Freedom of expression in Israeli campuses and social media during the war with Hamas

This study examines attitudes towards political freedom of expression among 570 Jewish-Israeli students and academic staff in Israeli academic institutions during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war (2023–2025). The study used an online survey to compare perspectives on campus and social media expressions. Findings reveal that, generally, academic staff showed stronger support for political freedom of expression, while students favoured more restrictive approaches. Both groups supported harsher responses to pro-Hamas compared to pro-Israeli statements, with students showing stronger preferences. Students also perceived controversial statements on social media as more deserving of harsh responses than equivalent campus statements. The study utilised social identity theory to interpret how professional roles and group identities shaped attitudes towards controversial political expressions during the war. The findings highlight the complex dynamics of balancing free speech with security concerns in academia during wartime, underscoring the need for nuanced policies that consider varied stakeholder perspectives and the role of social media.