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Violence Is NOT Debate

September 16, 2025

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Reject Violence: Defend Debate, Protect Democracy

Disagreement should invite debate – not violence. Intimidation, dehumanization and threats create the conditions for physical attacks. Silencing and demonizing opposing views have become normalized. The risks are great for our entire society – and create an atmosphere of rising extremist rhetoric and violence. Jews often become the first targets of scapegoating – and violence.

Young Americans: Surge in Support for Political Violence

Recent surveys show alarming levels of support for violent attacks to silence opposing views. One-third of university students support using violence to stop a campus speaker – up from 20% five years ago – according to a recent Foundation for Individual Rights in Education survey. A majority support disruptive tactics, including shouting down speakers or blocking students from attending speeches.

A recent YouGov survey revealed that younger American support for violence to achieve political goals was nearly double the national rate of the general public. Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives are more likely to say violence from the other side is a bigger problem. These attitudes reflect the breakdown of shared norms that define democratic debate.

America: History of Political Violence

Political violence is not new in the U.S. The country has witnessed assassinations of presidents, civil rights leaders and elected officials. There were waves of domestic terrorism in the 1960s and 1970s, and repeated attacks on minority communities. What distinguishes the current moment is the degree to which violence is being normalized. Falsehoods and conspiracy theories are rapidly spreading through partisan news outlets, almost all social media platforms and AI channels. These can create an environment where threats and intimidation can escalate quickly into real-world attacks.

The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk caught national and world attention because he was an outspoken debater who was well-known and controversial, particularly among college students. Other attacks that would have received wall-to-wall media coverage in the past have become so common that they are hardly noticed anymore.

Two high school students in Colorado were severely wounded the same day as Kirk was shot. A 16-year-old radicalized by an online extremist network – with a fascination with mass shootings and neo-Nazi views – opened fire inside Evergreen High School. The Columbine School shooting in 1999 dominated headlines, but since then, school shootings have become so common that most Americans are unaware of their true scale: A record high of 348 school shootings in 2023.

Recent acts of political violence include the murder of MN state rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband in their home, two assassination attempts on President Trump during the presidential campaign, an attack on the husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with a hammer at their home, the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack and the attempted kidnapping of MI Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

First They Came for the Jews: A Warning Sign for Society

Jews being targeted signals deeper cracks in society. Jewish communities remain frequent targets in the current political climate. Individuals and organizations face threats, harassment and shootings.

In March 2024, about 200 pro-Palestinian activists at the Univ. of California at Berkeley stormed a venue hosting an Israeli speaker. Witness Sharon Knafelman: “I saw a girl get grabbed by the neck and shoved, my friend spat at. I saw just how much anger they had towards us.” Her parents have begged her not to publicly wear her Star of David. Sharon refused, but a quarter of Jewish students feel the need to hide their Jewish identity to fit in on campus. Nearly 20% of non-Jewish students intentionally aim to socially ostracize Jewish peers who support the existence of Israel as a Jewish state. More than 80% of Jewish students worldwide hide their Zionist identity.

University campuses and K-12 schools have been notable flashpoints for Jewish students, but the rot extends outward. Just this year, an attacker murdered a Holocaust survivor with a firebomb in Boulder, CO, and a shooter killed an American Jew and her Israeli Christian boyfriend outside the Capital Jewish Museum. An arsonist set fire to PA Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence and swastikas were painted on the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. The targeting of Jews serves as a warning of risks that extend far beyond any one group.

Assassination of Charlie Kirk

The murder of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk and rising political violence were condemned by Jewish groups across the political spectrum. The controversial activist was a strong supporter of the Jewish state and also received criticism for questionable statements about Jews. Israeli leaders mourned his death. President Isaac Herzog: “Israel has lost a true friend and huge ally. I strongly condemn this terrible act of violence, and together with all the Israeli people, send my thoughts and prayers to Charlie’s wife, children and all his loved ones.”

  1. Political violence is never acceptable: Violence destroys trust, silences healthy debate and replaces persuasion with fear. Democracies promote dialogue, peaceful protests and voting – not threats or violence. No grievance or ideology justifies intimidation or assault, let alone assassination. Leaders must condemn violence without qualifiers, enforce laws evenly and protect the freedom to speak in public.
  2. Silencing opponents is not free speech: Shouting down speakers in public forums and on college campuses, blockading attendees and doxing opponents are forms of coercion, not expression. They deny individuals an opportunity to hear differing opinions and shrink the space for dialogue. Protest is protected when it is peaceful and does not stop others from speaking or listening. Silencing those you disagree with turns differences into a veto on opposing voices. The right to listen is part of free speech.
  3. Leaders who excuse hate invite violence: Leaders in government, academia, media and popular culture set the tone. When they fail to reject – or worse, promote – dehumanizing rhetoric, political violence becomes inevitable. Threats become routine. Violence moves from the unthinkable to the justifiable. Responses to violence must be clear and consistent, regardless of the target. Condemn acts of violence, promote civil disagreement and keep disputes in the realm of words – not force.
  4. Attacks on Jews often are an early warning: History is blunt: when hatred against Jews – antisemitism – is tolerated, other hatreds follow. This is why Jews are referred to as the canary in the coal mine – the signaling bird that warned coal miners of danger ahead. Targeting Jews on campus – through harassment, silencing or exclusion – opens the door to greater intimidation of others. What starts with Jews rarely ends with Jews. Protecting Jewish safety and speech strengthens standards that protect everyone.
  5. Dehumanization of political opponents leads to attacks: Dehumanizing language lowers the barrier to harm. When leaders or influencers dehumanize opponents, this is often viewed by followers as permission to commit acts of violence. Threats become normal and violence starts to feel “necessary.” Some call this stochastic terrorism: “The public demonization of a person or group resulting in the incitement of a violent act.” Words that strip dignity make attacks more likely.
  6. Misinformation fuels violence: Falsehoods spread through social media, partisan news networks and AI tools can radicalize individuals, escalate threats and justify attacks. Conspiracy theories turn opponents into enemies and rumors lead to harassment. Democracies depend on shared facts: leaders, the news media and organizations must correct errors, expose fabrications and reject incitement. Fighting lies is public safety, not censorship. When truth is optional and facts become irrelevant, violence often follows.
  7. No side gets a pass on violence: Violence is wrong whether it targets progressives, conservatives or is based on race, religion or national origin. Double standards based on political affiliation are undemocratic and should not be accepted or justified. Condemning “their” violence while excusing “ours” undermines credibility and destroys societal norms. Threats, intimidation and violence are never acceptable regardless of the speaker’s identity. One standard for all is the only credible standard.
  8. Dialogue strengthens democracy: Open dialogue builds trust and keeps persuasion at the center of public life. When people can hear and be heard, rumors fade and ideas improve. Disagreement becomes argument, not animosity. Dialogue recognizes opponents as fellow citizens and turns conflict into competing ideas rather than competing enemies. This is democracy at work. Dialogue makes change possible without force. According to research, the difference between bonding and bridging is that bonding among similar social groups strengthens ties within the group, while bridging connects different groups and provides an atmosphere for diverse views and opportunities.

Everyone has a role to play in rejecting political violence, preventing dehumanization and promoting open debate for everyone.

  • Condemn political violence without qualifiers: Say it plainly in conversations, meetings and social media posts – no “but” or “whatabout.”
  • Do not silence debate: Protest peacefully without stopping others from speaking.
  • Reject dehumanizing language: Push back when individuals and organizations reduce opponents to labels.
  • Show up for real dialogue: Attend or host forums where tough views can be argued under agreed ground rules.

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This content is developed by The Focus Project in partnership with MERCAZ USA. The Focus Project distributes weekly news and talking points on timely issues concerning Israel and the Jewish people, including antisemitism, anti-Zionism and the delegitimization of Israel. It represents a consensus view across a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations. MERCAZ USA recognizes and respects the diversity of views on these issues among its readers and the community at large.

The Focus Project develops and distributes news, background, history and weekly talking points on timely issues to inform individuals and organizations about issues affecting the American Jewish community and Israel, and help readers speak with more consistency and clarity. The editions also provide potential responses for addressing incidents of antisemitism and anti-Zionism. With input from a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations, we focus on that which unites us, rising above political and individual agendas.
Recognizing that hatred of Jews comes in many forms and directions, we strive to address all sources as they arise, and educate our growing audience on topics ranging from inter-religious relations to relevant international developments. From week to week, we may focus on issues arising from the political left, university campuses, from the political right and from institutions, government, and corporations. We don’t try to address all issues in each edition. We hope you will find this information useful in your writing and/or speaking. We are always open to your feedback: info@focus-project.org.
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