Skidmore College Blocks Recognition of Progressive Zionists Club

Skidmore College denied recognition of a progressive Zionists club on March 13.

The Algemeiner reported that the club, Progressive Zionists for Peace (PZP), was told by Skidmore’s Club Affairs Committee that their application for a trial period was not accepted due to concerns “that a dialogue focused club with one perspective being conveyed could be troublesome” and that the club needs to “try to either gain more diverse perspectives before becoming a club focused on dialogue or reframe the mission to be more advocate focused with a specific stance.”

Nessa Goldhirsch Brown, one of the co-founders of the club, told The Algemeiner that the college’s decision showed “political bias” given that the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) club was recently granted a trial period. “Zionism is an issue close to our hearts and we are enraged and disappointed that our school is clearly lenient towards some social/political issues but not others.”

Jewish groups denounced the committee’s decision. “Simple explanation for @SkidmoreCollege denial,” the Simon Wiesenthal Center tweeted. “No Zionists, however progressive need apply. Free speech? At Skidmore it’s overrated!”

Simple explanation for @SkidmoreCollege denial. No Zionists, however progressive need apply. Free speech? At Skidmore it’s overrated!https://t.co/jTI0dJ5qQ2

— SimonWiesenthalCntr (@simonwiesenthal) March 15, 2021

The Stop Antisemitism.org watchdog similarly tweeted, “Skidmore College: ‘Social Justice for Palestine’ has our full support. Also Skidmore College: Progressive Zionists for Peace’ DENIED. Why is this discrimination being allowed at your school @SkidmoreCollege?!”

Skidmore College: 'Social Justice for Palestine' has our full support.

Also Skidmore College: Progressive Zionists for Peace' DENIED.

Why is this discrimination being allowed at your school @SkidmoreCollege?! pic.twitter.com/lczL6Swmlx

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) March 16, 2021

The New Zionist Congress, a group-co-founded by George Washington University student Blake Flayton, also tweeted, “Jewish students are facing blatant discrimination and demonization. It is unacceptable. We stand in solidarity with ‘Progressive Zionists for Peace’ at Skidmore College.”

Jewish students are facing blatant discrimination and demonization. It is unacceptable. We stand in solidarity with “Progressive Zionists for Peace” at Skidmore College. https://t.co/WiKaliWxl9

— New Zionist Congress (@newzionists) March 18, 2021

Sabrina Conza, a program analyst for the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education’s Individual Rights Defense Program, wrote in a March 17 letter to Skidmore College that the committee’s reasons for denying the club’s trial period were insufficient, noting that the college guarantees the right “to debate opinions both publicly and privately.” She also pointed out that the college has both a College Democrats and College Republicans on campus, and that the “risk of dissent or disagreement” didn’t prevent the SJP club from being approved for their trial period.

“As a college that purports to protect the expressive and associational rights of its students, Skidmore must reverse course and ensure that PZP is provided the trial period it needs in order to become a chartered student organization,” Conza wrote.

Sara Miga, Director of External Relations and Strategic Communications at Skidmore College, told the Journal that PZP “was not officially denied a club trial period by Skidmore’s Club Affairs Committee. Rather, they were asked to return at a later date to clarify their mission and goals.” She added that PZP will be meeting with the Club Affairs Committee on March 19 “to engage in this follow-up discussion to address any miscommunications or misunderstandings.” When asked by the Journal on what PZP specifically needed to clarify in their mission statement and goals, Miga replied that she didn’t have any additional information to provide.