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The Palestine Exception: Film as a Form of Cultural Work that Facilitates Movement Building
CounterPunch
By Ed Rampell
The exceptional new documentary The Palestine Exception, co-directed by Jan Haaken and Jennifer Ruth, focuses on the wave of pro-Palestinian protests that swept across U.S. college campuses in 2024 and the repressive backlash students, faculty and activists encountered, which is called onscreen “the New McCarthyism.”
PSU Professors create documentary about campus activism
PSU Vanguard
By Isaiah Burns
Freedom of speech is a hallmark of modern academia, providing the necessary foundation for scholars and students to rigorously study even the most controversial of topics without fear of penalty. However, is there an exception to this rule?
“The Palestine Exception” Looks Back at Portland State University Campus Protests
Willamette Week
By Morgan Shaunette
PSU professors Jan Haaken and Jennifer Ruth examine as many of the Israel-Hamas War’s complexities as possible in 71 minutes.
The Palestine Exception Theatrical Debut
KBOO: Old Mole Variety Hour
By Denise Morris
The Palestine Exception, a Portland-based documentary film directed by PSU faculty Jan Haaken and Jennifer Ruth, will screen at Cinema 21 on Jan. 26. Denise Morris talks with co-director Jennifer Ruth about the film and responses so far at screenings on campuses across the US.
KBOO: Old Mole Variety Hour
By Denise Morris
After years of right-wing assaults on higher education, attacks took a new form in 2023 and 2024 that has been described as the new McCarthyism. As students across the country organize protests against Israel’s war on Gaza, decades-long taboos in academia around criticism of Israel–the “Palestine exception”–are shattered. The story of this movement unfolds in THE PALESTINE EXCEPTION—a new documentary directed by Portland-based filmmakers Jan Haaken and Jennifer Ruth.
Letter: My termination shows the hypocrisy at the heart of Emerson
The Berkeley Beacon
By Anna Feder
"On Aug. 13, I was informed by our vice president of Human Resources via a Zoom call that due to a dip in enrollment, Emerson College was canceling the Bright Lights Cinema Series after over 12 successful years and terminating my position after over 17. I want to make something clear to those who don’t already know: I’ve anticipated this termination since I went ahead with the screening of “Israelism” last semester."
Cancellation of Emerson's Bright Lights Cinema Series sparks pushback, grassroots campaign
WBUR
By Claire Ogden
"Over the summer, Emerson College announced the cancellation of its Bright Lights Cinema Series. Citing budget cuts and a lack of direct connection with “core academic programs,” the 12-year run came to an abrupt end and curator Anna Feder was let go. Many staff and faculty suspect there are political forces at play."
How Israeli Universities Deny Palestinian Freedom
KBOO: Old Mole Variety Hour
By Jan Haaken
Israeli universities have long been seen as symbols of liberal democracy, even as Israel's violent campaigns in Gaza continue. In a powerful interview on The Old Mole Variety Hour, Jan Haaken speaks with Maya Wind about her new book Towers of Steel: How Israeli Universities Deny Palestinian Freedom.
Speaking Out of Place Podcast
By David Palumbo-Liu
On this episode of the Speaking Out of Place Podcast, David Palumbo-Liu, Professor of Comparative Literature at Stanford University, speaks with Jan Haaken and Jennifer Ruth about their upcoming documentary, The Palestine Exception.
People’s Conference for Palestine
KBOO: Old Mole Variety Hour
By Jan Haaken
In May, over 3000 activists attended the People's Conference for Palestine in Detroit, Michigan with thousands more joining virtually. Jan Haaken talks with Dr. Lara Sheehi, who attended the conference, about some of the strategic issues taken up by presenters and participants. They also discuss key dynamics behind students' identification with the Palestinian fight for liberation. Sheehi is assistant professor of psychology at Doha Institute in Qatar and is co-author of Psychoanalysis Under Occupation: Practicing Resistance in Palestine.
KBOO: Old Mole Variety Hour
By Jan Haaken
Jan Haaken talks with Premilla Nadasen about her new book, Care: The Highest State of Capitalism. Premilla Nadasen is professor of history at Barnard College and Columbia University. In addition to discussing her book, Professor Nadasen offers an update on student organizing at Columbia and how Palestinian rights activists are responding to the administration's enlistment of the police and crack-downs on campus protests.
The Palestine Exception to Academic Freedom
KBOO: Old Mole Variety Hour
By Jan Haaken and Jennifer Ruth
On May 1st, the U.S. House passed legislation defining criticism of Israel or Zionism as antisemitic, affecting Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. University leaders are being called to congressional hearings to address alleged campus antisemitism. Jan Haaken and Professor Jennifer Ruth discuss these hearings' McCarthyite dynamics, the Palestine Exception to academic freedom, and student and faculty responses.