"The University of California Student Association, which represents hundreds of
thousands of students at all 10 UC campuses, passed a resolution today
condemning recent attempts to censure boycott and divestment efforts by
Palestinian human rights activists on campus, and demanding that the UC stop
profiting from Israel’s human rights violations. The motion passed without
opposition by a vote of 12 to 0 (2 abstensions).
The resolution follows a
recent motion passed by the California Assembly, HR-35. While ostensibly aimed
at protecting Jewish students from experiencing anti-Semitism on campus, HR-35
conflates legitimate, principled criticism of Israeli policy with anti-Semitism,
raising concerns about free speech rights and academic freedom for students and
faculty.
“HR35’s supporters wish to draw a protective circle around certain nations and say you are exempt from the same criticism that we apply to other state actors,” said Shahryar Abbasi, a voting member of UCSA representing the UC Berkeley campus. “Today’s vote is a statement that UC students believe in free speech and universal human rights. We hope UC Regents will hear and respect our decision.”
“HR35’s supporters wish to draw a protective circle around certain nations and say you are exempt from the same criticism that we apply to other state actors,” said Shahryar Abbasi, a voting member of UCSA representing the UC Berkeley campus. “Today’s vote is a statement that UC students believe in free speech and universal human rights. We hope UC Regents will hear and respect our decision.”
The resolution expresses
“the UCSA’s
opposition to all racism, whether it be the racism of campus and global
anti-Semitism or the racism of Israel’s human rights violations, neither of
which our campuses should tolerate, support, or profit from.” Israel is engaged
in a 45-year-old military occupation and colonization of Palestinian land, which
is illegal under international law." (thanks George)
