Nora Barrows-Friedman

On episode 15 of The Electronic Intifada Podcast, filmmaker and journalist Abby Martin discusses her recent free speech lawsuit against the state of Georgia and its anti-BDS law.

Later in the episode, activist and writer Tony Greenstein explains the state of anti-Zionist politics following the struggle over false allegations of anti-Semitism in the UK Labour Party.

Abby was invited to be the keynote speaker at a conference at Georgia Southern University. But officials demanded she sign a contract which stated: “You certify that you are not currently engaged in, and agree for the duration of this agreement not to engage in, a boycott of Israel.”

Abby refused to sign the Israel loyalty oath and her keynote was canceled, as was the entire conference.

Georgia is one of 28 US states to pass a draconian anti-boycott measure. Most recently, South Dakota’s governor signed an anti-BDS measure into law by executive order in mid-January.

These laws aren’t “even necessarily meant to be implemented,” Abby tells The Electronic Intifada Podcast. “It’s meant to censor and control political speech and scare people into not participating in the BDS movement, to not participate in divestment campaigns, and to not participate in, let’s just say, street actions.”

Abby is joined by her lawyer Gadeir Abbas, who is part of a team of civil rights attorneys behind the lawsuit.

Later on in the episode, veteran left-wing Palestine solidarity activist and Jewish anti-Zionist Tony Greenstein joins us to discuss the state of the UK Labour Party.

Tony is the author of a fascinating and excoriating blog.

He tells us, “Yes, Jews are undoubtedly represented amongst those who have been victimized” in the Labour Party witch hunt over anti-Semitism.

Articles we discussed

• Press conference on Abby Martin’s lawsuit
• “Trump appeases Israel lobby with executive order” (Nora Barrows-Friedman)
• “Why I just quit the Labour party” (Asa Winstanley)

Production assistance by Sharif Zakout