The article discusses a campaign to defend Professor Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, a Palestinian professor at Hebrew University facing disciplinary action and potential termination following her comments on the Gaza conflict. Shalhoub-Kevorkian was suspended after signing a petition accusing Israel of genocide and denying the October 7th Hamas attack, later reinstated but still under investigation.
The author argues that the accusations against Shalhoub-Kevorkian are part of a broader effort to silence critics of Israeli policies and conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism. The article highlights the growing suppression of dissent within universities and broader society concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It characterizes the accusations against Shalhoub-Kevorkian as politically motivated and intended to stifle academic freedom and critical discourse.
The campaign aims to mobilize support for Shalhoub-Kevorkian, defend her right to express her views, and combat the broader trend of labeling critics of Israel as antisemitic. The author posits that Shalhoub-Kevorkian’s case is significant because it sets a precedent for the treatment of academics, journalists, and workers who express opposition to Israel’s actions and the ideology of Zionism. The success of this campaign is considered crucial for protecting freedom of speech and academic inquiry on this contentious issue.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/03/05/qbfa-m05.html