StandWithUs is appalled that Brooklyn College’s Political Science Department has chosen to co-sponsor a forum on February 7, 2013 that features extremist, anti-Israel propaganda. While student clubs are certainly entitled to put on whatever events they wish that conform to school guidelines, it is reprehensible that a school department is willing to officially dignify this event. This forum, entitled “Judith Butler and Omar Barghouti: BDS Movement for Palestinian Rights,” will be an effort to promote bigotry, prejudice and hate against the Jewish state and its supporters.  For more information about the hypocrisy and hate of the BDS movement, see this film, this report on Barghouti, and a BDS ally admitting that the movement’s goal is the destruction of Israel.  Academic freedom must be protected, but the department’s sponsorship of this event lends credibility to rhetoric and lies that violate basic academic standards, makes it complicit in advocating an extremist agenda, and will suppress the free flow of ideas for students who may fear being penalized if they express support for the Jewish state. We urge the Political Science Department to withdraw its sponsorship.