them talk.



It was an example of antisemitism. Isn't that obvious?

Since you want to die on the hill of whataboutism, here you go:
https://www.google.com/search?clien...2ahUKEwjnsp3UmsyCAxXSkWoFHQjJAQEQ0pQJegQICxAB
About 20,900,000 results (0.42 seconds)

students punished for pro-palestinian speech - Google Search

I have yet to see student speech that advocates for the elimination of modern Israel, and its replacement by Palestine as you assert. What I *have* seen is student speech that points out that colonialism is a problem for the history of the region. It seems that you are sort of sliding into the idea that one suggests the other. It doesn't.

This might help:
an·ti-Sem·i·tism
/ˌanˌtīˈseməˌtizəm,ˌan(t)ēˈseməˌtizəm/
noun
noun: anti-Semitism; noun: antisemitis

1. hostility to or prejudice against Jewish people.
   "he is a leader in the fight against anti-Semitism"
   
   
   

Note that the definition does not say "Someone who criticizes Israeli policy, Israel, or the existence of Israel." In fact, I think it's kind of bigoted to say that Israel=Jews. Israel is a nation state, not a religion or ethnicity. While it was colonized by Jews, and is run by Jews, and even was created for Jews, that doesn't mean no other groups live there. Your erasure of millions of native Palestinians is telling.

Does the USA = Christians? Is criticizing U.S. policy anti-Christian?

So according to you, these Jews don't exist: Home - JVP

Or if they do, they are anti-semitic. Gotcha.

You say anti-semitism is on the rise. I agree. But you ignore that Isalmophobia is equally on the rise.

Is Elon Musk a student? I still don't see why he's relevant. I never argued that anti-semitism didn't exist, so trotting him out as an example of an anti-semitic person is kind of beside the point of the thread, which is about student free speech.

 

[Left Coast]

Since you want to die on the hill of whataboutism, here you go:
students punished for pro-palestinian speech - Google Search
About 20,900,000 results (0.42 seconds)

students punished for pro-palestinian speech - Google Search

LOL sorry no, you'll have to disaggregate and actually go through that to demonstrate what you're claiming. I think you and I both know that more students in America right now are able to speak their minds critical of Israel than those who aren't. Again, it is literally happening every day. Pretending it isn't won't get us anywhere.

I have yet to see student speech that advocates for the elimination of modern Israel, and its replacement by Palestine as you assert.

While you're Googling, you should Google about that. I have seen it repeatedly. Why do you think activists so repeatedly criticize and denounce Zionism? Since you're Googling definitions of things, you may want to Google Zionism.

By the way, do you think Israel has a right to exist? Do you support a two state solution?

What I *have* seen is student speech that points out that colonialism is a problem for the history of the region. It seems that you are sort of sliding into the idea that one suggests the other. It doesn't.

This might help:
an·ti-Sem·i·tism
/ˌanˌtīˈseməˌtizəm,ˌan(t)ēˈseməˌtizəm/
noun
noun: anti-Semitism; noun: antisemitis

1. hostility to or prejudice against Jewish people.
   "he is a leader in the fight against anti-Semitism"

Yes, thank you for the repeated Google. Meanwhile, actual antisemitism is on the rise around the country. You have admitted this.

Note that the definition does not say "Someone who criticizes Israeli policy, Israel, or the existence of Israel." In fact, I think it's kind of bigoted to say that Israel=Jews. Israel is a nation state, not a religion or ethnicity. While it was colonized by Jews, and is run by Jews, and even was created for Jews, that doesn't mean no other groups live there. Your erasure of millions of native Palestinians is telling.

Ew. I did not claim no non-Jews live in Israel. Don't project things onto me I didn't say. Go back and read and respond to what I actually said.

Are we really not capable of this, folks? Are we really not capable of giving one another the benefit of the doubt despite disagreements? I freely admit people can criticize Israel without being antisemitic. I don't think you're antisemitic. Can you admit I might disagree with your views here without being bigoted? Are you actually able to admit that? Cmon, let's hear it. Show me the tiniest bit of respect.

So according to you, these Jews don't exist: Home - JVP

Or if they do, they are anti-semitic. Gotcha.

Not what I said. Go back and read.

You say anti-semitism is on the rise. I agree. But you ignore that Isalmophobia is equally on the rise.

No, I don't. All bigotry is wrong.

Is Elon Musk a student? I still don't see why he's relevant. I never argued that anti-semitism didn't exist, so trotting him out as an example of an anti-semitic person is kind of beside the point of the thread, which is about student free speech.

To remind you of the flow of the conversation:

I think the prevailing attitude that anyone who criticizes Israeli policy is anti-semitic is the worst sort of McCarthyism.

"No. The attitude that Israel shouldn't exist is antisemitic. The attitude that Hamas' terrorist attack was justified "resistance to oppression" is antisemitic. That's what people are calling antisemitic. Among other overtly antisemitic things, like Elon Musk recently endorsing the idea that there's some Jewish cabal to defame white people."

It was a random example that came to mind from popular culture of actual antisemitism, rather than "anyone who disagrees with Israel is antisemitic." You don't need to read that much into it.

 

[Orbit]

LOL sorry no, you'll have to disaggregate and actually go through that to demonstrate what you're claiming. I think you and I both know that more students in America right now are able to speak their minds critical of Israel than those who aren't. Again, it is literally happening every day. Pretending it isn't won't get us anywhere.



While you're Googling, you should Google about that. I have seen it repeatedly. Why do you think activists so repeatedly criticize and denounce Zionism? Since you're Googling definitions of things, you may want to Google Zionism.

By the way, do you think Israel has a right to exist? Do you support a two state solution?



Yes, thank you for the repeated Google. Meanwhile, actual antisemitism is on the rise around the country. You have admitted this.




Ew. I did not claim no non-Jews live in Israel. Don't project things onto me I didn't say. Go back and read and respond to what I actually said.

Are we really not capable of this, folks? Are we really not capable of giving one another the benefit of the doubt despite disagreements? I freely admit people can criticize Israel without being antisemitic. I don't think you're antisemitic. Can you admit I might disagree with your views here without being bigoted? Are you actually able to admit that? Cmon, let's hear it. Show me the tiniest bit of respect.




Not what I said. Go back and read.



No, I don't. All bigotry is wrong.



To remind you of the flow of the conversation:



"No. The attitude that Israel shouldn't exist is antisemitic. The attitude that Hamas' terrorist attack was justified "resistance to oppression" is antisemitic. That's what people are calling antisemitic. Among other overtly antisemitic things, like Elon Musk recently endorsing the idea that there's some Jewish cabal to defame white people."

It was a random example that came to mind from popular culture of actual antisemitism, rather than "anyone who disagrees with Israel is antisemitic." You don't need to read that much into it.

So you can't be bothered to click on the Google link and see what is there? You want me to gish-gallop 20 million articles into my post for you? Whatever.

I think we are getting into the weeds here. This thread is about the fact I am concerned about the crackdown by universities on student free speech, where the speech (and student organizations) they are cracking down on are mostly Palestinian, and Jewish groups that are concerned about human rights in Palestine.

Your counter to this seems to be (1) it's not happening (which is refuted by a simple Google search or peek at twitter) and (2) it's ok, because those students are anti-semitic.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

The U.S. 1st amendment is a cornerstone of U.S. democracy. It guarantees freedom of speech, and is held dear by Americans. However, the first amendment only says that the *government* cannot repress or punish free speech.

You must have missed the thousands of Americans who were locked up (sometimes for years) during the Wilson Presidency, using the Sedition and Espionage acts written during his administration. Eugene Debs (who ran for President as an Independent from prison and won over a million votes) was one of them. Wilson's Postmaster General, Albert Sidney Burleson, refused to deliver papers from many left-leaning, socialist and European language newspapers and magazines, or denied them second-class postage rates which put many out of business.

Wilson himself publicly stated that disloyalty to the war effort “must be crushed out” and that disloyal individuals had “sacrificed their right to civil liberties” like free speech and expression, and though he pardoned or commuted the sentences of many (including rapists and murderers), he refused to the end to pardon Debs and others who were imprisoned for merely expressing their opposition to the war, or their support for unions!

That, I'm afraid, doesn't count as much of a "guarantee," however dear it is held by Americans.

 

[Left Coast]

So you can't be bothered to click on the Google link and see what is there? You want me to gish-gallop 20 million articles into my post for you? Whatever.

Lol no, because you won't find 20 million instances of student free speech about Israel being suppressed. Want me to Google "anti-Israel protest" or some such thing and see how many hits we get? You're a college professor, I thought. You ought to know that's a silly way to go about proving what you're trying to argue here.

I think we are getting into the weeds here. This thread is about the fact I am concerned about the crackdown by universities on student free speech, where the speech (and student organizations) they are cracking down on are mostly Palestinian, and Jewish groups that are concerned about human rights in Palestine.

Your counter to this seems to be (1) it's not happening (which is refuted by a simple Google search or peek at twitter) and (2) it's ok, because those students are anti-semitic.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

No problem.

1) to the extent it's happening, it's overwhelmed by students freely expressing their criticisms of Israel.

2) All students who express criticisms of Israel aren't antisemitic. A disturbing number of them, though, are. That's obvious by, as you say, a simple Google search or peek at Twitter.

Now I'm gonna ask you what I asked again that you evaded: Can you admit I might disagree with your views here without being bigoted? Are you actually able to admit that? Cmon, let's hear it. Show me the tiniest bit of respect.

 

[Revoltingest]

You must have missed the thousands of Americans who were locked up (sometimes for years) during the Wilson Presidency, using the Sedition and Espionage acts written during his administration. Eugene Debs (who ran for President as an Independent from prison and won over a million votes) was one of them. Wilson's Postmaster General, Albert Sidney Burleson, refused to deliver papers from many left-leaning, socialist and European language newspapers and magazines, or denied them second-class postage rates which put many out of business.

Wilson himself publicly stated that disloyalty to the war effort “must be crushed out” and that disloyal individuals had “sacrificed their right to civil liberties” like free speech and expression, and though he pardoned or commuted the sentences of many (including rapists and murderers), he refused to the end to pardon Debs and others who were imprisoned for merely expressing their opposition to the war, or their support for unions!

Her post struck me as advocating for the 1st Amendment.
Not claiming that government always honors it. We know
that it hasn't, & that rights must be vigorously pursued.

That, I'm afraid, doesn't count as much of a "guarantee," however dear it is held by Americans.

Dear to some.
Dear at times.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

Her post struck me as advocating for the 1st Amendment.
Not claiming that government always honors it. We know
that it hasn't, & that rights must be vigorously pursued.

Yes, absolutely right. And that's why I thought my response was appropriate -- this seems to me a time when we need to remind ourselves of the need to be eternally vigilant about our rights.

 

[Orbit]

Lol no, because you won't find 20 million instances of student free speech about Israel being suppressed. Want me to Google "anti-Israel protest" or some such thing and see how many hits we get? You're a college professor, I thought. You ought to know that's a silly way to go about proving what you're trying to argue here.



No problem.

1) to the extent it's happening, it's overwhelmed by students freely expressing their criticisms of Israel.

2) All students who express criticisms of Israel aren't antisemitic. A disturbing number of them, though, are. That's obvious by, as you say, a simple Google search or peek at Twitter.

Now I'm gonna ask you what I asked again that you evaded: Can you admit I might disagree with your views here without being bigoted? Are you actually able to admit that? Cmon, let's hear it. Show me the tiniest bit of respect.

It depends on which view. We can disagree about anything, that's fine. But if you insist on labeling any criticism of Israel as anti-semitic, I'm going to say that's bigoted.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-student-suspended-for-saying--free-palestine

Republicans change tune on free speech over pro-Palestinian rallies at colleges

Conservatives, who often tout their support for so-called free speech absolutists, are demanding strict punishment for students critical of Israel's government.

www.msnbc.com

Pro-Palestine student group, ACLU sues University of Florida system, DeSantis

A pro-Palestine student group and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced Thursday they are suing the University of Florida system and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for trying to deactivate the group and violating students’ free speech rights. “Our client, the University of Florida...

news.yahoo.com

Why We Must Reject Efforts to Restrict Constitutionally Protected Speech on College Campuses

David Cole, ACLU Legal Director The devastating conflict in Israel and Palestine has roiled campuses here at home. College students across the country are exercising their constitutional right to free speech by organizing, protesting, posting, and debating, sometimes resulting in speech that is...

www.aclu-or.org

Former President Donald Trump, for instance, proposed banning pro-Palestinian activists — whom he labeled “antisemitic” and “anti-American” — from universities in the U.S. And many of his fellow Republican presidential candidates have shared similar views.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., suggested foreign national students on visas should be "sent back to their country" if they protest against the Israeli government. (FYI: There are people in Israel pushing back against their government amid the war, as well.)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office recently came out in support of a local lawmaker’s push to expel students — and strip schools’ funding — over campus demonstrations the lawmaker, state Rep. Randy Fine, dubiously described as “justify[ing] the killing of Jews.” DeSantis has shown a willingness to conflate Palestinians with antisemitism, recently claiming that “all” Palestinian refugees from Gaza are antisemitic.

Though GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy disagrees with some of his fellow conservatives about the blacklisting calls, one of his wealthy supporters, Bill Ackman, supports such an action. Ackman has called for members of Harvard University student groups that signed a pro-Palestinian letter to be publicly named and blacklisted. The letter, posted on Oct. 7, said Israel was “entirely responsible for all the unfolding violence” and was signed by more than 30 Harvard student groups.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., recently urged the Biden administration to deport foreign nationals who signed or “shared approvingly” the letter.

And Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., told Fox News this week that she agrees with Cotton’s deportation push. She said she's co-sponsoring a bill Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said he will introduce that would require the deportation of foreign nationals who participate in "pro-Hamas" demonstrations.

And at least one House Republican has joined in this ideological crusade. Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri, who chairs the finance-focused Ways and Means Committee, told Fox News on Wednesday that his committee might seek to strip some universities of their ax-exempt statuses over some students' anti-Israel statements.