Brandeis University has banned a student chapter of National Students for Justice in Palestine from its campus. The university notified the student group on Nov. 6 that it will no longer recognize it “because it openly supports Hamas, which the United States has designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.”

Brandeis is one of hundreds of universities roiled by demonstrations and counterdemonstrations in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,400 Israelis and the subsequent Israeli military strikes in Gaza that have killed an estimated 10,000 Palestinians. The tense atmosphere on many college campuses has led to spikes in both antisemitism and Islamophobia. The organization has 200 chapters at U.S. universities across the country according to its website.

The decision from Brandeis came two weeks after the Anti-Defamation League sent a letter to 200 universities, asking them to investigate the activities of SJP chapters for potential violations of the prohibition against supporting a foreign terrorist organization. The ADL, which tracks antisemitism and hate speech, alleged in its letter that “SJP chapters are not advocating for Palestinian rights; they are celebrating terrorism.”

As a result of Brandeis University’s decision, the SJP will no longer receive funding or be allowed to conduct activities on campus or associate itself with the Brandeis name or logo.

In a notice sent to the student organization, the university stated that Brandeis was dedicated to upholding free speech principles, but “…the university may restrict expression…that constitutes a genuine threat or harassment…or that is otherwise directly incompatible with the functioning of the university.” The letter added, “SJP has called on its chapters to engage in conduct that supports Hamas in its call for the elimination of the only Jewish state in the world and its people. Such expression is not protected by Brandeis’ principles of free speech.