Alison Weir has weathered criticism and hate, slander and insults, in the quest for justice for Palestinians. Her organization, If Americans Knew, reconfirmed its reason for existence in the ups and downs of a recent, difficult controversy.
In preparation for Alison Weir’s informative event on the Israeli occupation of Palestine, Fresno CA braced itself for protests that Israel partisans had promised. The ADL, American Jewish Committee, etc had condemned the event. But the evening was peaceful and educational, with a large, full auditorium, extremely receptive audience, and TV news reports on the event. After the almost 2-hour talk, there was a long line of audience members eager to purchase her book…
As the Anti Defamation League and American Jewish Committee try to shut down activist Alison Weir’s upcoming event at Clovis Community College in Fresno CA on September 18th, she explains what it is the groups are trying to hide.
University of Illinois officials quickly reversed their decision to block an event about justice in Palestine when they were reminded that such discrimination is illegal under the First Amendment. “We’ve seen this happen again and again with Palestine-related events on campuses,” explained an attorney. “It’s critical for groups to stand up for their First Amendment rights in these situations.”
In a rush vote before summer recess, the House of Representatives passed H.Res.246, which claims that the global boycott movement against Israel undermines the possibility for a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The majority of Americans oppose such legislation. The Israel lobby was elated. A few courageous Congress members voted against it…
Former President Jimmy Carter encourages the House of Representatives to reject the anti-BDS bill: “Under our Constitution, people and legal entities have the right to express political views without fear of consequences.”
A Florida ‘hate crime’ bill with an expanded, Israel-centric definition of anti-Semitism and no mention of other religions, is working its way through House committees. Critics say that it violates free speech. This is the latest step in an international campaign to rewrite the definition of anti-Semitism to prevent many criticisms of Israel.
A children’s speech pathologist refuses to sign a will-not-boycott-Israel oath: she loses her job, an unknown number of children lose her advocacy. She notes how outlandish it is that she is not required to uphold the interests of the United States, or Texas, or children, but a foreign country.
As The Intercept has repeatedly documented, the most frequent victims of official campus censorship are not conservative polemicists but pro-Palestinian activists, and the greatest and most severe threat posed to free speech throughout the west is aimed at Israel critics.
In an aggressive campaign against a billboard company and its staff, Israel supporters threatened boycott and used the label “anti-Semitism” as a weapon to shut down a positive ad celebrating first responders in Gaza. The ad did not mention Israel. No dialogue, no explanation, just suppression of free speech.
The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice is thrilled to share today’s news from the Center of Constitutional Rights regarding the lawsuit against former Olympia Food Co-op board members and the decision to boycott Israeli goods. Please read this press release and share this important victory with others!