Freedom of speech is an ancient Jewish value, as well as a keystone of democracy. Even if we find
certain speech distasteful or disruptive, we all lose when we attempt to quash such speech—as long as
it does not rise to the level of inciting violence. Boycotts have long been defined as a form of protected
speech. While we may disagree, even vehemently, with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS)
movement, trying to shut down a non-violent movement is both undemocratic and un-Jewish. This text study offers four classic and one contemporary Jewish text that make this case.
