We Will Not Be Silenced: The Academic Repression of Israel's Critics

by William I. Robinson (Editor), Maryam S. Griffin (Editor), Richard A. Falk (Foreword)

"It is perhaps no surprise that as Israel drifts towards repression and reaction within, and becomes increasingly isolated internationally as a result of the harsh and criminal occupation, its informal lobby in the US becomes more desperate to stifle free and open discussion of the state they seek to protect. Efforts of the kind sampled here . . . are as deplorable as they are predictable, and should be dismissed with contempt, and strongly opposed." —Noam Chomsky "These testimonials provide a stunning and all too familiar portrait of the extent to which the forces that suppress free speech and academic freedom are at work in the US university system to stifle those who would call for social justice in Palestine. . . . These voices must be heard." —Bishop Desmond Tutu As criticism mounts over Israel's violation of Palestinian human rights and international law, campaigns to silence and repress those who speak out against Israeli apartheid and US complicity have grown alarmingly. Scholars have been denied jobs, refused tenure and promotion, rejected for funding, and expelled from institutions, while student organizations have faced harassment and sanctions. We Will Not Be Silenced offers thirteen powerful, firsthand testimonials from scholars and students whose struggle to defend their academic freedom and free speech has garnered widespread public and international attention. William I. Robinson is professor of sociology, global and international studies, and Latin American studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Maryam S. Griffin is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California, Davis.

Genres: Nonfiction

280 pages, Paperback

Published April 4, 2017

About the author

William I. Robinson is a professor of sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some testimonials were really compelling, others felt like whining. I think that has more to do with watching the ongoing destruction of Gaza and unfairly comparing the two. I also found it a bit hypocritical to put down the idea of requiring balanced perspectives for every single event in one testimonial and then have that followed with quite a few that question a lack of balance in perspective. I ultimately walk away not knowing which the editors of this collection thinks is better. I'm on the side that doesn't believe balance is necessary every time a speaker is invited to campus-- it's a ludicrous idea that I've never heard applied to any other lecture topic.

I do find it really interesting that nearly all the testimonials come out of California or New York. I'm curious to know why a wider geographic range wasn't represented.

Regardless, I think this book shines a strong light on how pro-Israeli-state organizations attempt to intimidate and lock down anyone they view as even remotely pro-Palestinian.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong essay collection. Presents a diversity of views within the pro-Palestine camp.

Read earlier this year so may be forgetting significant impressions. Rating 4 stars because the topic is important to me and I remember enjoying that it was academic, thoughtful writing.