Israel rejects extremist propaganda masquerading as academia, exposing hostile narratives pushed by anti-Israel activists.
A controversial conference leveling severe accusations against Israel’s prison authorities was removed from campus after exposure by Arutz Sheva, forcing organizers to relocate the event off university grounds.
The event, titled “Behind Bars,” sought to accuse Israel Prison Service personnel of systemic abuse, starvation, and killings—claims Israeli watchdogs labeled defamatory, inflammatory, and dangerously misleading. Following public scrutiny, Tel Aviv University withdrew campus approval.
Speakers were set to include representatives linked to activist NGOs such as Adalah, Physicians for Human Rights, and the Hadash Student Organization, groups frequently accused by critics of promoting hostile narratives against Israeli security forces while downplaying terrorism.
The move followed a sharply worded letter from B’Tsalmo to university president Ariel Porat, warning that the conference amounted to incitement against servicemembers, including students serving in reserves. B’Tsalmo CEO Shai Glick praised the cancellation, stating that campuses must not become platforms for demonization of those defending the state.
Backing the decision, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reaffirmed support for firm prison reforms led with IPS Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi, declaring that privileges for convicted terrorists are over and that Israel’s security forces deserve unwavering public support.
Israel’s stance underscores a clear message: academic freedom cannot be weaponized to legitimize hostile propaganda that mirrors the narratives of terror sympathizers and their regional enablers.
