Silencing Middle East Scholars: The Fear of Speaking Out
A recent poll conducted by the University of Maryland and George Washington University found that a majority of U.S.-based scholars who research and teach about the Middle East feel the need to self-censor when speaking about the region, particularly on Israeli-Palestinian issues. The poll revealed that concerns about campus culture, pressure from external advocacy groups, potential discipline from academic administrators, and the impact on institutional fundraising were among the reasons for self-censorship. The study highlights the fear rather than sensitivity as the main motivation behind self-censorship, with scholars worried about the consequences of expressing their views.