Pro-Palestinian groups say move is 'dangerous precedent' that equates Zionism with Judaism

New York University (NYU) has changed its guidelines around hate speech and harassment to include the criticism of Zionism as a discriminatory act.

“For many Jewish people, Zionism is a part of their Jewish identity. Speech and conduct that would violate the NDAH (non-discrimination and anti-harassment policy) if targeting Jewish or Israeli people can also violate the NDAH if directed toward Zionists,” read the new guidelines from NYU, which were released last Thursday.

The NYU chapter of Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine (NYU FSJP) released a statement on Sunday condemning the move, saying that it sets a dangerous precedent which could also shield other ethnonationalist movements, such as Hindu nationalism and Christian nationalism, from criticism.

“The new guidance sets a dangerous precedent by extending Title VI protections to anyone who adheres to Zionism, a nationalist political ideology, and troublingly equates criticism of Zionism with discrimination against Jewish people,” NYU FSJP said.

“The new NDAH guidance represents an intensification of NYU’s year-long effort to censor criticism and criminalize protest of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza,” NYU FSJP said in its latest statement.

  • DevCat@lemmy.worldEnglish
    504·
    3 months ago

    For many southerners, bigotry against non-whites is part of their identity. Are they saying the KKK should be a protected class? How can making a religion out of the belief that you deserve a particular piece of real estate be a protected class?

    Zionism is an ethno-cultural nationalist movement that emerged in Europe in the late 19th century and aimed for the establishment of a Jewish state through the colonization of a land outside of Europe.

    In other words, taking somebody else’s land.

    It eventually focused on the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, a region corresponding to the Land of Israel in Judaism, and of central importance in Jewish history.

    Specifically, Palestinian’s land.

    Following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Zionism became the ideology supporting the protection and development of Israel as a Jewish state and has been described as Israel’s national or state ideology.

    State religion. That never turns out bad, does it? /s

    Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zionism

    • almar_quigley@lemmy.world
      16·
      3 months ago

      I just wanna point out bigotry against nonwhites is in no way exclusively southern nor is it more prevalent in the south than other places. All your other points I completely agree with. Take a trip to the dakotas, Ohio, half the Midwest, anywhere rural even in progressive havens like Washington and Oregon. The list goes on.

      • shalafi@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        3 months ago

        nor is it more prevalent in the south

        Preach it brother! Hell, I’ve seen far less bigotry since moving South. No one wants to be seen as one of “those” Southerners.

      • DevCat@lemmy.world
        2·
        3 months ago

        I entirely agree. A former roommate’s mom moved to Montana, and they remarked, “It’s so white here”.

  • givesomefucks@lemmy.worldEnglish
    151·
    3 months ago

    Why isn’t anyone suing?

    If they do this but do t do the same for people saying Gaza shouldn’t be subject to a genocide, this smells like a giant fucking lawsuit.

    • FlowVoid@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      3 months ago

      Sue based on what?

      NYU is a private school. Private schools have wide latitude in their codes of conduct. They can prohibit dancing and rock and roll. They can certainly prohibit harassment of Zionists.

      They could even officially endorse Zionism as an institution, make students take a pro-Zionist curriculum, and make them attend synagogue.

  • Rottcodd@lemmy.world
    121·
    3 months ago

    I guarantee that the explanation for this would become very obvious if one were to simply, as the cliche has it, “follow the money.”