SJP Background and History (Short Version)
By Ilana Maymind
This is a short version of a 74-page report entitled “National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP). Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). Antisemitism, Anti-Americanism, Violent Extremism and the Threat to North American Universities” (2024). This report is compiled by the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy
https://isgap.org/
The full version of this report can be obtained on the website indicated above.
To situate this discussion, the report gives the information (abbreviated here) of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP and its national body, National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP). It notes that these organizations were established with the stated purpose of advocating for Palestinian rights on American college campuses. However, over time, these groups have garnered significant controversy due to the antisemitic undertones that often accompany their activities and rhetoric.
While SJP presents itself as a social justice movement, their actions frequently cross the line into antisemitism. This includes not just opposition to the policies of the Israeli government, but also targeting Jewish students and fostering a campus environment that is hostile to Jews. The rhetoric used by SJP often conflates Zionism, the movement for the self-determination of the Jewish people, with broader and more insidious claims against Jews, fueling tensions and contributing to a climate of fear and division on campuses. The above-mentioned organizations bleed into American Muslims for Palestine and Americans for Justice in Palestine discussed below.
AMP and AJP
American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) and Americans for Justice in Palestine (AJP) are organizations that provide significant support to SJP and NSJP, both financially and ideologically. These organizations play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative that SJP promotes on college campuses. This narrative often includes antisemitic themes, disguised as legitimate criticism of Israel.
AMP, in particular, has been instrumental in organizing national conferences where SJP members are encouraged to adopt more aggressive and confrontational tactics. These gatherings frequently feature speakers and materials that not only denounce Israel but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes about Jews. The messaging promoted at these conferences often blurs the line between anti-Zionism and antisemitism, fostering a culture in which Jewish students feel unsafe and targeted. To understand the actions undertaken by these organizations, this report examines their approach and tactics (abbreviated below).
Examination of SJP’s Messaging and Recruitment Tactics
SJP’s messaging is crafted to appeal to students who are passionate about human rights and social justice. However, this messaging is often laced with antisemitic content. For instance, SJP’s use of the "Apartheid Wall" displays and the organization of "Israeli Apartheid Week" are not merely critiques of Israeli policies but are also designed to demonize Israel as a uniquely evil state. This demonization extends to Jews who support Israel, who are frequently labeled as complicit in oppression and violence.
Recruitment tactics used by SJP emphasize the idea that supporting Palestinian rights requires opposing Israel and, by extension, Zionism. However, this opposition often manifests as hostility towards Jews in general, particularly those who identify as Zionists. Jewish students who voice support for Israel or express their Jewish identity are sometimes ostracized or accused of being oppressors, contributing to a campus environment where they feel alienated or threatened.
It is important to note that these organizations receive broad and consistent financial support. However, the sources of this support lack transparency. The lack of transparency is undoubtedly intentional.
Narrative on Fiscal Responsibilities and Oversight
The financial structures supporting SJP and NSJP, facilitated by AMP and other entities, are complex and often opaque, making it difficult to trace the flow of money. This lack of transparency is particularly concerning given the use of these funds to promote activities and materials that include antisemitic content.
By operating through a decentralized model and utilizing fiscal sponsorships, SJP and NSJP evade direct scrutiny and continue promoting their agenda without significant oversight. The narrative of victimhood and resistance that they promote, funded by these sponsorships, is a key part of their broader strategy to position Israel as the ultimate villain and to delegitimize Jewish self-determination.
NSJP’s Involvement with and Support for PFLP
The relationship between NSJP and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) is a particularly troubling aspect of the report. The PFLP is a designated terrorist organization that has a long history of targeting Jews, not just in Israel but around the world. NSJP’s alignment with PFLP’s goals and methods, which include violence and terror, underscores the antisemitic foundations of its ideology.
By supporting a group like PFLP, NSJP is effectively endorsing a worldview that justifies violence against Jews as part of the struggle against Israel. This association raises serious concerns about the potential for radicalization among students involved in NSJP and the broader implications for campus safety and the well-being of Jewish students.
US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR) and Palestine Legal
The US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR) and Palestine Legal are organizations that offer critical support to SJP and NSJP. While they claim to defend the rights of activists, their activities often serve to shield antisemitic behavior from criticism and consequences. USCPR, for instance, provides strategic and financial support to SJP chapters, helping to sustain their operations and amplify their message.
Palestine Legal, meanwhile, focuses on defending activists who face legal challenges related to their pro-Palestinian advocacy. However, in many cases, this advocacy crosses the line into antisemitism. By defending these actions as mere political speech, Palestine Legal contributes to a climate in which antisemitic rhetoric and actions are normalized on college campuses.
Policy Recommendations
The report’s policy recommendations are designed to address the antisemitism prevalent in SJP and NSJP’s activities. One of the most significant recommendations is for universities to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which recognizes anti-Zionism is, in fact, antisemitic. This would provide a clearer framework for identifying and addressing antisemitism on campus.
Additionally, the report calls for increased transparency and accountability in the financial dealings of student organizations like SJP. By imposing stricter oversight on fiscal sponsorships and requiring more detailed financial reporting, universities can help ensure that funds are not being used to support antisemitic activities.
Finally, the report suggests that universities should offer better education and training on antisemitism, particularly in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict. This would help to foster a more informed and respectful dialogue on campus, where students can express their views without resorting to hate speech or discrimination.
Specific Examples of Antisemitic and Anti-Israel Efforts
1. "Apartheid Wall" Displays:
o One of SJP’s most visible and provocative efforts is the construction of "Apartheid Wall" displays on college campuses. These large, mock walls are meant to represent the security barrier between Israel and the West Bank, but the messaging often goes beyond criticism of Israeli policies. The displays frequently include images and statements that equate Israel with apartheid South Africa, portraying Israel as a racist and oppressive state. The wall’s imagery and messaging not only demonize Israel but also often include elements that evoke classic antisemitic tropes, such as depicting Jews as colonizers or oppressors.
2. Israeli Apartheid Week:
o During Israeli Apartheid Week, SJP chapters across the country organize events aimed at highlighting what they describe as Israel's "apartheid policies" against Palestinians. These events include lectures, film screenings, and panel discussions, many of which feature speakers who are openly hostile to Israel and, by extension, to Jews who support Israel. The language used during these events often crosses into antisemitism, with speakers and materials accusing Israel of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and other crimes, often in ways that are not based on factual evidence but rather on inflammatory rhetoric designed to incite hatred.
3. Anti-Israel Resolutions:
o SJP chapters frequently spearhead efforts to pass anti-Israel resolutions in student governments, particularly those calling for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel. These resolutions are not just political statements but are part of a broader campaign to isolate and delegitimize Israel. The debate surrounding these resolutions often becomes highly charged, with Jewish students who oppose BDS being accused of supporting apartheid and genocide. The toxic atmosphere created by these debates often leads to Jewish students feeling targeted and harassed simply for expressing their identity or support for Israel.
4. Hostility Towards Jewish Students and Groups:
o SJP’s activities often create a hostile environment for Jewish students, particularly those who are openly Zionist or involved in Jewish campus organizations. In many instances, Jewish students have reported being excluded from campus events or coalitions if they do not denounce Israel. For example, during student government debates over BDS resolutions, Jewish students are sometimes accused of dual loyalty or labeled as oppressors simply for supporting the existence of Israel. This has led to numerous reports of Jewish students feeling marginalized and unsafe on campuses where SJP is particularly active.
5. Glorification of Terrorist Groups:
o NSJP has been criticized for its associations with and support for groups like the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a designated terrorist organization. At NSJP conferences and events, there have been instances where PFLP leaders are praised, and their actions against Israel, including violence, are glorified. This not only sends a message of support for terrorism but also contributes to the demonization of Israel and, by extension, the Jewish people. Such actions blur the line between political activism and endorsing violence, raising serious concerns about the impact on campus safety and the radicalization of students.
6. Social Media Campaigns:
o SJP and NSJP actively use social media to spread their message, often sharing content that demonizes Israel and perpetuates antisemitic narratives. This includes memes, infographics, and posts that accuse Israel of apartheid, genocide, and ethnic cleansing, often without context or accuracy. These campaigns are designed to be viral, aiming to influence public opinion among students who may not be well-versed in the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The one-sided portrayal of Israel as an evil state contributes to a broader culture of hostility towards Jews, particularly those who identify as Zionists.
7. Disruption of Pro-Israel Events:
o There have been multiple incidents where SJP members have disrupted events organized by pro-Israel groups on campus. These disruptions often involve shouting down speakers, blocking entrances, or staging protests that prevent the event from proceeding. The goal of these actions is to silence pro-Israel voices and to create an atmosphere of intimidation. Jewish students attending these events have reported feeling harassed and threatened, as the disruptions are often accompanied by chants and signs that equate Zionism with racism and apartheid.
These examples highlight how SJP and NSJP's activities, while framed as advocacy for Palestinian rights, often involve efforts that cross the line into antisemitism and contribute to an environment of hostility towards Israel and Jewish students on campus. This behavior has led to significant concerns about the safety and inclusion of Jewish students, as well as the broader implications for campus discourse on the Israel-Palestine conflict.