Knesset education committee approves bill prohibiting incitement to terror on university campuses

The Knesset Education, Culture and Sports Committee approves a bill prohibiting incitement to terrorism and illegal activity within the framework of student activities on university campuses, paving its way for the final two votes needed for it to become law.

The bill, sponsored by Otzma Yehudit MK Limor Son Har-Melech, would impose restrictions on organized public activity in academia, with universities being required to establish public activity regulations that include, among other things, a prohibition on incitement to terrorism and racism.

Addressing the committee, Har-Melech states that following discussions with students from the Ethiopian community, she “was convinced to include in the legislation a clause that prohibits incitement to racism.”

Critics of the bill warn that it could be abused by authorities to crack down on freedom of expression, especially in cases of dissent against Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.

During the debate, Har-Melech derides Elia Levin, an activist with the Standing Together movement who testified against the bill, as “mentally ill” and “requiring hospitalization.” Levin will file a complaint with the Knesset Ethics Committee regarding the far-right lawmaker’s remarks.

The bill will move onto its second and third Knesset plenary readings after it passed its committee vote earlier today.

Addressing concerns expressed by Standing Together representatives, committee chairman MK Yosef Taib (Shas) states that far-right slogans, such as “may your village burn,” will be included under the law.

עכשיו בכנסת – סטודנטים שלנו הגיעו לדבר על הקשיים שלהם מול חברי הכנסת. כשאליה לוין, פעילה בתא הסטודנטים שלנו בחיפה, ניסתה לדבר על חוק ההשתקה, חברת הכנסת לימור סון הר מלך הפריעה לה לדבר וקראה לה חולת נפש. אליה באה להתנגד לחוק ההשתקה וכולנו קיבלנו תזכורת איך ההשתקה נראית. בושה. pic.twitter.com/fl6SwsnyLH

— עומדים ביחד نقف معًا Standing Together???? (@omdimbeyachad) July 8, 2025