Texas university bans students from chanting ‘From the river to the sea’
The University of Texas at San Antonio is facing backlash after banning prohibiting pro-Palestine student protesters from using certain phrases, including chanting in Arabic.
The university’s president is named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by pro-Palestinian students, who say that the university banned the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” – thus violating their right to free speech.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression told the university that it has a duty to protect students’ expression under the US Constitution’s First Amendment, which protects speech.
According to the organisation, the university recently banned student protesters from using the words “Zionism,” “Israel,” the chant “from the river to the sea,” and “speaking in Arabic” – under the guise of needing to crack down on anti-Semitism.
US military pier in Gaza resumes humanitarian operations
The US’ floating military pier off Gaza has resumed bringing humanitarian aid into the enclave after being suspended for two days because of rough seas due to weather, according to three US officials, Reuters news agency reported.
The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the sea conditions had improved, and aid was brought to a marshalling area.
The pier had previously been out of operation for 10 days for repairs. The UN said it would review security before resuming aid deliveries from the dock.
