Mae Ngai has aligned herself with figures and movements that demonize Jews. This rhetoric, combined with her statement that Israel engages in “aggression and terrorism,” amplifies antisemitic tropes by framing Jews as inherently malicious while ignoring the role of Palestinian factions in perpetuating conflict.
Mae Ngai Challenges Free Speech Under the Guise of Activism
Ngai’s history of advocacy includes signing a 2014 faculty letter opposing legislation aimed at countering the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. While the letter framed this as a defense of academic freedom, it functioned to protect efforts to economically and culturally isolate Jews. By promoting such positions, Ngai has contributed to an environment where one-sided narratives and violent activism overshadow balanced discourse on campus.
Historical Record of Antisemitic Sentiment
Ngai’s activism against Jews dates back decades, including a 1986 interview where she accused the Jewish state of “terrorizing” Lebanon and denying Palestinians a homeland. These statements reflect a long-standing pattern of vilifying Jews and their homeland, framing its existence as the central obstacle to peace in the region while absolving other parties of any responsibility whatsoever for perpetuating violence and conflict. This one-sided narrative promotes hate and misplaces blame.
