Antisemitism is wrong—there’s no debate about that. By the same token, Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism are equally dangerous. Conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism is not only misguided but also harmful. Ohio state Senator Terry Johnson’s proposed legislation does just that, threatening to undermine fundamental constitutional rights, stifle political expression, and open the door to discriminatory enforcement.

The recent vilification of student-led protests on college campuses, chief among them what happened on our own, The Ohio State University, was so dangerous that made many of us shiver.  

Persecuting students for exercising their First Amendment rights of free speech and peaceful assembly places us uncomfortably close to the practices of authoritarian regimes like China and North Korea—countries we often criticize for suppressing dissent.

If Senator Johnson has forgotten, the US Constitution clearly articulated the fundamental freedoms we enjoy.  “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances,” reads the First Amendment.  It is vital to uphold the Constitution, a document that guarantees the freedoms upon which this nation was built.

This legislation comes in time while Israel's genocide in Gaza has killed over 44,000 Palestinians, over half of them are women and children, and wounded 104,286 since October 7, 2023.  These numbers do not account for the many thousands of bodies which are still buried under rubble or in areas that medics cannot access.  

To quote Martin Luther King Jr., I too have a dream. I have a dream that Senator Johnson, and those who showed support for his proposed legislation to have the courage to call upon Israel for an immediate ceasefire. I have a dream that our United States Congress would break free from the chains of AIPAC and support the resolutions proposed by US Senator Bernie Sanders to block arms sales to Israel, where Israel has violated every human rights law.  I have a dream that members of the Ohio legislation, of both parties, listen to what Americans are saying.  According to a recent Pew Research Center report, most U.S. adults believe speech related to Israeli and Palestinian statehood should be protected, though they draw the line at calls for violence

I have a dream that the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution will be upheld in Ohio and beyond. I have a dream that we, as Americans, will support justice for all people—whether here at home or in Palestine. And I have a dream that we will stand united in defending the rights of all to speak, to assemble, and to dream of a better world.

I want to rephrase MLK’s dream and create my own. I have a dream that one day down in my beautiful Palestine with its vicious racist occupiers, with their lips dripping with the words of vilification and nullification of an entire people, one day right down in Jerusalem, Gaza, Hebron, Jericho and everywhere in Palestine, little Palestinian boys and girls will be able to enjoy life not death, safety not destitution, achievement not disaster, and acceptance not rejection.  

I have a dream today!