In a recent move that has sparked controversy and criticism, the chancellor of the State University System of Florida, Ray Rodrigues, ordered the deactivation of chapters of the National Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) on Florida campuses.[0] The decision was made in consultation with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, citing the National SJP’s support of terrorism as the reason for the deactivation.[1]
The memo, sent to the presidents of Florida’s 12 state universities, specifically ordered the deactivation of two chapters of the SJP at the University of Florida and the University of South Florida. The governor’s spokesperson stated that the decision was made due to the groups’ connections to terrorism and their support of Hamas, the militant group engaged in conflict with Israel.
The state of Florida’s action to shut down pro-Palestinian student organizations on campuses is the first of its kind in the United States. The memo referenced a Florida law that makes it a felony to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, and claimed that the National SJP had identified itself as part of a terrorist-led attack called “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” which Hamas refers to as its attacks on Israel.[2]
The National SJP had released a toolkit leading up to a “Day of Resistance,” which referred to the Hamas attacks as “the resistance” and stated that Palestinian students in exile were part of the movement, not just in solidarity with it.[3] The memo from Rodrigues cited this as evidence of the group’s support for terrorism.[4]
While the SJP chapters are being deactivated, the memo also stated that the students would be allowed to form new organizations that comply with Florida state statutes and university policies, indicating that the issue is not with the students themselves but with the specific organization.[5]
The decision to shut down the SJP chapters has drawn criticism from various quarters. Critics argue that it infringes upon freedom of speech and sets a dangerous precedent for shutting down organizations that do not align with the ideals of the governor.[6] The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression stated that the directive is a threat to free speech and potentially unconstitutional.[5]
Governor DeSantis has also faced criticism for his comments regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas. He has stated that he would revoke the visas of international students who express support for Hamas terrorists if elected to the White House in 2024.[7] These comments have been seen as divisive and discriminatory by some.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has claimed the lives of both Israeli civilians and Palestinians. The deactivation of the SJP chapters in Florida is seen by some as a response to the ongoing conflict, with the state taking action against organizations that express support for Hamas.
Overall, the decision to deactivate the SJP chapters in Florida universities has sparked a debate about the limits of free speech and the role of universities in allowing or disallowing certain student organizations. It remains to be seen how this controversy will unfold and whether other states will follow Florida’s lead in taking action against pro-Palestinian student groups.
0. “Florida Ordered Students For Justice In Palestine Groups To Disband” Her Campus, 25 Oct. 2023, https://www.hercampus.com/culture/students-justice-palestine-florida-disband-memorandum
1. “Pro-Palestine group fights for right to exist as UF students walk-out” WCJB, 25 Oct. 2023, https://www.wcjb.com/2023/10/25/pro-palestine-group-fights-right-exist-uf-students-walk-out/
2. “Florida deactivates pro-Palestine student groups” WESH 2 Orlando, 25 Oct. 2023, https://www.wesh.com/article/palestine-student-groups-florida/45642015
3. “Florida pushes colleges to ‘deactivate’ Students for Justice in Palestine group” Cleveland Jewish News, 25 Oct. 2023, https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/jns/florida-pushes-colleges-to-deactivate-students-for-justice-in-palestine-group/article_b9bbc5d7-84ea-584c-93b0-7519b6294567.html
4. “DeSantis orders universities to shut down pro-Palestinian student clubs” WUFT, 26 Oct. 2023, https://www.wuft.org/news/2023/10/25/desantis-orders-universities-to-shut-down-pro-palestinian-student-clubs
5. “Ron DeSantis Is Violating Pro-Palestinian Students’ Free Speech Rights” Reason, 25 Oct. 2023, https://reason.com/2023/10/25/ron-desantis-palestinian-students-censorship-free-speech-israel
6. “Gov. Ron DeSantis moves to shut down Florida university pro-Palestine groups” Axios, 25 Oct. 2023, https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/10/25/desantis-shuts-down-usf-uf-pro-palestinian-groups
7. “DeSantis, Scott vow sanctions on colleges, students over Hamas support” The Hill, 21 Oct. 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4268861-desantis-scott-vow-sanctions-on-colleges-students-hamas/
