Caption for photos: Photos are from the anti-Israel demonstrations at UNC, April 2024
When did the word “Palestine” creep into the American lexicon? Up until ten years ago the word was not often heard. Why is it so common now? Why do people speak of a war between “Israel and Palestine” when the latter doesn’t even exist?
As George Orwell said, “there is no swifter route to the corruption of thought than through the corruption of language.” And so, it is with the word “Palestine.” It is being used as a weapon to erase Israel and, with it, Jewish history.
How did this happen? Not surprisingly, our academic institutions have been leading the way. At the University of North Carolina (UNC) there is a course called “Imagining Palestine” taught by notorious antisemite Nadia Yaqub. Since UNC is a public institution, taxpayers are paying to promote a fantasy of “Palestine” that evidently replaces Israel.
Our publication in the Carolina Journal outlines efforts to learn more about the course content, and the stonewalling that ensued. At a time when the use of taxpayer dollars is under scrutiny, courses that promote antisemitic ideology should be reviewed seriously. Free speech is one thing, but promoting Jew hatred and Hamas ideology is another.
This is not just a problem in North Carolina. Schools all over the country are complicit. We encourage readers from other states to review similar courses offered at their public institutions and take action.
Thank you for your advocacy. We at NCCI wish our Jewish friends a happy Passover, chag sameach, and a happy Easter to our Christian friends!
