The Zionist Organization of America (
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Instead, UC Irvine has actually lauded the group and honored students who have contributed to the bigotry and divisiveness on campus. In 2006, one such student, who helped organize a rally at which Jewish students were told they werent welcome, received a community service award from UC Irvines Alumni Association, was publicly praised in a UC Irvine publication, and was named a speaker at UC Irvines commencement ceremony in 2006. UC Irvines fall/winter 2009 alumni magazine recently reported that the Alumni Association awarded a scholarship to a student who is involved with the Alkalima Magazine, the magazine of the Muslim Student Union. Alkalima has published anti-Semitic and Israel-bashing articles, including one which asserted that Jews are genetically different from everyone else.
Chancellor Drake and his administration have also been slow to respond to concerns that the Muslim Student Union may have been involved in raising funds on campus for the terrorist group Hamas, when the Muslim Student Union sponsored a program featuring George Galloway last May. Such fundraising, if proven, would not only violate university policy but also federal law. When the
We were informed that the university would be issuing its report on the investigation by the end of 2009. Then the date was altered to mid-January. The date for the universitys report was changed again to the end of January. Almost five months have now passed since the university was provided with evidence of the Muslim Student Unions wrongdoing and possible violation of federal law, and yet to our knowledge, neither the Muslim Student Union nor a single administrator has been disciplined.
The administration has given the Muslim Student Union a free pass, which we believe has emboldened this group and encouraged an atmosphere that tolerates and accepts anti-Semitism and Israel-bashing. The harassment of Israeli Ambassador Oren, and the repeated trampling on his free speech rights, are the inevitable consequences of the administrations refusal to act.
University policies are crystal clear. They prohibit harassment. They prohibit unauthorized fundraising. They prohibit the obstruction of university activities, like Ambassador Orens lecture. They prohibit disorderly conduct. They prohibit participating in a disturbance of the peace. They prohibit failing to comply with the directions of university officials, like those of Professor Mark P. Petracca, who appropriately chastised the hecklers at Ambassador Orens speech last evening, and called their conduct shameful and beyond embarrassing.
In fact, the conduct was despicable and unacceptable and a poor reflection on Chancellor Drake and UC Irvine. Its time for Chancellor Drake to stop dragging his feet: The Muslim Student Unions registered status should be revoked and the group should no longer have the privilege of using university facilities. University administrators who have tolerated their misconduct should be disciplined. And the students responsible for the Muslim Student Unions ongoing infractions should be terminated until they show an ability and willingness to comply with UC Irvines policies and the values that supposedly underpin the university, including integrity and respect for others.
Under Chancellor Drakes leadership, the anti-Semitism on campus has been allowed to escalate to the danger point. We must be concerned for the physical safety of Jewish students and professors. If someone gets hurt, the university administration will be responsible. We implore Chancellor Drake to finally take the disciplinary actions necessary to stamp out the anti-Israel, anti-Semitic incitement that has infected the university.