Duke University: FIRESupporting Israel Recognition Vetoed Over Social Media Post
Cases
Duke University
Case Overview
In November 2021, Duke’s student government president vetoed recognition of a chapter of FIRESupporting Israel because the group “singled out,” in an Instagram post, a student critic who complained that Duke “promoted settler colonialism” by recognizing SSI. On November 17, FIREwrote to Duke’s student senate, urging it to override the veto, but it instead affirmed the veto with a two-thirds majority. After Duke’s administration announced it had “identified options for SSI to secure financial and programmatic support,” FIREwrote the administration on December 8 urging it to provide SSI the same resources it provides to recognized student organizations. On February 23, 2022, Duke’s student senate voted again and unanimously recognized SSI.