Supporters of terrorism abusing freedom of speech - opinion

Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of democratic societies, allowing individuals to express their ideas and opinions without fear of censorship or persecution. However, in recent times, there has been a growing concern over the abuse of this fundamental right, particularly on university campuses, in corporate America, and within unions.

It is no secret that there is an urgent need for legislation to protect the integrity of freedom of speech, with a focus on specific instances of abuse, such as the constant condemnation of Israel in the United Nations and the targeting of Jewish students on campuses.

Democracy has been considered the beacon of freedom, protecting the rights of all individuals, including those with religious beliefs. Nevertheless, there are instances where religious values are disregarded under the pretext that they contradict certain political agendas.

It is crucial to recognize that democracy should safeguard the rights of all and uphold religious freedom as one of its fundamental principles. Legislation is needed to ensure that religious values are not treated as undemocratic simply because they do not align with specific ultra-leftist ideologies.

THE UNITED NATIONS, established with the aim of preventing atrocities such as the Holocaust, has unfortunately become a platform on which Israel is unjustly condemned. This condemnation is often driven by the underlying antisemitic sentiment that has plagued the world for centuries and brought countries with the blood of innocent Jews on their hands together under one roof in the name of peace.

In addition, it is shocking and disheartening to see countries with questionable human rights records, like Iran, being given positions on the Human Rights Committee, making the UN its mission and freedom of speech one big joke. Such appointments exemplify the abuse of freedom of speech and human rights values, originally intended to protect all individuals and ensure the equitable representation of voices – and eliminate those who don’t stand for these democratic values.

University campuses, which are meant to be bastions of intellectual growth and open discourse, have witnessed a disturbing trend of disguising attacks on Jewish students as support for political movements. Innocent civilians are being targeted for their religious and cultural beliefs, and this casts a dark shadow on the fundamental right to free expression.

Free speech laws need clear boundaries

It is important to note that if similar rally calls supported the murder of African Americans, universities would not tolerate them. Such inconsistency in the treatment of differing communities’ rights to freedom of speech highlights the need for legislation that defines clear boundaries.

An equally alarming trend has emerged in corporate America, where companies misuse their economic dominance to propagate harmful ideologies and endorse the killing of innocent civilians. This manipulation of company names and logos for abhorrent acts is not only morally reprehensible but also a blatant abuse of free speech. Such actions threaten the safety and well-being of individuals and go against the principles upon which freedom of speech is founded.

It’s distressing to watch how today’s new generations hide under the freedom of speech banner in various contexts which pose a significant threat both to the welfare of individuals and the overall integrity of the American people’s democratic values.

The condemnable actions witnessed in the United Nations, on university campuses, and in corporate America highlight the urgent need for legislation that clearly defines the boundaries and intended purpose of freedom of speech.

Such legislation would reaffirm freedom of speech as a means to protect and foster peace, tolerance, and the well-being of all individuals in society – and call out those who try to hide under the banner of freedom of speech with the true intentions of promoting terror and hate.

Failure to act swiftly in addressing this pressing issue would allow the enemies of democracy to exploit freedom of speech in a time of war – supporting terror and inflicting harm upon innocent individuals.

It is our duty to use common sense and that of the legislature to act immediately to help preserve the integrity of our democratic principles and ensure that freedom of speech serves its intended purpose.

The writer is founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber Of Commerce.