There are rules for discourse in the US, particularly if you are an academic, and more particularly if you espouse views that are moderately or sharply different from the stance of the US government.
If you are dealing with the Middle East, the rules apply more rigidly. You are to preface and conclude your remarks by condemnation. You are always reminded that when you disagree with the US position on foreign policy, you do so at your own peril. The intellectual and political intimidation is not so subtle. It is rather universal and widespread.
If you talk about the Arab-Israeli conflict, you are expected to condemn “Palestinian terrorism.” One is not allowed to speak on Arab-Israeli conflict in the US without the refrain of “condemning Palestinian terrorism.” In a book on BDS which is critical of Israel, Slavoj Žižek concludes his little chapter by, you guessed it, condemning Palestinian terrorism...
http://english.al-akhbar.com/blogs/angry-corner/i-condemn-do-you