An Israeli scholar passionate about defending his homeland has been accused of being a fascist who does not deserve a lecturer position at Princeton University by some scholars and students.

Israeli academics at Princeton University have attempted to deny Ronen Shoval, a leading conservative thinker, a platform during his year-long fellowship. This incident highlights the prevailing cancel culture in American academia, where non-progressive voices are deemed unacceptable. Shoval is an esteemed intellectual who examines the Western canon through a politically conservative lens. His presence at Princeton is considered an honor for the Tikvah Institute, where he leads a high-level seminar program. The core issue behind the opposition is the enforcement of progressive intellectual orthodoxy, with conservatives seen as a threat to the prevailing conformity. Shoval's detractors, Eldar Shafir and Uri Hasson, target his past association with Im Tirtzu, a Zionist grassroots organization. However, Im Tirtzu has become the largest Zionist organization in Israel, founded by soldiers who pushed back against accusations of war crimes and colonialism. Shoval's opponents employ discredited claims to portray Im Tirtzu as engaged in unacceptable activities. In reality, Im Tirtzu defends and promotes Zionist values, challenging organizations that seek to delegitimize Israel. The success of Im Tirtzu in countering these narratives further exacerbates the concerns of its detractors.