BDS Movement
News about economic and academic attacks against the Jewish state
In his article, “The Moral Case for Israel Annexing the West Bank—and Beyond,” professor Jason Hill defends Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pledge to extend sovereignty to Israeli settlement blocs in Judea and Samaria.
“The members of the entertainment industry who have signed this statement ... believe in building bridges through music and the arts as a means to achieving greater understanding and peace in the region,” said Ari Ingel, director of Creative Community for Peace.
Students for Justice in Palestine is one of the primary student organizations that engages in anti-Israel activity on North American college campuses and is the leading force behind the BDS movement.
“At the heart of the First Amendment lies the principle that each person should decide for him or herself the ideas and beliefs deserving of expression, consideration and adherence,” said U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman.
In the emergency motion filed, a lawyer representing the students wrote that students “suffer irreparable harm” if the event takes place on campus, noting that fliers for the event have been posted around campus making Jewish students “fearful and intimidated.”
Entertainers include queer Palestinian pop-artist Bashar Murad, Palestinian drag performer Elias Wakeem and London-based drag performer Ray Filar.
According to an email obtained by JNS from the International Legal Forum, PayPal said it would “thoroughly review” Samidoun’s account, and that it will “take further action as appropriate.” Following similar complaints, Samidoun’s accounts with Donorbox and Plaid have been removed.
Raising eyebrows within the Jewish and international community, the conference was supported and promoted by the terror-affiliated Palestinian National and Islamic Forces, and attended by leaders of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Palestinian Liberation Front.
Scheduled over Passover despite student criticism, the resolution calling for divestment from Israeli companies was voted down by an overwhelming majority.
“These departments bill the event as a defense of free speech, and yet they plan to silence pro-Israel voices by not including them,” says CAMERA’s Hali Haber. “The event is really nothing more than ugly political theater pretending to be liberal and academic for reasons of public relations.”
“Providing the imprimatur of three academic departments to such a politically motivated and directed event violates the core academic mission of the university, suppresses student expression and impedes the free exchange of ideas so essential for any university,” said a letter to UMass chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy.
“The timing of this resolution is insensitive given that many Jewish students will be away from campus and celebrating the intermediary days of the holiday when the vote takes place,” said UMD Hillel staff member Elan Burman.
