Amid hostile academic environments, Israeli firms to safeguard US campuses [View all]

This is the headline from an article from the Israeli news site "YNETNEWS" which is part of the "Yediot Achronot" daily newspaper. There is no date on the byline but it credits Daniel Edelson, New York. It seems that nobody in charge at the various universities mentioned in the article contemplated whether it's a good idea to bring in firms headed by former Israeli intelligence people for example. Here is an excerpt from the article:

"In a public statement, Strategic Security Corp. described the campus climate as being overrun by "a surge of pro-Palestinian protesters infiltrated by seasoned propagandists who employ guerrilla warfare tactics of non-permissive asymmetrical resistance, actively opposing, inciting crowds, and sparking violence and chaos." The company assured that it would leverage its "capabilities and expertise to identify and monitor threats, deploy effectively, and maintain a robust, manned security force."

So they are going to identify? Apparently meaning evaluating professors, students, student organizations etc. because after all that's where a bulk of the accusations about people being "pro" etc. have been made and supposedly affected by the "seasoned propagandists". So on to the list with you if we think you might be a problem. Then they are going to "monitor"? I see so you're going to follow people around, snap pictures of them speaking to people etc. Maybe a little "eavesdropping" using some of that snazzy technology? If you're not doing this then the word "monitoring" becomes fairly meaningless if you don't know where people are and who they're talking to and what they're planning. Then "deploy effectively, and maintain a robust, manned security force."? Well I guess maybe the University Administration will now have to redo those recruitment brochures to include some pictures of this deployed force on campus and doing their thing "checking" on people. Maybe CUNY is down for "checkpoints" and razor wire. Doesn't seem tone deaf in the least. I'm sure America is perfectly content with farming out their J Edgar Hoover/FBI like activities to foreign quasi government security firms. Ahh the good old college years!! Why it's not becoming a guarded re-education camp at all where you don't say certain things if you don't want to be on the "list". Not at all. Everything is fine. Just fine and if you know what's good for you you won't disagree. Because if you're on the "list" then maybe that slot in grad school you wanted might just not be in your future. Be quiet now. Hush and do your lessons or else.

The Edelson article mentions that some have expressed concern:

"However, reliance on Israeli expertise has not gone without criticism. Protesters and student organizations argue that the presence of firms with Israeli security backgrounds exacerbates existing political tensions. At Concordia, for instance, outraged students claimed that hiring Israeli-linked security firms "adds fuel to the fire" and erodes trust within the academic community. They issued demands for the university to immediately terminate its contracts with these companies and divest from any direct or indirect financial ties to Israel. Concordia, however, defended its decision, stating that the hiring of these firms was purely motivated by the need to ensure campus safety in light of potentially escalating protests, insisting that it had no connection to Israel."

That last line is about as disingenuous as it gets. No connection? Really? Thousand of security firms to choose from and you chose this one that just so happens is deeply connected and it was all mere coincidence? Of course forgive me for seeing an obvious thing and saying it.

An exaggeration of how it will go? We thought that when J Edgar started rolling heavy in the early '50's. We know how this goes and how it morphs and is abused. Accountability for abuses you say? Come on man that joke is more stale than a week old dinner roll left in the sun. Ask the people who got blacklisted and their descendants about whether that supposed "accountability" was ever more than just a word.

So the Universities mentioned couldn't find any other firms to help them? Nobody else in the whole world? Really? So in a hot political environment with two clearly delineated views you bring in security forces based in the country of, linked to and run by former military and intelligence personnel for that government and you don't see that as tone deaf or one sided when you are the University Administration making the decision? You don't see the self created escalation you've made?

https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjdnsdwvyl#autoplay