On Feb. 19, the Office of the President of SUNY Oswego sent an email to the student body, signed by President Peter Nwosu, to address vandalism related to the international conflict between Israel and Palestine. However, while the foundational message of the address was the university’s commitment to maintaining a safe space for all students, some read the email as equating the phrase “Free Palestine” to hate speech, which led to rapid criticism on SUNY Oswego’s YikYak page and across campus.

“Late last week, two disturbing incidents of defacement of university property were reported, both pertaining to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” the email stated. “The first was a statement spray painted outside Tyler Hall; the second was the inappropriate hanging of a sign in the [Marano Campus Center].”

The incident involving Tyler Hall was graffiti of the words “Free Palestine,” a phrase synonymous with the “Free Palestine Movement” pushed to the forefront of the media in response to the spontaneous Israeli-Palestinian War. In Marano Campus Center, the same phrase hung below the “Welcome Desk” signage adjacent to the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall, stretching across the front-facing wall in plain view of visitors and students.

The university’s official statement regarding the two incidents highlighted the institution’s goal to identify those responsible for the recent statements on campus.

In addition, the email stressed the balance between free speech and the need for an inclusive space for all demographics, regardless of political, religious or social labels.

“Our campus is meant to be a safe and welcoming environment for all individuals, regardless of their background or beliefs,” the email stated.

“I want to be clear and remind all members of the campus community that hate speech, or any speech that instills fear, has no place at SUNY Oswego,” said the email. “Such behavior is antithetical to our values of diversity, inclusion, and respect for differing viewpoints. While we uphold the rights of freedom of speech and expression, acts of vandalism and hate speech not only undermine our campus environment but also deeply affect the sense of belonging and safety of our community members.”

The inclusion of the term “hate speech” next to the discussion of the “Free Palestine” markings created a combination that was interpreted several different ways. The United Nations defines “hate speech” as “offensive discourse targeting a group or an individual based on inherent characteristics,” the magnitude of the correlation did not go unnoticed.

“Calling ‘Free Palestine’ hate speech is a crazy hot take from the president,” a user on the SUNY Oswego YikYak wrote. “‘Free Palestine’ is not hateful in any way,’ another user wrote. 

On the ground, more writing was etched across campus, including on bulletin boards in Lanigan Hall and Marano Campus Center, with the former presenting “Human rights is not hate speech, free Gaza.”

With a rapid and critical student response, the Office of the President released a second email equally as fast, clarifying its position in the statement.

“I understand that my message today regarding recent incidents of defacing university property was interpreted by some as correlating the term “Free Palestine” with hate speech,” the email stated. “It was not my intent. As citizens of the world, we debate and discuss – and even protest – to improve conditions both locally and globally.”

“I also have been clear that we have to balance our rights to free speech with the safety of our community,” the email stated. “Achieving this balance can be challenging. As a campus, we can and should be committed to learning and growing together, regardless of the discomfort and challenge this may, at times, present.”

 “Free Palestine” flyers scribbled with “From Hamas” have been distributed in various locations in the Marano Campus Center. More pro-Palestine markings riddled the campus, and recently, footprints in the snow spelled out “Free Palestine” between Marano Campus Center and Cooper dining hall.

The Office of the President has not released a statement regarding the increased presence of Israeli-Palestinian content. The university continues to monitor any additional vandalism or inappropriate student conduct related to the international conflict.

Photo by Nicolas Diaz Contreras