Identity of Speakers
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Brandeis University Chapter of National Students for Justice in Palestine
Student
OtherThe National Students for Justice in Palestine (National SJP) seeks to empower, unify, and support the Student Movement for Palestinian liberation.
Resources
Additional Information
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Incident Nature:
Rally or protest
Other
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Incident Political Orientation:
Not Clear -
Incident Responses:
Student sanctioned
Rally or Protests
Other
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Incident Status:
No litigation
- Was Speech Code incident
Summary
In November 2023, Brandeis University became the first private U.S. institution to ban its Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter, citing the group’s support for Hamas as a violation of the student code of conduct. The university’s decision followed a vigil organized by SJP to honor Palestinian lives lost in the Gaza conflict. Brandeis President Ronald Liebowitz stated that while the university supports free speech, it cannot permit expression that constitutes a genuine threat or harassment. He emphasized that students supporting Hamas were considered in violation of the university’s code of conduct. The SJP chapter disputed these claims, asserting that their activities were peaceful and did not endorse violence. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression criticized the university’s actions, stating that the slogans cited did not meet the legal criteria for incitement or harassment and that Brandeis was punishing students for protected political advocacy.
In April 2025, the university extended its efforts to regulate campus protests by banning face masks worn during demonstrations, following a protest by the Brandeis Jewish Bund that condemned the university’s response to the Israel-Gaza conflict. The administration cited concerns over antisemitic speech and enforced a no-trespassing policy alongside the mask ban. Civil liberties groups such as the ACLU and FIRE condemned this policy as an infringement on free expression and a form of viewpoint discrimination. These moves intensified ongoing debates about free speech, campus safety, and institutional responses to political activism.
The university’s decision sparked a broader debate about free speech and the suppression of dissent on college campuses. Critics argued that such actions may chill speech and foster an atmosphere of mutual suspicion, undermining the spirit of free inquiry. The situation at Brandeis reflected a wider trend across U.S. universities, where pro-Palestinian student groups faced increased scrutiny and disciplinary actions, raising concerns about balancing campus safety with free expression rights. In September 2024, amid mounting criticism over the university’s handling of these controversies alongside financial challenges, President Ronald Liebowitz announced his resignation following a faculty vote of no confidence, marking a significant leadership change at Brandeis.
