Free Speech and Anti-Semitism at the University of Pennsylvania

These are, of course, not heartfelt sentiments from the leader of a school trying to set a precedent by yanking tenure away from one of its own professors for her politically incorrect statements.

“Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? ² The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed…” Psalm 2:1-2

No, Magill draped herself in the mantle of free expression as the school played host over the weekend to the Palestine Writes festival, which included a gaggle of anti-Semites. Among them was the former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters, who has donned Nazi regalia and hung an inflatable pig adorned with a Jewish star from the rafters at his concerts.

In her statement, Magill noted that “many have raised deep concerns” about the anti-Semitic views of some of the speakers. She did not indicate whether she shared them. The school newspaper noted “past comments labeled as antisemitic by some.” In other words: That’s just your opinion, man! Meanwhile, the atmosphere on campus in Philadelphia is such that, in the past week, the university Chabad’s sukkah and Hillel buildings were vandalized, and a swastika was found at a university building.