The Pro-Israel Push to Purge US Campus Critics | Katherine Franke | The New York Review of Books

Key Argument

The article argues that there's a concerted effort by US and Israeli governments and their supporters to suppress criticism of Israeli policies towards Palestinians, particularly on US college campuses. This suppression manifests as redefining anti-Semitism to include criticism of Israel, investigating and punishing professors for expressing dissenting views, and blacklisting students and academics who are critical of Israel.

Key Incidents

• The US Department of Education's adoption of a definition of anti-Semitism that equates criticism of Israel with hatred of Jews.
• Cases of students and professors facing disciplinary actions or denial of entry into Israel for their criticism of the Israeli government.
• The case of Marc Lamont Hill, who was fired by CNN for his speech at the UN advocating for a free Palestine.
• The Israeli Nation-State Law which further solidifies Israel's definition as a Jewish state and potentially violates equal rights.

Consequences

The author highlights the chilling effect on academic freedom and democratic engagement. The fear of being labeled anti-Semitic silences critical discussions of Israeli policies, violating the principles of free speech and academic discourse.

Call to Action

The article concludes with a call for the US and Israeli governments to uphold academic freedom and encourage open debate on the complex issues surrounding Israel and Palestine. The author expresses concern that universities may not protect their faculty when facing pressure from pro-Israel organizations.