Advocates for Palestinian freedom in the U.S. face escalating efforts by government officials, school administrators, and Israel proxy groups to investigate, censor, and punish criticism of Israel or support for Palestinian rights. On college campuses, students are routinely disciplined and harassed for protests and basic free speech expression. Professors have been fired for tweets, sued for research in Palestine, and faced intimidation for supporting an academic boycott. More than 30 states have enacted restrictions suppressing the right to boycott for Palestinian rights. Outright censorship of those who critically discuss this issue — as well as self-censorship to avoid backlash — is pervasive. PALA confronts this widespread suppression by documenting instances of anti-Palestinian racism and providing training to on-the-ground activists.
PALA advocates will engage in factual research primarily through interviewing to compile informational reports and presentations regarding anti-Palestinian discrimination or harassment. Palestine Legal attorneys will train members on how to conduct trauma-informed interviewing and relevant research. PALA advocates will have the unique opportunity to witness movement lawyering firsthand, seeing how lawyers can support the movement for Palestinian Liberation and other movements for social change.
Supervision: Students in PALA provide legal services under the supervision of attorneys at Palestine Legal.
Time Commitment: 15-20 hours per semester; dates and times will be scheduled in the fall based on member and client availability.
For more information, please contact the student leaders at pala@berkeley.edu.