Saturday, March 30, 2024

Texas Bans College Criticism of Jews

Texas issued this Executive Order:
WHEREAS, Texas will continue to stand with Israel and support our Jewish neighbors in Texas; ...

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas, hereby direct all Texas higher education institutions to do the following:

1 . Review and update free speech policies to address the sharp rise in antisemitic speech and acts on university campuses and establish appropriate punishments, including expulsion from the institution.

2. Ensure that these policies are being enforced on campuses and that groups such as the Palestine Solidarity Committee and Students for Justice in Palestine are disciplined for violating these policies.

3. Include the definition of antisemitism, adopted by the State of Texas in Section 448.001 of the Texas Government Code, in university free speech policies to guide university personnel and students on what constitutes antisemitic speech

That refers to this definition of antisemitism:
Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to: ...

especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions. ...

Accusing the Jews ... of ... exaggerating the Holocaust.

claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor. ...

Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.

There probably is a sharp rise in Texas students comparing Israel to the Nazis. Aren't the students entitled to their opinions?

Why would the Texas governor do this? Texas Jews do not vote Republican. Neither do Texas Rrabs. Apparently the Jews have a lot of power over the governor's office. Except that saying that could get this blog banned at Texas colleges.

The Jews do not need this. They can defend Israel's war in Gaza on the merits.

1 comment:

CFT said...

From one extreme to another is not an improvement in any way, it's merely putting your thumb on the scales. Saying that it's wrong to advocate genocide is great... but saying that any considered criticism of Jews or Israel is antisemitism and shouldn't be allowed is also wrong.

NO ONE gets a pass on criticism, to submit to such blanket protections for any group is to acknowledge your overlord.