This Purim, as Jews around the world tell the story of Queen Esther, we must also tell the story that Project Esther plans on carrying out.
This Christian Nationalist plan intends to squash the Palestine solidarity movement, crack down on free speech and academic freedom, and deport those who speak out against Israeli apartheid.
Project Esther employs public and private institutions to carry out its goals and its already taking effect. University administrations around the country have been firing staff and faculty and suspending and expelling students who speak out against US support for genocide, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians. Private Zionist institutions are surveilling and reporting individuals within the Palestine solidarity movement. In an escalatory move, the Trump Administration in collaboration with DHS and ICE, kidnapped Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent US resident, only because he used his voice to speak out against the injustices committed at his people.
In order to fight fascism effectively we must educate ourselves on its goals and methods of action. Understanding Project Esther is the first step.
Now we must get creative and bold, inspire our peers to take action, and build a mass movement that we haven’t seen before to counter fascism in the White House.