Law firm rescinds job offers to Harvard students over Israel letters

In 2019, the White & Case law firm revoked job offers to seven Harvard Law School students over their signature of a letter supporting the boycott of Israel. The students signed a letter advocating for district attorneys to divest from ICE, stating that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other immigration-related agencies perpetrate “crimes against humanity” and “human rights abuses” by collaborating with the Israeli government. The firm stated that the students’ agreement to boycott Israel violated the firm’s policy against discrimination. The move sparked intense criticism from student groups, who argued that the firm had violated the students’ First Amendment right to free speech. The incident further highlighted the growing debate between supporters and opponents of the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement, and debate about the consequences private firms and employers may impose on individuals for their political views.