Some 25 years ago, I had the privilege of serving as the University of Southern Maine’s Russell Chair, an honor that entailed offering public lectures and forums on a specified topic. My topic asked:  “Is the University Failing Democracy?” 

Today, I believe USM President Jacqueline Edmondson has embarrassingly answered that question in the affirmative.

I refer to Dr. Edmondson’s recent decision to cancel a conference on Palestine scheduled for USM’s Hannaford Hall. The alleged reason: one of the speakers, U.N. Special Rapporteur to  Palestine Francesca Albanese, was under sanction by the U.S. government. Although intellectually serious people with detailed knowledge of the sanctions law explained that the conditions of Albanese’s appearance (via televised setup, involving no payment) posed no legal problems, and although conference organizers offered to disinvite Albanese, Edmondson still canceled.

These facts suggest USM’s real reason: it feared offending Zionists by being critical of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and its land-theft and settler violence in the West Bank. 

Albanese has been a courageous voice on behalf of justice for Palestinians and condemnation of Israel’s over-the-top violence in Gaza. She pays a serious price for her courage: lies about what she actually says, blocked access to credit cards and bank accounts, loss of academic affiliation, travel restrictions and death threats against her and her family,

Such is the long arm of Israel and the U.S. against those speaking truthfully about Israel. Such is Israel’s ability to keep Americans from deciding for themselves the truth.

Robert M. Schaible
Professor emeritus, University of Southern Maine
Co-founder, Maine Voices for Palestinian Rights
Portland