Asna Tabassum was preparing for the greatest honor a student can have at an American university, in this case the University of Southern California: to be the valedictorian, the top student of her year, who would make the speech at the University’s annual function.
But Asna, who is the child of South Asian immigrants and a Muslim, has previously spoken out in favor of the Palestinians. The University cited “security reasons” and announced to her that this year there would be no speech by the master.
At New York’s Columbia University, the administration called in the police who arrested 108 students who were peacefully protesting in favor of the Palestinians.
In Germany, the University of Cologne revoked the invitation it had extended to American New School professor Nancy Fraser, one of the world’s best-known female philosophers, of Jewish origin, because she had taken a position in favor of the Palestinians.
In France, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of France Independent, the largest opposition party, was not allowed to hold an event at a university on the subject of Palestine with the Palestinian-born lawyer Rima Hassan, a candidate for the European elections. In fact, she was called to give an explanation to the judicial police, effectively accused of “glorifying terrorism”, even though she had explicitly condemned from the first moment what Hamas did on October 7, 2023.
In Germany, a Greek politician, former minister, Yanis Varoufakis saw not only the police raid an event for Palestine of the sister party of MeRA25 in Germany, but the police inform the organizers that he has been issued a charge against him by the Federal Ministry Abroad a Betätigungsverbot, i.e. a ban on political activity.
And these are just a few examples that show that we have reached the extreme point where the issue of freedom of speech begins.
Because the issue here is not who is right and who is wrong.
Undoubtedly the conflict in the Middle East is complex and all sides have responsibilities.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t talk. Equally, the complexity of the issue is what necessitates the essential discussion, which requires all voices to be heard, all sides to be illuminated, in order for the international community to contribute to achieving a fair and feasible solution.
And to discuss means that there is the possibility to hear different opinions, to hold events, to organize demonstrations.
That is, just as we would rightly be up in arms if someone suggested that a pro-Israel event be banned, or if they felt that those who support Israel’s right to self-defense cannot speak, so we must oppose any attempt to silence pro-Israel positions. of the Palestinians.
After all, if we disagree with something, we can always try to speak our mind.
This has always been the point of free speech. Securing debate and pluralism. It is the right to express opinions with which some may not agree.
Otherwise, we are already walking down dark and dangerous roads, with “cancellation culture” tending to become dominant and global society sliding into McCarthyism times.
