Recently, the California State Assembly passed a bipartisan resolution called HR35 that pressures the UC to take harsh measures on anti-Semitism on campus. The bulk of the resolution targets groups like Students for Justice in Palestine and the Boycott and Divestment Sanctions movement as the main perpetrators of anti-Semitism. Many have criticized HR35 for silencing what is actually free speech.
HR35 is based on a recently-released report on campus climate for Jewish students on the UC. The report similarly asks the UC to stifle groups like Students for Justice in Palestine and the BDS movement under the allegation that criticism of Israel is anti-Semitic. In Rebecca Pierce’s video, students and community member express their deep concerns with the report’s shoddy methodology and silencing of free speech:
I have no problem with not stifling anti Semitism on UC campus. It is better than having it hide in some dark corner of the campus. Let it hang right out there in the open and little theses intellectually dishonest students show who true bigotry is. Bigotry includes the use of dishonest information to press a cause against another group.
It’s a shame that self hating Jews of Tikkun support these anti Semitic students. It violates the very anti bigotry values that they a=pretend to uphold.
There are many issues to be settled between Palestinians and Israelis and there is enough blame to go around on both sides. Demonizing one side smells of….well you know.
While these students are obsessing about Israel’s alleged cries, over 30,000 have been slaughtered in Syria, I know this does is of no concern to the there faux activists since Jes are not doing committing the mass murder. At the moment, I would say tat is by far a more pressing issue in the Middle East.
When a group gathers to shout down the speech of someone they disagree with and then complains that there rights of free speech are being violated it is a bit akin to a child who has murdered his parents but asks for clemency because he is an orphan! There is no question that Israeli occupation has dirtied the hands of the Israelis, but there is no question that the reason for the occupation was the undisturbed attacks on Israel.
Both sides have a great deal to be ashamed of. Both sides have a great deal to gain by cooperation and
peaceful communication. Both sides need to own their own dirty laundry and recognize how a vicious cycle has developed and been perpetuated. I would like to hear these students express regrets about the action of some Palestinians and an understanding of the Israeli response (not approval; understanding!). And likewise to hear Israelis own the dirty underside of the occupation no matter how necessary it may have seemed to be. Then, maybe, there is hope for a coming together that will benefit both and enrich everyone in the cooperation that would evolve. “I am not perfect. You are not perfect. Now, maybe we can perfect something together!”
Sheldon, well said. This groups who com pains about free speech would think nothing of disturbing the free speech of a an Israeli ambassador or pro-Israewli speaker, They see that denying the free speech of others is a form of justice. This is a classic method of the Palestinian victim industry.