Duke University: Students Supporting Israel Recognition Vetoed Over Social Media Post

In November 2021, Duke’s student government president vetoed recognition of a chapter of Students Supporting Israel because the group “singled out,” in an Instagram post, a student critic who complained that Duke “promoted settler colonialism” by recognizing SSI. On November 17, FIRE wrote to Duke’s student senate, urging it to override the veto, but it instead affirmed the veto with a two-thirds majority. After Duke’s administration announced it had “identified options for SSI to secure financial and programmatic support,” FIRE wrote the administration on December 8 urging it to provide SSI the same resources it provides to recognized student organizations. On February 23, 2022, Duke’s student senate voted again and unanimously recognized SSI.