Canary Mission is a website that collects profiles of students, professors, and activist organizations, focusing primarily on those at North American universities, which it considers anti-Israel or anti-Semitic. The website was founded in 2014, and sparked widespread controversy because of its targeting of Palestinian activists and its undermining of freedom of expression.
The website is one of the Israeli government's tools to persecute and pressure students, professors, and other activists to discourage them from supporting the Palestinian cause in America.
What is Canary Mission?
Canary Mission claims to "document individuals and organizations spreading hatred against the United States, Israel, and Jews." But its critics see it as a tool to intimidate and intimidate political activists.
The site includes profiles of people who have participated in activities such as Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel, or have expressed support for Palestinian rights. These profiles include information such as people's names, photos, affiliations with universities or organizations, and their political activity.
Criticisms:
The site has been criticized by several groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR). In 2019, these groups demanded that Harvard end its ties with Canary Mission, arguing that it “creates an environment of fear and intimidation for Palestinian students, Arab students, and Muslim students.”
Canary Mission sparked widespread debate about freedom of expression and academic rights. Its critics see it as threatening freedom of expression by intimidating activists and undermining their ability to express their opinions. They also believe that it violates academic rights by creating an environment of fear and intimidation on campuses.
The site's arguments to defend itself
Canary Mission defends its work, saying it provides a “public service” by exposing “hate and intolerance”. But its critics :
"Canary Mission documents people and groups that promote hatred of the USA, Israel and Jews. We investigate hatred across the North American political spectrum, including the far-right, far-left and anti-Israel activists"
Important facts
- The site is anonymous, and does not reveal the names of the people who run or finance it.
- The site claims to only use "open source" information, but it has been accused of using illegally obtained information.
- The site has been used to target students and professors who have lost their jobs or been harassed because of their political activities.
Canary Mission is a controversial website that has sparked a heated debate about freedom of expression and academic rights. Its critics see it as threatening freedom of expression by intimidating activists and undermining their ability to express their opinions. They also believe that it violates academic rights by creating an environment of fear and intimidation on campuses.
Canary Mission, on the other hand, defends its work, saying it provides a “public service” by exposing “hate and intolerance.”
In the end, the controversy surrounding Canary Mission remains open.
Website link: Canary Mission