College campuses are notorious for being a refuge for difficult conversations and dialogue. Universities like UW-Madison bring together some of the best, brightest, and most diverse minds from around the world to engage on some of the most pressing issues of our time. Not only is free speech fundamental to our constitutional democracy and our campus, but it also catalyzes and sparks meaningful change.
Yet too often, we see self-proclaimed defenders of free speech become selective in their principles: eager to speak but unwilling to listen. That contradiction was on full display during last Tuesday night’s (4/1/2025) event with former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield - an event hijacked by members of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), who rejected dialogue in favor of silencing those they disagree with.
About myself: I am a proud Jewish student and Zionist. Those identities often draw wrongful assumptions and mistaken backlash, which disallow my point of view. If reading those words makes you want to stop reading, it likely means you don't understand what Zionism stands for and aren't prepared to participate in respectful and thoughtful dialogue needed to understand the complex issue that is Israel-Palestine.
I decided to write this article not only from a place of personal identity but from a deep belief in the values and importance of free speech. As a strong defender of our First Amendment rights, and while I often disagree with the views and speech of groups like SJP or BDS, I respect their right to express them (well, not the egregiously antisemitic slurs). However, respect for freedom of speech must be a two-way street. SJP cannot use the speech rights they've been granted as a pillar of freedom in this country to prohibit others from doing the same, and that’s why I’m speaking up. You can't protest against 'Israeli oppression' while simultaneously oppressing the views of those who disagree with you.
Unfortunately, this hypocrisy has been on full display since the start of last year's Israel-Hamas war and was very evident when the La Follette School of Public Affairs hosted Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield for a talk titled The Art of Negotiation. As someone deeply invested in international affairs, I was excited to attend the event and hear from a career diplomat with decades of experience regarding this conflict and many others worldwide that don’t get the duplicate headlines Israel does.
Earlier that day, I saw on Instagram that SJP planned to protest the Ambassador’s speech due to her alleged complicity in “genocide.” But despite their theatrics, I wouldn’t be intimidated into not attending. Despite SJP's rallies, where they repeatedly use violent chants like 'Globalizing the Intifada,' I wasn't going to fall victim to their fear tactics.
As I approached Memorial Union about twenty minutes before the event started, I could already hear the megaphones in the distance echoing chants like “From the River to the Sea.” As I reached the front steps of the union, I was confronted with intimidating glares from several protesters. Many of them were covering their faces with kaffiyehs to conceal their identities. This is just my take, but if a cause requires anonymity, maybe the cause isn't all that just.
Anyways, they must’ve noticed the bright yellow ribbon I wore in solidarity with the hostages still being held in inhumane conditions by Hamas. Some may see that as a political statement, but calling for the release of innocent people should never be political. And if it is to you, it might be time to reevaluate your values.
However, their protest outside was just the prologue for the real disruption once the event began. About ten minutes into the conversation with the Ambassador, a small group of protestors stood up suddenly with megaphones and posters. They started shouting false and nasty accusations at the distinguished Ambassador. Not letting her utter a response back, they even began accusing her of saying more bogus things, like all Palestinians in Gaza are terrorists. Let me be very clear: she never said that. Anyone can verify this by checking the event transcript. But I wasn’t surprised they claimed she said it - false accusations are a go-to tactic of SJP’s misinformation campaign.
The Ambassador could’ve ignored the protestors and decided to proceed with the organized questioning format, but as a seasoned diplomat, she chose to respond. They finally allowed her to speak until they realized her answer didn’t fit their narrative. That moment perfectly captured SJP’s core contradiction: free speech for me, not for thee.
I understand their reluctance to hear from someone who didn’t learn about this issue overnight on TikTok or other social media. Still, their lack of maturity to handle this situation with any ounce of gratitude, respect, or open-mindedness continues to move their issue, which they claim to champion, to the fringes of our political discourse.
Once again, this disruption perfectly captured why so many are tired of the theatrics of this movement, from Jewish students who have had to shield themselves from their dehumanizing rhetoric to the UWPD officers forced to protect these protestors (even as they’ve been likened to the KKK), and to the broader public who has come to realize this group isn’t interested in conversation or respectful dialogue - just disruption.
Notably, while their stated agenda is about freeing the Palestinian people and recognizing their right to self-determination, they’ve done the exact opposite. Let me make it clear. These performative stunts over the last year and a half in the name of Palestine haven’t actually "freed Palestine" or freed the people living under a terrorist regime and Sharia law. What their actions have done is, unfortunately, undermine the credibility and future opportunities for those genuinely committed to Palestinian rights and dignity to have a seat at the table.
I believe last Tuesday night proved what many in my community already knew: these students are not interested in bridging divides, only exploiting them. They preach justice, yet their behavior undermines every effort to create understanding, drive policy change, or support genuine efforts on the ground to help the catastrophic fallout from this war. Screaming at a U.S. Ambassador who has dedicated her life to assisting vulnerable communities didn’t help fix the suffering of Gazans. It didn’t free any Israeli hostages. It didn’t end this brutal war. It only further divided our campus and our future generation of world leaders.
I recognize the genuine pain many Palestinians have experienced. I pray for this war to end and remain hopeful for peace. But real change will never come from drowning out those you disagree with. It comes from having the guts to sit down, listen humbly, and engage with people who see the world differently.
While I remain hopeful for honest dialogue, the irony and hypocrisy of the situation cannot be ignored. Vandalizing buildings, blocking traffic, protesting outside a campus Hillel, tearing down hostage posters, or marching through Bascom Hall accusing our Jewish chancellor of committing genocide did not strengthen their cause; it weakened it and did nothing to advance the goals they claim to support.
If they genuinely care about the suffering of innocent people in Gaza, maybe they should stop shouting and start listening, and pave the way for those who want to bring pragmatism back to our political discourse.
