University of Florida President Denounces Anti-Israel Protests, Vows to Protect Free Speech

University of Florida President Ben Sasse has condemned ongoing anti-Israel protests on college campuses, emphasizing the importance of free speech and upholding campus rules.

University of Florida President Ben Sasse has taken a strong stance against anti-Israel protests that have erupted on college campuses across the country. Amidst the 2024 graduation season, thousands of arrests have been made due to protests and encampments that have disrupted commencement ceremonies.

Speaking on CNN's "State of the Union," Sasse expressed his disapproval of the ongoing demonstrations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining university regulations. "We have time, place, and manner restrictions," he said. "People don't get to take over the whole university. You don't get to spit at cops. You don't get to barricade yourselves in buildings. You don't get to disrupt somebody else's commencement."

Sasse reaffirmed the university's commitment to free speech and the protection of Jewish students. "We will always defend your right to free speech and free assembly," he said. "But there are rules. We don't allow camping on campus. It's to help them get into compliance with the rules. They can protest. They can try to persuade people, but they don't get to build a camp. Nobody else does either."

In the sunshine state, a dozen people have been arrested across three different college campuses for anti-Israel protests. At the University of Florida alone, nine arrests were made last Monday. Sasse defended the university's stance, explaining that they do not "negotiate with people who scream the loudest."

"We believe in the right to free speech. We believe in the right to free assembly, and you can try to persuade people," he said. "But what you see happening on so many campuses across the country is instead of drawing the line in speech and action, a lot of universities bizarrely give the most attention and most voice to the smallest, angriest group, and it's just not what we're going to do here."

Sasse's sentiments align with the university's Associate Vice President of Communications, Steve Orlando, who stated, "The University of Florida is not a daycare, and we do not treat protesters like children - they knew the rules, they broke the rules, and they'll face the consequences."

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Sasse condemned the activists involved in these protests, calling their entitlement "asinine" and criticizing college administrators for their perceived timidity. He wrote, "Young men and women with little grasp of geography or history... wade into geopolitics with bumper-sticker slogans they don't understand."

Sasse's stance on anti-Israel protests has sparked mixed reactions. Some have praised his strong leadership and commitment to maintaining order on campus. Others have criticized his approach, arguing that it stifles free expression and unfairly targets certain student groups.

The University of Florida's response to these protests has set a precedent for other universities to follow. By emphasizing the importance of free speech while upholding campus rules, President Sasse has attempted to strike a balance between the rights of protesters and the safety and order of the university community.