The Presidency’s Head of Communications, Fahrettin Altun, through a post on his social media account, responded to the pressures on academics supporting Palestine.
Head of Communications Altun stated in his post:
"Systematic efforts by pro-Israel groups to silence voices who respect human life and dignity in Palestine with false accusations of antisemitism are on the rise. Such activity has now reached some of the most reputable academic institutions in the U.S., such as Harvard, Columbia, Tufts, and others.
The entire world has witnessed a genocide in Palestine. Students, professors, and people of conscience have raised their voices against ethnic cleansing, occupation, and war. The Netanyahu government’s allies in the West have pursued a witch hunt against such intellectual bravery.
The latest target of Zionist McCarthyism has been Prof. Cemal Kafadar of Harvard, a world-renowned Ottoman historian. Prof. Kafadar has been removed from the chairmanship of Harvard’s Center for Middle East Studies based on clearly false and blatantly broad accusations of antisemitism.
American universities have claimed the moral high ground on academic freedom and freedom of expression for decades. However, this incident shows that these values do not apply when it comes to criticism of the policies of a genocidal government in Israel.
The American government’s pressure on universities, as well as the removal of individuals from the U.S. as a result of their opinions and activism for Palestine, goes against the fundamental values America has championed for so long.
We categorically reject any attempt to depict pro-Palestine activism as antisemitism. Under President Erdoğan’s leadership, we have always fought against antisemitism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia. We will continue to do so. There is no place for hate in our societies.
We call on U.S. and European academic institutions to stand against unreasonable and extremist requests to target international students and scholars based on their opinions or activism. This is the time to uphold universal values regardless of people’s national origin.
Zionist groups have long recognized that they have lost the battle for hearts and minds in the eyes of public opinion. They are now resorting to silencing legitimate criticism and peaceful activism through despicable tactics.
If they succeed, it will mean the betrayal of basic human values. Thankfully, there are many more brave souls around the world who will speak the truth no matter the cost.
Justice and peace will prevail!
Palestine will be free!"