Florida State University System Orders Deactivation of All Students for Justice in Palestine Chapters Amidst Controversy Over Free Speech and Support for Terrorist Groups

The State University System of Florida has ordered the deactivation of all Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters on its 12 public universities. This comes as part of a crackdown on campus demonstrations and is due to the group’s “harmful support for terrorist groups,” according to a letter from the system’s chancellor, Ray Rodrigues.

The decision was made in consultation with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R). It follows a demonstration at George Washington University, where students affiliated with SJP projected slogans critical of the Israeli government on the wall of a library.

The move has sparked debate over the war between Israel and Hamas and the U.S. government’s foreign policy in the Middle East. Supporters of SJP argue that the organization is a peaceful advocacy group and that the decision to shut down its chapters is an attack on free speech.

Critics of SJP, however, point to the group’s support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to put economic and political pressure on Israel. They argue that the organization’s activities are not in line with the values of the university system.

The decision to shut down SJP chapters has been met with criticism from both sides of the debate. It remains to be seen how the university system will respond to the controversy and whether the decision will stand.