How the US weaponizes terrorism statutes against Palestinians, with Darryl Li

A new briefing paper maps the historical and political context for the current criminalization of solidarity activism and organizing against Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Palestine liberation activism has been “like a laboratory, a canary in a coal mine,” academic and researcher Darryl Li told The Electronic Intifada Podcast.

Li is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Social Sciences and a Lecturer in Law at the University of Chicago.

He is a lead author of the paper, “Anti-Palestinian at the Core: The Origins and Growing Dangers of US Antiterrorism Law,” which was co-published by the Center for Constitutional Rights and Palestine Legal.

The paper highlights how many foundational anti-terrorism laws arose during, or were adapted to, pivotal moments in the Palestinian liberation struggle – often pushed by Israel-aligned groups to reflexively cast the veil of “terrorism” almost uniquely on Palestinians.