Tehran – A subtle but extensive campaign that puts the foundations of freedom of speech and democratic opposition at stake have emerged in the shadows of American political theatres. Project Esther is more than just a policy initiative. Designed by the Heritage Foundation, it is now part of the second term of the Trump administration.
Under the fight against anti-Semitism, it is a planned attack on the pro-Palestinian movement, which aims to criminalize critics of defense and silent.
Far-Right’s large-scale Project 2025 Agenda, aimed at reconstructing American governance under the authoritarian vision of nationalists, served as the Foundation for Project Esther.
The administration has enthusiastically embraced and operated the story since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025. It illustrates the deliberate merging of Palestinian rights activities with terrorism.
Weaponize anti-Semitism to curb objections
Project Esther’s rhetoric characterizes the pro-Palestinian movement as a security threat dressed in activism. Activists and organizations are labelled as part of the Hamas Support Network, a plan that justifies the use of laws and immigration policies designed to silence Israeli critics under the guise of counterterrorism.
This fusion displeased the distinction between legal political speech and terrorism, which encourages the cancellation of criminal investigations against those who exercise visas, the deportation process and First Amendment protections.
Anti-Semitism is a real concern worthy of caution, but Project Esther weaponizes the issue to suppress opposition. That approach disproportionately targets Muslim, Arab, and left-leaning Jewish groups, enhancing Islamophobia and anti-Arab bias. The evangelical Christian author of the project, accompanied by minimal input from the Jewish community, further politicizing anti-Semitism and advances the agenda of Israeli nationalists that undermine nuanced nuanced debate.
Legal and financial harassment as a tool for oppression
Project Esther focuses on a strategy called “Lawfare.” This means using legal tactics to pressure, hurt and destroy Palestine-backed groups. Since early 2025, the Trump administration has cancelled visas for foreign students defending Palestine, arrested activists like Colombian alumnus Mahmoud Khalil, and urged universities to remove faculty and courses that support Palestinian views.
The institutions accused of having “anti-Semitism” are frequently threw accusations at Palestinian demonstrations and academic initiatives, withholding federal funding. Furthermore, to undermine protections of due process, the administration advocates for an increase in enforcement agencies to deport immigrants with less judicial checks. By cutting off institutional and financial support, these strategies seek to undermine and isolate the Palestinian solidarity movement.
Project Ester within Trump’s authoritarian agenda
Project Esther is a subset of the broader Project 2025 agenda that seeks to integrate enforcement, suppress progressive movements, and impose ultra-conservative social order.
The crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism exemplifies this authoritarian change. This shift has misused national security rhetoric to justify drastic restrictions on civil liberties, freedom of speech and academic freedom.
The university has become an important battlefield that has put pressure on its campus protests. Social media censorship efforts target content critical of Israel, but civil servants label pro-Palestinian members of parliament as terrorists. The campaign deepens political polarization and fracture communities, including within the Jewish population, where discussions and freedom of speech are intensifying over Israel.
The erosion of democratic principles and freedom of speech
The arrest and deportation of activists like Mahmoud Khalil highlight the erosion of constitutional protections under the framework of Project Esther. Civil liberties warn that these measures reflect historical political repression and undermine the rights of the First Amendment and legitimate processes. The administration’s active use of immigration laws to silence objections sets a dangerous precedent for all political activity.
Pro-Palestinian behaviorism is becoming more resilient in the face of oppression, with various coalitions organising demonstrations, sit-ins and legal challenges. In support of freedom of speech and human rights, progressive Jewish organizations work with Palestinian activists to highlight an interwoven battle with authoritarianism.
Project Esther is more than just a policy. This is a model of authoritarian rules that suppress pro-Palestinian activity and broader objections by using the war on anti-Semitism as an excuse. Under the pretext of national security, Trump’s second term incorporation into the agenda shows a conscious attempt to increase administrative authority, limit civil liberties and silence dissent.
This influence reaches even further than the Palestinian solidarity movement, poses a threat to the foundations of American democracy. Countering Project Ester requires educating the public to protect uniform resistance, collective solidarity, legal defense, and the right to freedom of speech, academic freedom, and political advocacy.
Given the Trump administration is currently implementing Project Esther’s recommendations, the American democracy and human rights interests are more urgent than ever.