Brandeis University revokes recognition of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter over support for Hamas and its promotion of violence.
By Dion J. Pierre, Algemeiner
Brandeis University in Massachusetts has revoked recognition of its chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) over its support for Hamas, forcing the group to cancel a “Vigil for Palestine” that had been scheduled for Monday night.
“This decision was not made lightly, as Brandeis is dedicated to upholding free speech principles, which have been codified in Brandeis’ Principles of Free Speech and Free Expression,” the university wrote in a letter obtained by multiple press outlets to SJP informing the group of its decision. However, the “National SJP has called on its chapters to engage in conduct that supports Hamas in its call for the violent elimination of Israel and the Jewish people. These tactics are not protected by the University’s Principles.”
As a result, the university made the decision that the Brandeis chapter of the National SJP organization “must be unrecognized and will no longer be eligible to receive funding, be permitted to conduct activities on campus, or use the Brandeis name and logo in promoting itself or its activities, including through social media channels.”
The letter noted that while students “who wish to express their support for the rights of Palestinian civilians” may form another student organization in compliance with university policies, SJP engages in conduct “in support of Hamas.” The letter also implied that SJP engages in conduct that threatens violence.
“With heavy hearts, we would like to announce that our chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine has been unjustly de-charted,” the Brandeis chapter of SJP announced on Instagram. “This comes as a part of Brandeis University, an institution that values social justice, trying to silence us from speaking our truth. We thank everyone who stood by us during this beautiful journey, and we encourage you to reach out to us if you need any kind of support. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. Until liberation, Students for Justice in Palestine.”
The decision came on the same day that Brandeis President Ronald D. Liebowitz wrote a column for the The Boston Globe in which he denounced pro-Hamas student groups that cheered the terrorist organization’s massacre of Israeli civilians on Oct. 7. He vowed that “Brandeis will ensure that groups that receive privileges through their affiliations with the university, including using its name, will lose their affiliations and privileges when they spew hate.”
The Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC), a nonprofit organization that describes its mission as inspiring college students to defend and be proud of Israel, cheered the latest decision by Brandeis.
“More colleges and universities must lead like this,” ICC CEO Jacob Baime tweeted. “Thank you, Brandeis University, for standing up against violence and hate.”
Baime, who is a Brandeis alumnus, shared more of his thoughts with The Algemeiner on Tuesday.
“Brandeis University was founded at a time when Jews were unwelcome at the same Ivy League schools where they feel unsafe today, and I applaud my alma mater for refusing to recognize a group calling for the murder of Jews and annihilation of Israel,” he said. “[Florida] Governor DeSantis was the first to set such a policy, but Brandeis University is the first school, public or private, to actually revoke recognition of this hate group. Others should do the same. Who’s next?”
Brandeis University’s opposition to extreme anti-Israel activity on campus is not new. Last year, the university canceled an institutional partnership with the Middle East Studies Association (MESA) after it endorsed the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.
Liebowitz, who has served as Brandeis’ president since 2016, on Monday described the BDS movement as “another blatant demonstration of antisemitism on campuses” for aiming “to dismantle the Jewish state and end the right to Jewish self-determination.”
Following Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, several SJP chapters and other pro-Palestinian student organizations declared solidarity with Hamas and circulated propaganda that rationalized its violence.