US: Zio-McCarthyism, a 21st century political purge that has dangerous overtones

 

There has been an escalation in detentions, surveillance, smears and deportations for those who have shown solidarity with the Palestinian cause, mirroring a shameful chapter in American history

In the 1950s, the United States launched a sweeping campaign to root out alleged communists from public life. Careers were destroyed, lives were upended and a culture of fear permeated the political and academic landscape.

That era, McCarthyism, is remembered today as a dark and shameful chapter in American history. 

We are now living through its echo. But this time, it comes under a different banner. This is the era of Zio-McCarthyism, a new political purge targeting anyone who dares to oppose the atrocities committed by the Israeli state or express solidarity with the Palestinian people.

And just like the original, this one will not stop at its initial targets.

In recent months, we’ve seen a disturbing escalation. Pro-Palestinian activists are being detained, surveilled, deported and smeared for little more than exercising their constitutional rights.

Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent legal resident and Columbia University graduate, was seized from his home by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and transported to a detention facility in Louisiana.

A federal immigration judge has now ruled that he is deportable, not because of any criminal act, but because the secretary of state has labelled his "beliefs and associations" a threat to US foreign policy interests. The judge even admitted she lacked the authority to challenge the secretary’s designation.

Dissent alone is now enough to warrant deportation.  (more...)

US: Zio-McCarthyism, a 21st century political purge that has dangerous overtones