When Commitments to Free Speech and Against Antisemitism Collide
Preview:
Last month, the University of Pennsylvania hosted Palestine Writes, a literary conference that featured some speakers who were very critical of Israel, including Roger Waters, formerly of Pink Floyd, whose anti-Israel comments are seen by many as antisemitic. Jewish groups objected, but Penn president M. Elizabeth Magill decided that, while some of the participants had track records of “engaging in antisemitism,” the conference should go forward because Penn supports “the free exchange of ideas as central to our educational mission.”
Originally published: October 17, 2023
Author: Jeffrey Herbst
Position: President
Institution: American Jewish University
Published by: Inside Higher Ed