Support For Free Speech

Dear Editor,

In an unusual dialogue between residents of the Hudson Valley and a local college president, the issue of free speech vs. the IHRA definition of antisemitism has taken center stage. Are students at Vassar College to be punished for pointing out the 20 thousand children who have been murdered in the Gaza genocide? The IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) defines antisemitism as any criticism of Israel, no matter what war crimes and crimes against humanity this apartheid state perpetrates on millions of Palestinians.

In a petition signed by over 600 community members, Vassar College is being asked to restore free speech on campus, regardless of how many wealthy alums and members of the board of directors threaten to withdraw their support. Despite attempts by the federal government to limit political speech on campuses all across this country.

According to the petition: “We, the citizens and residents of Dutchess and Ulster Counties urge our representatives in local, state, and national governing bodies, commissions, and schools not to confuse criticism of Israel with antisemitism. Adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition does exactly that. It includes eleven examples of antisemitism, seven of which claim that criticism of the state of Israel is antisemitic.”
This petition and its signatures were recently sent to the president of Vassar College, Dr. Elizabeth Bradley. She wrote in response: “At Vassar we wholeheartedly support the free exchange of ideas and expression. It is core to our identity, in fact. Vassar’s mission speaks to the importance of fostering engaged citizenship and respectful debate as essential components of preparing students to actively participate in their communities.”

The petitioners wrote back to President Bradley: “The premise of these intellectual explorations is basically misleading. The false conflation of antisemitism and criticism of Israel is a political ploy of a fascist leader who wants to dictate what is taught and what is discussed on all college campuses. If we can escape Trump’s wave of fascism in the present, scholars will eventually explore what made our colleges and universities so weak and easily manipulated.”

Fred Nagel
Rhinebeck