University declares criticism of Zionism – a political ideology – to be discrimination
New York University (NYU) has escalated its assault on anti-genocide protesters by declaring that Zionism – the political ideology that has oppressed Palestinians for three-quarters of a century and leads to Palestinians being treated as less human than Jewish Israelis – is a ‘protected characteristic’ and that criticism of the political ideology is racist.
NYU’s ‘Non-discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and Procedures for Students’ (NDAH) has been updated to say that:
For many Jewish people, Zionism is a part of their Jewish identity. Speech and conduct that would violate the NDAH if targeting Jewish or Israeli people can also violate the NDAH if directed toward Zionists.
For example, excluding Zionists from an open event… applying a ‘no Zionist’ litmus test for participation in any NYU activity”
The manoeuvre to protect proponents of a racist ideology from scrutiny or criticism was rightly slammed by opponents of Israel’s genocide of as many as 200,000 Palestinians and its maiming of even more.
NYU Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine (FSJP) said it was “alarmed” by the guidance which, it said,
sets a dangerous precedent by extending Title VI protections to anyone who adheres to Zionism, a nationalist political ideology, and troublingly equates criticism of Zionism with discrimination against Jewish people. Furthermore, the new guidance implies that any nationalist political ideology (Hindu nationalism, Christian nationalism, etc.) that is integrated into some members of that group’s understanding of their own racial or ethnic identity should be entitled to civil rights protections.
This weaponization of the Title VI apparatus openly threatens the university’s commitments to academic freedom and to non-discrimination, and we insist that the administration reconsider these changes for the good of the university community.
A joint statement by anti-genocide protest groups warned that the attempt to suppress free speech and political scrutiny would only fuel the movement’s anger and determination:
What the administrators have clearly failed to grasp is that repression cannot kill the student movement. Every attempt to silence, to punish, to quell, will be met with new and more creative forms of resistance.
The students have chosen to stand with Palestine and against the racist, colonial, and expansionist ideology of Zionism. Together we will struggle alongside them, until liberation.
The protection of a racist ideology comes after brutal police crackdowns and political demonisation of anti-genocide protest failed to break the spirit of protesters in New York City and around the US. The student anti-genocide movement has been mirrored in the UK and around the world as people rise up in revulsion at setter-colonial racism and mass murder.
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Was the density in the previous article (“Palestinian is an idealogy”)
conditionededucated by the same insufferable idiots that thought this one up?In 1975 UN Resolution 3379 defined Zionism as a form of Racism (it is after all a white colonial ideology). This lasted about 16 years until a rightwing Republican Presidency used its leverage to have it deleted. How far have we descened since then?
That said, if indeed “Palestinian is an idealogy” then surely pro-palestinian protestors should be afforded that same protected status, too?
Only in America….until keef – being the bright spark that he is – comes up with something similar, here.
It’s called the “Rules Based International Order”, Toffee.
They (the minority sociopathic Oligarchy from the ‘Garden’) make the rules to suit convenience (ie not consistently applied) and we, the neo-feudal serfs (ie the majority of the rest of the planet considered to be untermenschen and deplorable’s from the ‘Jungle’), obey the orders.
It does not have to make rational and logical sense or fit together systemically because we are dealing here with people who operate to their own made up reality – as per the well-known quote attributed to Karl Rove in the 2004 Rolling Stone interview by Ron Suskind.
An approach we witness first-hand BTL on this site on a regular basis.
America, the land where free speech is sacrosanct❓
Good question, SteveH, but he First Amendment protection of free speech cannot be absolute and unrestricted.
Maybe it’s being used politically by some of the powers that be (PtB) and their political henchmen like Biden, Harris, Trump, Starmer, etc (‘bought’ politicians) who are all unquestioning supporters of a particularly vile Jewish-Supremacy ideology called zionism?
FYI, this is a useful article about free speech on campus by the American Civil Liberties Union. https://www.aclu.org/documents/speech-campus
SPOILER ALERT: you should “speak out loudly and clearly against expressions of racist, sexist, homophobic, and transphobic speech, as well as other instances of discrimination against marginalized individuals or groups”
Don’t forget the millions of wealthy Christian Zionists. They are even more demented.
Try telling that one to Julian Assange, Billy.
Off topic:
From Another Angry Voice
12 things you should know about Starmer’s “Things Will Get Worse” speech
Keir Starmer’s “Things Will Get Worse” speech was absolutely crammed with lies, distortions, excuses, and economically illiterate rubbish.
https://anotherangryvoice.substack.com/p/12-things-starmer-things-will-get-worse-speech?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1797522&post_id=148217765&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=2sxaqb&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
And Richard J Murphy has this to say:
Keir Starmer’s ‘vision statement’, delivered this week, was anything but that
So following on from the previous article, Zionists should be treated as if they are one race and be protected, whereas Palestinians are not and and can be slaughtered. Jaw dropping hypocrisy!
The zionists treat the black Jews appallingly. It is falling apart from within.
The same rational could also be used to protect neo-nazis and other fascist minority groups now this precedent has been set.