Brandeis alumni students threaten to stop donations if pro-Palestinian group not reinstated

Hundreds of alumni of Brandeis University in the US threatened on Friday to withhold donations from their alma mater unless it lifts its ban on a prominent pro-Palestinian student group. 

They also demanded that the university issue a formal apology for allegedly authorising police to use violence to break up a demonstration last week on campus protesting the ban.

Brandeis announced two weeks ago that it was withdrawing recognition of the campus branch of Students for Justice in Palestine on the grounds that the group supports Hamas.

In a letter addressed to Brandeis President Ronald Liebowitz, the alumni charged that police used violence last week against three students. 

“We pledge to withhold any donations to Brandeis University until it reverses course to allow free speech on campus by re-chartering the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, apologising to the protestors who were harmed, and refusing to allow police to attack peaceful protestors,” the letter said.