Tufts University and Near East "Colonialism"

For John, BLUF:  Do you think students will feel free to have divergent opinions?  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Tufts University Stands by New ‘Colonizing Palestine’ Course

From The Algemeiner, by Reporter Jackson Richman, 26 August 2018.

Here is the lede plus three:

Despite pushback from students and several Jewish organizations, Tufts University is standing by a controversial new course that it plans to offer this Fall, titled “Colonizing Palestine.”

“As we have stated previously, Tufts is committed to the free exchange of ideas and provides students with access to a broad spectrum of courses that enable them to become familiar with a variety of perspectives on important and complex issues,” Tufts spokesperson Patrick Collins told JNS, which first reported the story on August 15.

“We support all faculty members’ right to academic freedom, while understanding that support does not imply endorsement of any particular point of view that a faculty member might espouse,” he continued.  “We recognize that there are a variety of viewpoints and beliefs within the Tufts’ community, and we embrace opportunities to foster improved understanding and engagement across divergent perspectives.”

According to the class description, the course proposes to “explore the history and culture of modern Palestine and the centrality of colonialism in the making of this contested and symbolically potent territory.”

We are seeing a new and more indirect form of anti-Semitism.  It is in the form of an anti-Israeli approach, often supported by a belief that all Palestinians should be allowed to immigrate to Israel, thus swamping the native population.  And where will the Jews of Israel go?  I suggest North and South Dakota.

And, while morally repugnant, this form of anti-Semitism is Constitutionally acceptable, under the First Amendment.  And under the Ninth Amendment, which covers the right to be stupid.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff