Jewish group condemns use of antiterrorism laws to punish free speech and protest

Concerned Jewish Faculty & Staff says antiterrorism laws are being turned against protest itself. The group, which represents professors and other workers at more than 40 campuses across New England, accused President Donald Trump's administration of using security measures to punish free expression and dissent.

“

Equating protest with terrorism confirms the worst fears of critics in the early 2000s: that the so-called 'War on Terror' would undermine democratic society.

In a statement, CJFS pointed to the August 26 designation of the British group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization and the subsequent freezing of its assets in the United States. The organization said authorities used vandalism by Palestine Action members against arms manufacturers linked to the Israeli military as a pretext.

Palestine Action is based in the United Kingdom, where it has also been banned. CJFS noted that British authorities brought terrorism-related charges against seven people accused of causing damage in 2025 at Turnberry, Trump's golf resort in Scotland. It also highlighted the terrorism accusation against Fiona Godlee, the former editor of the British Medical Journal, over a sign reading, "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action."

“

Antiterrorism laws offer supposedly democratic governments a way to repress dissent and free expression, particularly in defense of Palestinian rights, under the pretext of security.

CJFS urged Jewish community organizations to reject the Trump administration's policy. "Equating protest with terrorism confirms the worst fears of critics in the early 2000s: that the so-called 'War on Terror' would undermine democratic society," the group said.

“

It is outrageous that both the U.S. and British governments are engaging in this abuse of power.

Zinaida Miller, a Northeastern University professor and specialist in international human rights law, described such prosecutions as troubling signs of "authoritarian decay" threatening free speech on university campuses and outside them. "Antiterrorism laws offer supposedly democratic governments a way to repress dissent and free expression, particularly in defense of Palestinian rights, under the pretext of security," Miller said. Aaron Shakow, a professor at Harvard Medical School, added that abusing the laws "does not protect Jews, either in Israel or in the diaspora."

“

Abusing antiterrorism laws does not protect Jews, either in Israel or in the diaspora.