See the Emory Wheel, published in Jimmy Carter’s stomping grounds no less, for a great rebuttal to the silly notion that Israel’s supporters are stifling academia’s free speech:
Those who speak back to anti-Israel ideologues do so not to suppress criticism of Israel; academic freedom grants the professors the right to spew forth any academic meanderings they wish, but it does not make them free from being challenged for their thoughts . . . .
There is nothing unseemly about countering speech — even hateful speech — with more speech. In fact, that is the very heart of the University’s mission. These critics of Israel and Zionism claim that they are seeking solutions to difficult political situations through reasoned discourse, but their real intention seems to be to have only one side of the ideological discussion be heard — without the uncomfortable necessity of hearing other, dissenting views.
Related reading: Who’s Really Trembling?
(Hat tip: Anti-Racist Blog)
