As the Western world recognizes the Palestinian state, students and faculty reflect on the value of freedom of speech during times of political duress.
Repercussions have been seen for protesting in favor of Palestine, as seen by the almost 900 arrests made in the United Kingdom against demonstrators in support of Palestine in early September. The concern for freedom of speech has only amplified in light of Charlie Kirk’s murder, where several Americans have lost their jobs due to comments made about Kirk.
Jocelyn Stark, president of the College Democrats at Murray State, said while the organization has not seen repercussions for statements they have made in support of Palestine, other than online messages or comments from the community, they recognize that student organizations have certain protections that University employees may not benefit from. Stark says many faculty and staff may fear push back from the University, “especially more recently with Kentucky universities seeing professors being fired over speech.”
“Having the safety to talk about conflicts in general without fearing repercussions, as a student or club member, is extremely valuable and something we see as necessary on campus. With this conflict being a genocide supported by our own government, it’s even more important for our voices, even when in opposition, to be heard,” Stark said. “As a club, we encourage everyone on campus to become informed and involved in politics; part of that is becoming an advocate for issues we see that cause inequality without fear of having to conform our message because of retribution.”
Some faculty members, like Ihsan Alkhatib, have continued to express their opinions without fear of repercussions. Alkhatib, an associate professor of political science and sociology, has been vocal on social media and in interviews with other media outlets about his support of Palestine.
“In a democracy, freedom of speech is the most important right,” Alkhatib said. It’s in the First Amendment for a reason. Advocating for ending genocide and (promoting) peace and justice in historical Palestine should not be a controversial issue.”
Alkhatib describes the conflict as being apartheid or ethnic cleansing of Arab Palestinians by the Israel prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Today, the U.S. is giving unlimited support to Netanyahu, and this support enables his government to commit all kinds of atrocities and war crimes in the West Bank and a genocide in Gaza. And that has been on TV for almost two years!” Alkhatib said. “The world moved to recognize Palestine as a state as a response to Israel opting for genocide/Apartheid/ethnic cleansing. The world wants two states.”
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a long-running dispute, spanning several decades where tensions between Arab Palestinians and Jewish Israelis have amounted to major casualties. Much of the violence has been experienced in the Gaza Strip of Palestine, with the death toll surpassing 66,000, according to the Associated Press.
Israel, being its own state, exercises a considerable level of control over Gaza and wishes to exert full control over the Palestinian territories, says a press release from the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner. However, several western countries such as France, the United Kingdom, Canada and Malta have moved to formally recognize Palestine as its own state, joining a long list of countries and increasing pressure to end the nearly 80-year conflict.
“The recent recognition of Palestinian statehood is an amazing sign of progress, but ultimately still too slow,” Stark said. “The United States has still refused to condemn the ongoing genocide, opting to continue to fund Israel and support racist language that villainizes citizens. We support a free Palestine and a United States that doesn’t continue to fund injustices across the world. As Israel and the US has pointed out many times, the ultimate goal of this genocide is complete control over Gaza and their willingness to displace Palestinians in the process. The war crimes that have been committed and continue to be committed at the assistance of our government are horrific.”
Alkhatib and the College Democrats are only a small part of the immense support for Palestine seen in the United States, with the topic being widely discussed on social media.
“The world is changing on the Palestine issue. France, Canada, and other Western countries have recognized Palestine as a state,” Alkhatib said. “The US is also changing. Most young Americans sympathize with the Palestinians. The Gaza genocide has changed the world.”
The Murray State College Republicans were asked to comment but no response was received.
