University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) Commits to Confronting Anti-Semitism

Hat tip Jewish Insider

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has taken a major step forward in confronting what has been an on-going problem of anti-Semitism on its campus. Here is a joint statement issued by the University, Jewish United Fund Chicago, Illini Hillel, Hillel International, Illini Chabad, Arnold & Porter, and the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law.

Having followed the events at UIUC over the past couple of years (see previous articles here and here), I applaud Chancellor Robert Jones for this action and his statements in support of Jewish students. I think it is also notable that the university statement, rather than simply condemn anti-Semitism in general terms, has specifically included language that makes it clear that at least a portion of the problem is due to anti-Zionist feelings toward Israel. My own personal opinion, generally speaking, is that opposition to Israel is the major aspect of campus anti-Semitism in our universities. While it is not necessarily anti-Semitic to be critical of Israel’s policies vis-a-vis the Palestinian issue, I have personally seen how it has all-too-often spilled over into pure Jew-hatred. All too often, we have seen and heard anti-Jewish canards that have been around for centuries and pre-date the establishment of the modern state of Israel used against Jews in general.

It is not just the University of Illinois. This problem has spread to campuses all over the country and must be stopped in its tracks. Student governments are being paralyzed every year by forced debate and votes on whether to boycott companies doing business with Israel-as if this has anything to do with student life on campus. Campus police have their hands full anytime a speaker who might be pro-Israel is invited to come at speak because disruptions by Students for Justice in Palestine and/or the local Muslim Student Association are sure to result. Meanwhile, vicious anti-Israel/anti-Jewish speakers appear regularly on campuses. And the result of all this is bullying and intimidation directed at Jewish students.

I have met many Jewish alumni from various universities who have recounted to me how they don’t look back on their alma maters with fond memories because of the harassment they suffered and the lack of support they received from the university in question-and, in many cases, the lack of support they received from major Jewish organizations who are supposed to look out for Jewish students in these situations.

But to the specific case at hand, UIUC has had problems which they have acknowledged and pledged to make things right. This is a positive step, but it must be followed up on. The above statement should not just be something to stick in the files as “documentation” that the problem is being addressed. The coming months and years will tell us whether UIUC has become a safe campus for Jews.