Agencies-Gaza post
California academicians oppose free speech exception for Palestine
The district administration in southern California allegedly suppressed professors over a statement they made in support of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, prompting them to threaten legal action.
US citizen Abu Akleh was shot and killed on May 11 in Jenin by an Israeli sniper.
Despite multiple forensic examinations by local and international human rights organizations, media, and the United Nations establishing Israel’s sole guilt in her murder, the US State Department this past week exonerated Israel of all blame.
The South West Asian and North African (SWANA) teacher and staff organization of the North Orange County Community College District declared that “Shireen’s assassination is not an isolated event” the day after Abu Akleh was assassinated.
Instead, they continued, “it is a deliberate tactic used by Israel to silence individuals daring to expose its brutal actions.”
The organization promoted the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement in support of Palestinian rights.
The district chancellor claimed that publishing the faculty letter on the district listservs and the Diversity and Compliance office website went against protocol and issued an apology to “anyone who was negatively affected” by the letter’s content. This is standard procedure for faculty statements on political and social issues.
Prominent Jewish community members who voiced “anger and dismay” over the faculty letter were mentioned by the chancellor.
He did not elaborate on the particular charges but rather noted that answers to the letter contained remarks on “anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism.”
Supporting Palestinian rights is equivalent to anti-Jewish hatred, according to a frequent stereotype peddled by pro-Israel organizations. The assertion is just intended to disrupt and silence activism.
The top administrator, using the official regulations, implied that SWANA had “proselytized” for a “political cause” and stated that the remark had now been taken down from the website.
The faculty members responded to the chancellor’s remarks by stating that “when the district uses nebulous policy claims to remove a letter that mourns the assassination of a Palestinian American journalist, we understand that this is only an extension of the racist, bigoted practices that have long pervaded the district.”
The group demanded that the district either republish their letter or take down all statements and letters sent by other associations off the website to enforce the regulations consistently across all faculty and staff associations.
