'StandWithUs' Falls Flat on Free Speech
The growing popularity of grassroots pro-Palestinian activism on university campuses, such as the adoption of divestment campaigns, has been demonized in the name of “tackling antisemitism.” The onslaught of criticism to which student groups are subjected can often be traced back to a handful of Zionist non-profits.[1] Among the most notable groups is StandWithUs, a 15-million-dollar organization which claims to help educate the public about Israel.[2] In practice, the group has produced “educational material” with dubious and offensive claims about Palestinians[3], has maintained amicable relationships with islamophobic individuals[4]–[6], and has stifled free speech for pro-Palestinian activists by supporting anti-BDS legislation.[1], [7], [8]
At the time of publishing this article, 35 U.S. states have laws prohibiting BDS[9], which have been denounced as a clear afront to free speech by organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union[10] and the National Coalition Against Censorship.[11] More pervasively, much of StandWithUs’ efforts are also dedicated to fighting against divestment campaigns on college and university campuses. Although these student-led campaigns have a limited reach, the organization fears that BDS appeals to youths mindful of social justice, who will then grow to influence a wider sphere of politics.[12]
StandWithUs simultaneously tries to discredit pro-Palestinian activism on campuses by claiming that student groups, such as SJP, are not grassroots movements.[12] To back up their statement, they point towards “professional off-campus political interest groups” that supply “funding, training, research, talking points, and legal support” to the students.[12] This hypocritical framing fails to acknowledge the much more significant presence and influence of professional pro-Israel organizations, including StandWithUs, which provide the very same services.[1], [13]
As a result, it does not come as a surprise that StandWithUs’ signature can be found on statements denouncing pro-Palestinian activism on both uOttawa and Carleton University campuses. This includes a joint statement posted by Hillel Ottawa following the adoption of the “Solidarity with Palestine” position by the University of Ottawa Students’ Union (UOSU) in November of 2021.[14] The statement, which makes no reference to the text of the position, misleadingly frames it as an effort to “silence Jewish and pro-Israel voices on campus.”[14] In reality, the text simply calls for the university to “divest from institutions complicit in the occupation of the Palestinian people.”[15] StandWithUs have also sponsored events with Hillel Ottawa and Israel on Campus Ottawa, such as a virtual “Lunch and Learn” with Einat Wilf.[16] As a former member of Knesset, Wilf has built her career on denial of Israeli colonialism and apartheid, and vilification of the Palestinian Right of Return. [17], [18]
One reason why StandWithUs may see the act of divesting from illegal settlements in occupied Palestine as antisemitic is because they do not consider the land to be illegally occupied.[19] They simply claim that “when Palestinian leaders finally say yes to peace, these issues [related to the occupation of the West Bank] can be resolved.”[19] They thus shift the blame for the region’s instability onto the victims of a harsh colonial occupation, who face far more daily violence than the illegal settlers on their land.[20] They also refute the harm caused by checkpoints[19] This, once again, minimizes the disproportionate harm inflicted on Palestinians at the 140 checkpoints scattered throughout the West Bank[21]–[23].
The harm done by StandWithUs is not limited to Palestinians and pro-Palestinian activists. In February 2022, they encouraged a donor to pull funding from the renowned Israel Studies Program at the University of Washington because of a faculty member’s signature on a statement criticizing Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in May 2021.[24]–[26] The donor’s 5-million-dollar donation was then redirected to StandWithUs.[25] Following the incident, the director of their legal department published an opinion piece in which he encouraged universities to specify that endowments only be used to fund pro-Israel speech.[25] Scholars have since spoken out in opposition to the decision, which constitutes a clear infringement on academic freedom.[27]
These unapologetic attacks on free speech are troubling and have no place on our campus. We therefore call upon fellow student groups at the University of Ottawa, including Hillel and Israel on Campus, to reconsider their involvement with any organization complicit in attacking the freedoms of student activists and faculty, as well as normalizing the Israeli government’s violations of international law.
Addendum: StandWithUs recommends to “Follow SJP’s social media accounts for any posts related to BDS.” While we disagree with them on a great deal of positions, we strongly endorse this statement and welcome our new followers!
References
[1] M. Bueckert, “Boycotts and Backlash: Canadian Opposition to Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movements from South Africa to Israel,” Carleton University, Ottawa, 2020.
[2] StandWithUs, “Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax.” Nov. 15, 2021, Accessed: Mar. 05, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.standwithus.com/_files/ugd/46fc49_809a07b0fd8541fda58f14417b2f9e87.pdf.
[3] StandWithUs, “The Nakba: Understanding the Catastrophe,” Nov. 2020.
[4] The Carter Center, “Countering the Islamophobia Industry: Toward More Effective Strategies,” 2018. Accessed: Mar. 04, 2022. [Online]. Available: www.cartercenter.org.
[5] M. Blumenthal, “The Sugar Mama of Anti-Muslim Hate,” The Nation, Jun. 12, 2012. https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/sugar-mama-anti-muslim-hate/ (accessed Mar. 05, 2022).
[6] A. Kane, “Right-Wing Donor Adam Milstein Has Spent Millions to Stifle BDS and Attack Critics of Israeli Policy,” The Intercept, Mar. 25, 2019. https://theintercept.com/2019/03/25/adam-milstein-israel-bds/ (accessed Mar. 05, 2022).
[7] StandWithUs SaidOff Legal Department, “StandWithUs Files Fourth Amicus Brief in Support of State Anti-BDS Legislation On September 6, 2019,” Sep. 09, 2019. https://www.standwithus.com/amp/standwithus-files-fourth-amicus-brief-in-support-of-state-anti-bds-legislation-on-september-6-2019 (accessed Mar. 04, 2022).
[8] A. Bandler, “Missouri Legislature Passes Anti-BDS Bill,” Jewish Journal, May 14, 2020. https://www.standwithus.com/amp/missouri-legislature-passes-anti-bds-bill (accessed Mar. 05, 2022).
[9] A. Slisco, “Companies Boycotting Israel Can’t Do Business With These U.S. States,” Newsweek, May 19, 2021. https://www.newsweek.com/companies-boycotting-israel-cant-do-business-these-us-states-1593099 (accessed Mar. 05, 2022).
[10] K. Ruane, “Congress, Laws Suppressing Boycotts of Israel Are Unconstitutional. Sincerely, Three Federal Courts.,” American Civil Liberties Union, May 09, 2019. https://www.aclu.org/blog/free-speech/congress-laws-suppressing-boycotts-israel-are-unconstitutional-sincerely-three (accessed Mar. 04, 2022).
[11] National Coalition against Censorship, “Anti-BDS Legislation in Senate Disregards Free Speech - National Coalition Against Censorship,” Jan. 11, 2019. https://ncac.org/news/blog/anti-bds-legislation-in-senate-disregards-free-speech (accessed Mar. 04, 2022).
[12] StandWithUs, “Countering Anti-Israel Boycotts on Campuses.” .
[13] StandWithUs, “StandWithUs SaidOff Legal: About Legal.” https://www.standwithus.com/legal/ (accessed Mar. 05, 2022).
[14] Hillel Ottawa (@hillelottawa), “Hillel Ottawa (@hillelottawa) - 2021/11/16,” Instagram. Nov. 16, 2021, Accessed: Mar. 05, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.instagram.com/p/CWW7ouLtIYF/.
[15] University of Ottawa Students’ Union Board of Directors, “Positions Book ,” Jul. 18, 2021. https://uosu.sharepoint.com/sites/ca-bod/Policies Procedures Positions/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2Fca-bod%2FPolicies Procedures Positions%2FPositions%2FPositions Book %28EN%29 - 07-18-2021.pdf&parent=%2Fsites%2Fca-bod%2FPolicies Procedures Positions%2FPositions (accessed Mar. 05, 2022).
[16] Hillel Ottawa (@hillelottawa), “Hillel Ottawa (@hillelottawa) - 2022/03/29,” Instagram, Mar. 29, 2022. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbsg-o8uZyC/ (accessed May 07, 2022).
[17] S. Bahour, “Palestinian refugees are Israel’s Achilles heel,” Mondoweiss, May 02, 2020. https://mondoweiss.net/2020/05/palestinian-refugees-are-israels-achilles-heel/ (accessed May 07, 2022).
[18] R. Ahren, “A self-declared leftist wages war on the Palestinian ‘right of return,’” The Times Of Israel, Jul. 30, 2018. https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-self-declared-leftist-wages-war-on-the-palestinian-right-of-return/ (accessed May 07, 2022).
[19] StandWithUs, “Answering Tough Questions About Israel.” 2019.
[20] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “Data on casualties.” https://www.ochaopt.org/data/casualties (accessed Mar. 06, 2022).
[21] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “Over 700 road obstacles control Palestinian movement within the West Bank,” Oct. 08, 2018. https://www.ochaopt.org/content/over-700-road-obstacles-control-palestinian-movement-within-west-bank (accessed Mar. 06, 2022).
[22] H. Haaland and P. Trainor, “Death Traps: Israel’s Use of Force at Checkpoints in the West Bank,” 2002. Accessed: Mar. 06, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.alhaq.org/cached_uploads/download/alhaq_files/publications/Death_Traps___Israels_Use_of_Force_at_Checkpoints_in_the_West_Bank.pdf.
[23] Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, “Israeli Checkpoints Have Become Death Traps for Occupied Palestinians,” Jun. 26, 2020. https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/israeli-checkpoints-have-become-death-traps-occupied (accessed Mar. 06, 2022).
[24] “Statement of Israel/Palestine by Scholars of Jewish Studies and Israel Studies,” May 22, 2021. https://israelpalestinejs.weebly.com/ (accessed Mar. 05, 2022).
[25] A. Lapin, “Donor yanks Israel Studies endowment at U of Washington over professor’s Israel criticism,” Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Feb. 24, 2022. https://www.jta.org/2022/02/24/united-states/israel-studies-endowment-revoked-over-professors-israel-criticism-at-university-of-washington (accessed Mar. 05, 2022).
[26] V. Balta, “UW statement on recent gift return, status of Israel Studies program,” UW News, Feb. 28, 2022. https://www.washington.edu/news/2022/02/28/uw-statement-on-recent-gift-return-status-of-israel-studies-program/ (accessed Mar. 05, 2022).
[27] O. R. Aktas, J. Beckert, J. Bürger, A. Daglian, B. Demirkol, and A. Forsyth, “UW Leadership Must Protect Academic Freedom, Commit to Replacing Returned Funds,” The Daily of the University of Washington, Mar. 02, 2022. https://www.dailyuw.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/uw-leadership-must-protect-academic-freedom-commit-to-replacing-returned-funds/article_02f955de-9849-11ec-9a08-1f97262ca175.html (accessed Mar. 05, 2022).
