This morning, students from eighteen Brandeis Center law student chapters issued a statement in support of Dr. Ami Pedahzur, an Israel Studies professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Pedahzur had been assailed by anti-Israel activists for his effort to host an academic presentation on the Israeli Defense Forces. The full statement can be found below: November 25, 2015 On behalf of 18 chapters representing several hundred law students of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (LDB), we support Professor Ami Pedahzur, Director of the Institute for Israeli Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, and urge the University to address the upsetting disruption of free speech and expression that occurred on its campus on Friday, November 13.. Specifically, an anti-Israel group, the Palestine Solidarity Committee, disrupted an event hosted by Dr. Pedahzur, titled “The Origin of a Species: The Birth of the Israeli Defense Forces’ Military Culture,” featuring Stanford professor Dr. Gil-Li Vardi. At the event, the student disruptors showed no interest in engaging in dialogue or listening to the speaker. Rather, they argued that they refuse to talk to Israelis because they are all war criminals. They chanted things like, “Long live the Intifada!” and “We want [19]‘48, we don’t want two states!” It is incredibly disappointing and frightening that the protestors sought to intimidate and silence this speaker rather than engage with or challenge her ideas. Recently, there has been a trend of anti-Israel groups across the country attacking the free speech rights of pro-Israel speakers. Last week, LDB wrote to UT Austin President Gregory L. Fenves, urging him to remedy the situation. In his response letter, President Fenves wrote, “I encourage you to work productively with me to help promote a free and respectful exchange of ideas on campus.” The actions of PSC go against the core aims of universities to foster open learning and a diverse spectrum of ideas. This is an opportunity for the University of Texas to be a nationwide leader in condemning attacks on free speech and standing up for what is right. As both law students and members of LDB chapters, we support Professor Pedahzur, and urge the University of Texas to publicly show support for Professor Pedahzur, to help promote a free and respectful exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that this disruption of free speech and expression does not recur in the future. Signed: Cornell University School of Law, LDB Chapter Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, LDB Chapter Brooklyn Law School, LDB ChapterChicago Kent College of Law, LDB Chapter Chicago Kent College of Law, LDB Chapter City University of New York (CUNY) Law School, LDB Chapter DePaul University College of Law, Law LDB Chapter Emory University School of Law, LDB Chapter Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, LDB Chapter Northeastern University School of Law, LDB Chapter University of California – Berkeley School of Law, LDB Chapter University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law, LDB Chapter University of Chicago Law School, LDB Chapter University of Minnesota Law School, LDB Chapter University of Pennsylvania School of Law, LDB Chapter University of St. Thomas School of Law, LDB Chapter University of Virginia (UVA) School of Law, LDB Chapter University of Washington School of Law, LDB Chapter William Mitchell College of Law, LDB Chapter