Racism dispute divides Jews

A campus divided over allegations of anti-Semitism drew another line this week.

One of the main issues appears to be how UC Irvine administrators respond to campus leaders and speakers who are critical of Israel. Student leaders issued news releases critical of each other this week as they duel over whether anti-Semitism is a problem on campus.

The dispute boils down to several questions. Is it appropriate for the administration to criticize anti-Israel comments? Would that chill free speech on campus? Does some of the criticism of Israel cross into anti-Semitism?

A number of former and current UCI students recently distanced themselves from Jewish groups on campus after organization leaders supported the university’s and Chancellor Michael Drake’s decision to “protect 1st Amendment rights” rather than censor or explicitly condemn certain speakers on campus that some have called anti-Semitic.

The dispute among Jews at UCI comes after the school has faced scrutiny over accusations of anti-Semitism on campus. A Department of Education review said the administration and university did not support anti-Semitism, but a task force review made up of community leaders, mostly Jewish, said anti-Semitism was a problem at the school and called for action.

One of the more extreme suggestions was to discourage Jewish students from enrolling. The task force was initially affiliated with the Hillel organization, but when Hillel decided to suspend the investigation and instead focus on promoting Jewish culture on campus, the task force members decided to forge ahead independently.

“I would like them to acknowledge the fact that anti-Semitism exists [at UCI],” former UCI student Reut Cohen said. “I don’t think they need to shut down any events that are within the boundaries of freedom of speech, but the administration doesn’t have to remain silent.”

The recent debate comes after students protested Drake’s speech at a Hillel conference in Washington D.C.

There were five Jewish leaders who supported UCI, and Drake did so on behalf of their organizations — Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi, UCI’s Hillel group, Anteaters for Israel and Jewish sorority Epsilon Phi. They assert that anti-Semitism exists at UCI, but that the university and Drake have done the right thing and continue to work to make the school a positive place for Jewish students to attend.

The organization leaders say the alleged problems at the school have stemmed from misinformation.

“These four organizations are accumulated of all the active Jewish students on campus,” UCI’s Anteaters for Israel President Isaac Yerushalmi said. “It’s interesting how a small group of people can make so much noise.”

That group comprises 20 students and alumni who said Isaac and those with him don’t speak for everyone. They have split off from these organizations, declaring a different position.

“We don’t want the community to believe everything is fine and dandy and we have thrown in the towel,” Cohen said. “It’s a slap in the face for us. To have five students [representing four Jewish groups] who have been at UCI for a year or two to speak for all students is unfair.”

The group of students said Yerushalmi’s group’s statement was “misleading.” The group also called for action from Drake, asking for him to “exercise” his own right to free speech and denounce anti-Semitic speech.

Cohen likened the situation to one at Cal State Fullerton last year when nooses were slung from trees. She said administrators spoke out against the hateful message and the same should be done at UCI.

“It’s the same situation here, just with a different group,” she said.

But Yerushalmi says Cohen and those who agree with her are in the minority.

“Most of them haven’t been on the ground at UCI,” Yerushalmi said. “We were representing our organizations, which are representative of hundreds of Jewish students on campus.”

Of the 20 students who signed Cohen’s release, 11 are current students, while the other nine graduated between 2005 and 2007.

Yerushalmi acknowledged that anti-Semitism at UCI was a concern and that anti-Semitic speech exists on campus, but he believes there is no threat to students and the university has done enough to keep students safe and comfortable. His news release went as far as to say “Jewish life is thriving more than ever” at UCI.

“Students on campus need to be aware that there is anti-Semitism, but we can’t stop it,” Yerushalmi said. “As long as they aren’t directly threatening a student, they can say whatever they want. What can we do?”

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at daniel.tedford@latimes.com.