UC President Janet Napolitano supports adopting state department definition of antisemitism

In an interview on Boston Public Radio, University of California President Janet Napolitano said she supported adopting the state Department definition of antisemitism,

In July. the Board of Regents will vote on whether the University of California should adopt the State Department’s definition of anti-Semitism.

Tammi Rossman Benjamin of the AMCHA initiative quickly responded

“We strongly commend Janet Napolitano for joining three UC student governments and the California Senate in understanding that we must implement our government’s definition of antisemitism on campus to identify and address antisemitic behavior with the same vigor as all other forms of bigotry"

This discussion takes place in the wake of many antisemitic incidents and after months of escalating tensions on California campuses.

Cindy Shamban, of Jewish Voice for Peace spoke against adopting the definition,  claiming it would “silence legitimate criticisms of Israel”

 Even with JVP’s warped sensibilities,  how could they possibly consider any of this “legitimate criticism” of Israel?

•UC Berkeley: Graffiti  “Zionists should be sent to the gas chamber” was found on a bathroom wall March 2 after an anti-Israel protest.

•UCLA: Four student senators who sponsored a successful divestment resolution argued in February that a candidate for a student board was ineligible because she was Jewish. She was rejected in one vote and accepted in a second after a professor intervened.

•UC Santa Cruz: A Hillel sponsored event had to be moved on Jan. 27 after repeated threats .

•UC Davis: Graffiti  “Grout out the Jews” was found in a bathroom at Hillel. Swastikas were painted on a Jewish fraternity after a  BDS vote.

•UC Santa Barbara:  Flyers appeared on campus blaming Jews for 9/11.

For more information, see: 

UC President Napolitano Supports Adopting State Department Definition of Antisemitism

150+ California Rabbis and Faculty Call on UC to Address Antisemitism

How can you help? 

Are you a University of California stakeholder? A taxpayer, a student, an alumni? Please consider signing this petition to the UC Regents. urging them to adopt the State department definition of antisemitism