We participated in a Knesset Education Committee session focusing on the incitement coming from professors in Israeli academia, specifically against elected public officials and students
Alon Schvartzer, Director of Policy at Im Tirtzu, spoke at the Committee: “I have testimonies of dozens of cases from universities and colleges throughout the country, students who experienced the politicization of the academic world firsthand. Some of them are here today, but most are afraid to open their mouths for fear of persecution. The students are afraid”.
Naama Carmel, a student at the Hebrew University and member of Im Tirtzu’s Hebrew University branch, participated in the discussion as well. After the hearing, Carmel told Israel National News about the harsh feelings she and her friends had experienced following an altercation in the hallway of the University with Dr. Ofer Kasif – the instructor who called the Minister of Justice, Ayelet Shaked, several derogatory names. “We fear that our grades will be harmed,” said Carmel.
Daniella Ohana, former coordinator of Im Tirtzu’s Sapir College branch also gave testimony.
MK Yakov Margi summed up the turbulent debate: “The Committee requests that the heads of the universities and The Council for Higher Education of Israel tone down the ever-more radical discourse on campus. I urge professors: do not hide behind the altar of academic freedom. The Council must enforce a regulation that benefits students who were wronged because of their political views. This is not about academic freedom. Use of the terms Judeo-Nazi, settler-terrorist etc. is not academic freedom. ”
