The controversy surrounding protests at three Ivy League colleges relating to the conflict in Israel has been exacerbated by the true intent of freedom of speech.

In its simplest form, freedom of speech allows anyone to speak their mind without limitations. However, if the words of a person lead to violence or are part of an effort to incite violence, some say constitutional rights of speech offer no protection. Therefore, it is relatively clear that if words hurt the feelings of a person, or a group he or she is part of, technically, the words are acceptable. Note: Common decency should temper rhetoric that is offensive even if it is allowed by the Constitution.

The Ivy League presidents were evasive in their responses to questions by members of Congress last week. The questioning was hostile as was the discussion of campus freedom of speech. The academics would not forcefully condemn the hurtful and degrading speeches and threats of violence by supporters of Hamas on Israeli citizens and others.

The protesters are siding with the “oppressed people” of Gaza by encouraging comments relating to Israel’s alleged illegal control of the region and turning a blind eye to the underlying Anti-Semitism that young people are expressing in their rhetoric. The protesters have inspired bigotry and fear for Jewish students on campuses across the country. It is this last point that is most controversial. Protesters have the right to object to Israel’s alleged colonialism, but not with intent to kill or intimidate Jews as a race of people.

The university presidents made the mistake of emphasizing legal issues rather than speaking from the heart. They alluded to context and not the fact that that Hamas invaded Israel and killed over 1,000 people. The simple answer to the question of do you believe students have the right to intimidate other students or not, is students don’t have the right to intimidate other students verbally with violence or the threat of it.

Universities across the country have interfered with the free speech of many conservatives over the years. At Berkeley (where the fight for freedom of speech began), students committed acts of violence and property destruction to stop a right-leaning talking head from expressing his opinions. Universities have always sided with the left against right-wing supporters.

Are our children in college being subjected to some form of indoctrination of liberal and radical ideology? It seems that professors are teaching with a left-wing biased perspective and not allowing responses if they are to the contrary.

But back to the issue at hand. How far to the extreme should we allow students to express themselves? The simple answer is until it approaches violence and outright bigotry. Free speech protection should not inspire violence by any side. If this is not practical or doable under current laws, Congress should propose changes to the freedom of speech powers in the Constitution