WALTHAM, MA — In what is likely the first instance of such a move since the start of the Israel-Hamas War, Brandeis University has banned a local chapter of Students For Justice In Palestine.
University officials said the group's stance on the war — one they believe is antisemitic and supports Hamas — means that the Brandeis chapter will go unrecognized, stripping it of the possibility to receive funding and removing permission from the group to conduct on-campus activities, according to ABC 7.
Jewish Insider first obtained a copy of the letter sent to the organization on Monday, which came on the same day that university President Ronald Liebowitz published an op-ed in the Boston Globe stating his belief that chants like "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" are antisemitic, and that students who use them should lose all privileges associated with affiliation at their schools.
It reads:
“This decision was not made lightly, as Brandeis is dedicated to upholding free speech principles, which have been codified in Brandeis’ Principles of Free Speech and Free Expression,” the letter said. “However, those Principles note that ‘The freedom to debate and discuss ideas does not mean that individuals may say whatever they wish, wherever they wish, or however they wish,’ and that, ‘…the university may restrict expression…that constitutes a genuine threat or harassment…or that is otherwise directly incompatible with the functioning of the university.’”
The letter continued, “The National SJP has called on its chapters to engage in conduct that supports Hamas in its call for the violent elimination of Israel and the Jewish people. These tactics are not protected by the University’s Principles. As a result, the University made the decision that the Brandeis chapter of the National SJP must be unrecognized and will no longer be eligible to receive funding, be permitted to conduct activities on campus, or use the Brandeis name and logo in promoting itself or its activities, including through social media channels.”
Read the full Jewish Insider story here.
University officials said that students who want to voice support for Palestine are allowed to do so, but must form another student organization that goes through procedures and processes the university approves of.
Though this may be the first instance of a private college banning the organization, it isn't the first time it's been banned from campuses.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ousted the group from all public universities in the state, with Florida's state university system’s chancellor stating the group is in "support of terrorism."
The Brandeis group canceled a vigil for Palestine that was scheduled on Monday, and issued a statement regarding the move from university officials.
"With heavy hearts, we would like to announce that our chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine has been unjustly de-charted. This comes as a part of Brandeis University, an institution that values social justice, trying to silence us from speaking our truth. We thank everyone who stood by us during this beautiful journey, and we encourage you to reach out to us if you need any kind of support," the group wrote.
"From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."
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