A University of California Board of Regents panel unanimously approved an amended version of the Statement of Principles Against Intolerance that condemns anti-Semitic forms of anti-Zionism.
Regent Norman Pattiz, a member of the Committee on Educational Policy which voted on the statement, proposed an amendment that revised the language to read, “anti-Semitism, anti-Semitic forms of anti-Zionism and other forms of discrimination,” amid concerns about the statement possibly infringing on free speech.
The original report stated, “anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism and other forms of discrimination have no place at the University of California.”
The UC Academic Council expressed concern in a letter that the original statement would be harmful to academic freedom. Opponents of the original statement said they thought the language would not allow for criticism of Israel’s policieis.
Student regent Avi Oved said this statement embraces the First Amendment while offering protections to Jewish students who have experienced anti-Semitism on their campuses.
The working group was convened after there was a concern about rising discrimination and acts of intolerance on UC campuses. A public forum convened in October at UCLA to allow comment on the matter. The statement also names other types of discrimination, including Islamophobia, homophobia among other forms of discrimination.
The document is subjected to the full board’s approval Thursday.
As an adjunct teacher at UC Irvine (and a Gentile), I spoke twice at the regents working group meetings at UCI and UCLA in favor of passing a strong statement against anti-Semitism on our campuses. I have personally seen it and heard it over the past decade. The incidents have been well documented over the years, and this resolution is long overdue.