In a disturbing revival of McCarthy-era tactics, American universities have become battlegrounds where students and faculty members are targeted for their views on Israel. This modern witch hunt, however, is not against communists but those who dare to criticize Israeli policies. Shockingly, even Jewish students and faculty members are not spared from this assault. Behind this campaign lies a network of clandestine organizations with connections to Israeli intelligence, specifically the Shin Bet.
The echoes of McCarthyism are unmistakable. Today, university students and professors face scrutiny and persecution for their political beliefs. Pro-Israel groups like Canary Mission have taken on the role of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), creating blacklists and spreading fear among those who speak out against Israeli policies. These groups operate with an alarming level of secrecy and impunity, often backed by substantial financial resources from wealthy American donors.
Canary Mission, in particular, has become notorious for its aggressive tactics. This organization creates detailed profiles of students and professors who criticize Israel, publishing their personal information online. The aim is clear: to intimidate, harass, and silence dissent. The repercussions for those targeted are severe, affecting their academic and professional futures. Even tangential associations with pro-Palestinian activism can result in being blacklisted, as seen in the case of students involved with cultural clubs or campus organizations.
Physical intimidation accompanies online harassment. At George Washington University, for instance, two men dressed in yellow canary costumes appeared on campus to intimidate students ahead of a vote on a divestment resolution. Such actions are designed to create an atmosphere of fear and stifle political activism. Jewish students active in pro-Palestinian movements are also targeted, undermining the simplistic narrative that this campaign is solely about protecting Jewish interests.
The connections between these groups and Israeli intelligence are deeply troubling. Canary Mission acts as an intelligence asset for the Israeli Ministry of Strategic Affairs and the Shin Bet, collecting information on American students and professors. This information is used not only to suppress activism in the United States but also to prevent targeted individuals from entering Israel. The cases of Lara Alqasem and Professor Katherine Franke, who were detained and deported based on their Canary Mission profiles, highlight the reach and influence of these covert operations.
Funding for these activities often comes from anonymous donors channeled through Jewish community foundations. These foundations, while ostensibly charitable, have funneled millions of dollars to organizations like Canary Mission. The secrecy surrounding these donations raises serious ethical and legal questions, especially when American tax dollars indirectly support such espionage and intimidation.
The role of the Diller family and other wealthy donors in financing Canary Mission underscores the complicity of certain segments of the American elite in these operations. These donors enjoy substantial tax breaks for their contributions, effectively making American taxpayers subsidize the blacklisting and harassment of their own citizens.
The parallels to McCarthyism extend to the political sphere. Just as HUAC hearings sought to root out supposed communist sympathizers, contemporary congressional hearings focus on university presidents’ loyalty to Israel. This focus on campus politics distracts from the more significant issue of illegal espionage and covert action by Israeli entities within the United States. The lack of congressional oversight or FBI investigation into these activities reflects a troubling double standard in the enforcement of American law.
America’s blind eye to Israeli meddling in domestic affairs is a glaring inconsistency. If any other country engaged in such extensive interference, the FBI would be conducting counter-espionage investigations. Yet, Israel has been given the green light to influence American politics, from Congress to university boards. This unchecked interference not only compromises national integrity but also undermines the very principles of justice and democracy that America claims to uphold.
