Controversial Israeli Bill Seeks to Fire Academics for ‘Supporting Terror,’ Sparking Claims of McCarthyism and Democracy Erosion
JERUSALEM, Israel — Israel’s education minister and the national union of students have endorsed a draft law which critics, including leaders of the country’s top universities, are condemning as a restrictive measure on academic freedom and an echo of historic McCarthyist tactics. The proposed legislation, which has passed the first of four required readings by the Knesset, would empower a government-appointed committee to dismiss academic staff found to be expressing “support for terror.” Under the draft law, if universities failed to comply with dismissals ordered by this committee, they would face potential cuts in funding. … Read more