On campuses, students have faced disciplined for peaceful protests and professors forced to defend their research projects related to Palestine. Events at public venues have been canceled in response to pressure campaigns. Local, provincial and national government actors have introduced bylaws, motions and legislation targeting BDS campaigns.

Outright censorship of those who contemplate critically discussing this issue — as well as self-censorship to avoid backlash — is pervasive.

Untold numbers of other instances of students, academics, activists and ordinary people all over the country go unreported, with many electing to keep quiet out of fear of losing their job or facing increased scrutiny for their views.

We work to confront this widespread suppression of Palestine advocacy by representing, advising and providing legal education to activists and communities who stand up for justice in Palestine.

How is speech in support of Palestine being silenced?  

False and Inflammatory Accusations of Anti-Semitism and Support for Terrorism: While anti-Semitism exists and must be confronted and condemned, the conflation of criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism is a harmful distortion of and distraction from real anti-Semitism, and from the human rights issues that advocates for Palestinian rights raise. Unfortunately, many people are labeled anti-Semitic for criticizing Israel’s policies. Activists supporting Palestinian human rights are also frequently falsely accused of supporting terrorism. This can have severe consequences, often bringing undue law enforcement scrutiny upon individuals and groups.

Official Denunciation: Institutional actors, often in response to outside pressure, pronounce official disproval of views supporting Palestinian rights, frequently by mischaracterizing Palestine activism, particularly support for BDS, as uncivil, divisive or improperly “delegitimizing” Israel.

Bureaucratic Barriers: Universities increasingly resort to various bureaucratic measures that hinder students organizing for Palestinian rights. When students have difficulties reserving rooms, getting their events approved, are required to pay for or accept extensive security measures at their events, or are called in to discuss the details of their events with administrators, it forces them to expend resources defending their activities rather than organizing.

Cancellations and Alterations of Academic and Cultural Events: Institutions respond to pressure to cancel or alter academic and cultural programs from Israel advocacy groups.

Administrative Sanctions: Universities often respond to complaints by Israel advocacy groups by disproportionally investigating and punishing students and student groups for speech supporting Palestinian rights.  Student groups have been denied standing in their universities.  Students wishing to do internships in Palestine have been denied doing so by their university administration.

Threats to Academic Freedom: Academics perceived to be critical of Israeli policies or sympathetic to Palestinian human rights are frequently targeted by Israel advocacy groups. Campaigns against faculty sully reputations and have even led to termination of employment.

Lawsuits and Legal Threats: Lawsuits, administrative civil rights complaints and threats of lawsuits against groups engaged in boycott campaigns or speech critical of Israel have largely been unsuccessful. They nevertheless exact a significant emotional and financial toll.

Legislation: In the United States since 2015, twenty-five states have enacted laws aimed at restricting and chilling support for Palestinian rights. Most of these laws prohibit state governments from entering into contracts with individuals, organizations, and/or companies that support boycotts for Palestinian rights. There was an attempt to introduce similar legislation in Ontario in 2016.  In the same year the Federal Government and Government of Ontario passed Motions that condemned BDS, as did at least one municipality.   Currently three city governments have defeated the implementation of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, however in Ontario this legislation is currently moving through the decision-making process.  This definition if passed could lead to further violations of Charter-protected rights to freedom of expression.