Israeli lobby silences, persecutes Pro-Palestine Harvard students

By Al Mayadeen English
13 Dec 2023 15:36
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Pro-Palestinian Harvard students express concern over pro-Israeli donors' strategy of legally targeting organizations like Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace.

Silenced campuses: Israel's impact on Harvard university — Pro-Palestinian activists during a demonstration demanding a ceasefire in Gaza in Washington, Saturday, November 4, 2023 (AP)

A bipartisan demand from @EliseStefanik and @RepMoskowitz for the removal of Presidents Gay, Magill, and Kornbluth.

Consider the severe reputational damage the three continue to inflict on our most important American institutions of higher learning for each hour they continue… https://t.co/XPLgrAiDPi
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) December 9, 2023

This is absolutely outrageous. Rutgers has suspended Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) for “disruptive and disorderly conduct” and “failure to comply with university or civil authority.”

We are living through one of the most organized assaults on freedom of speech. pic.twitter.com/s6ZLKlLjdI
— keyvan (@still_oppressed) December 12, 2023

The plan involves leveraging legal tools, filing lawsuits against pro-Palestinian individuals and groups, publicizing their names to impact their employment, and obstructing their chances of finding a job in the US.

The multi-part plan to silence free speech on campus also seeks to undermine funding for pro-Palestinian groups, pressure university heads by identifying donors, and advocate for economic sanctions on institutions receiving federal or state public funding.

Zionists at Columbia are masquerading as Palestinians on the anonymous app Sidechat and spreading hatred using racist and orientalist tropes. The original post was investigated by Sidechat moderators and proven to be posted by a staunch Israel supporter. pic.twitter.com/NIkoigQCSo
— Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (@ColumbiaSJP) December 7, 2023

Additionally, the plan includes deploying influencers to US campuses, collaborating with pro-Israeli/Jewish groups, and organizing demonstrations and ongoing street sign campaigns.

Anti-Zionism; a form of anti-semitism

Pro-Palestinian students also highlighted that a hearing on Capitol Hill, ostensibly aimed at "combating anti-Semitism," had focused on stifling voices advocating for Palestinian rights instead of fostering a constructive dialogue on combating anti-Semitism.

Students emphasized that Congress deliberately overlooked incidents of violence against Arab, Palestinian, and Muslim students, suggesting that the hearing aligns with a broader trend of employing "McCarthy-esque tactics" to quell pro-Palestinian speech and activities.

On December 6, the US House approved a GOP-led anti-Semitism resolution with 311 in favor and 14 against, raising Democratic concerns about its broad language possibly categorizing criticism of the Israeli government as anti-Semitic.

Using "anti-Semitism as a weapon of choice, in a post on X, the Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, described freedom of speech at the University as "a dangerous and sad moment," accusing the venue that is "supposed to be a moral beacon" of becoming a "breeding ground for hatred."

He even called for ousting whosoever considers voicing support for Palestine and criticizing "Israel".

US private universities are being cornered by pro-Israeli donors

US universities are stuck between a rock and a hard place - between satisfying rich donors that support "Israel" and respecting students' rights to free expression, as the rich threaten to withdraw their financial support from prestigious private Ivy League schools like Harvard University in Massachusetts or the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn).

For example, the Wexner Foundation, meant for young Jewish leaders in North America and "Israel", ended its partnership with Harvard's Kennedy School.

The Wexner family, which founded the Bath & Body Works chain, formally cut their ties to the school following the "dismal failure of Harvard's leadership to take a clear and unequivocal  stand against the barbaric murders  of innocent Israeli civilians by terrorists."

Marc Rowan, the CEO of the Apollo Global Management investment fund and a major donor to UPenn, called on the school's President Elizabeth Magill to step down after criticizing her for UPenn's hosting of a Palestinian literature festival which, he claimed, included some "well-known anti-Semites and fomenters of hate and racism."

The CEO of the Citadel investment fund and one of Harvard's biggest donors, Kenneth Griffin, alongside heir to the Estee Lauder cosmetics group and another UPenn donor, Ronald Lauder, expressed displeasure as well.

Lynn Pasquerella, president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU), said, "Leaders are criticized for not speaking out quickly or forcefully enough. They're being forced to choose sides. And yet many say that given a diversity of perspectives on campus, there can't be an institutional position on such complex global issues."

It is worth noting that the New York Post revealed, on October 27, that a "doxxing truck" is circling Harvard University’s campus to expose students who allegedly signed a letter blaming "Israel" for the atrocities on Gaza, and the truck has been displaying students' pictures and standing outside their homes.

Doxxing is the act of publishing someone's private information in order to shame them or make them feel unsafe.

The doxxing truck driving around/ parked at Harvard that’s been targeting Arab students for months, and that Harvard has done NOTHING to stop, except target students for pro-Palestine protests is now displaying this and I am elated with ironic justice pic.twitter.com/r4t87CmhtR
— Ahst PolishLastName 🐀🔻 (@atomzw) December 11, 2023

The president of news watchdog Accuracy in Media, Adam Guillette, who deployed the truck, told The Post that his organization "expanded our fight against antisemitism at Harvard."

In a related development, Harvard President Claudine Gay has received unanimous backing from the university's board, the highest governing body, according to a statement on Tuesday. This endorsement provides significant support for Gay to continue in her role amid a turbulent week marked by calls from pro-Israeli donors and politicians for her removal.

One of the more straightforward points of view on the @Harvard situation. https://t.co/kT5MXaJSuL
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) December 12, 2023

This comes after a student statement from Harvard University blaming "Israel" for the attacks on Gaza is being criticized and Harvard is being called out by some of its most prominent political alumni for not condemning the statement.

In short, billionaire Harvard Alum Bill Ackman among other pro-Israeli donors are reportedly exerting influence to stifle pro-Palestinian voices, orchestrating a crackdown on pro-Palestinian groups within the university. The unfolding situation has raised concerns about free speech and activism on campus, with students and organizations facing potential legal action, employment challenges, and economic pressure.

This is happening as "Israel" is committing a real-time genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, killing more than 18,500, most of whom are women and children.