Student leaders of organizations which adopted aby-law this fall were required to attend “Palestine 101,” a training hosted by Berkeley Law Students for Justice in Palestine. The event’s stated purpose was to teach attendees to “learn ways to create a safe and inclusive space for Palestinian students and students that are in support of the liberation of Palestine.”
Zionism is the Jewish people’s right to self-determination in our ancestral homeland. Zionism connects us to our ancestors and the land of Israel, a land which holds our people’s history, and is a home to our friends and family. Zionism is the culmination of a multi-generational struggle to live freely.Zionism is integral to our identity. For two of us, Zionism is reflected in our last names through the biblical tradition that fed into Jerusalem and culminated in Israel today.
No organization has said “Jews are not welcome,” but in practice, these by-laws and the training say exactly that. Student leaders now accept the exclusion of Jews because of an aspect of their identity. There is tolerance to marginalize us because of our faith. Thus, their widespread approval of the silencing of Jewish voices.
These organizations, which should serve as umbrellas that welcome Jews, have now proudly proclaimed: “No Zionists Welcome.” This is a designation against a critical element of Jewish identity and is no different than excluding anyone else on the basis of their faith or ancestry.
As a Berkeley alum, I'm virtually certain other students reject strident supporters of Israel's oppression of Palestinians, not Jewish fellow students. The deliberate conflation of criticism of Israeli policy with antisemitism is a tool of Israeli's right wing.
Not to say that the non-jewish world is completely correct. But Jews are in the minority numerically and religiously and what are your answers? As usual Jews have no answers. They want no answers. They don't believe there r answers. This is been my experience from within.
And knowing the Jewish attitude not for one fraction of a second do these students or the adults that brainwashed them think for a second what should we do differently? That like anything related to Jews would just be called anti-semitism and dismissed. They clearly prefer death.
Intolerance is on the RISE. Influential ppl & groups DO SOMETHING. Unite against this. There must be an all-out rejection of it. Once it takes hold it will be here to stay. We won't recognize our country. Don't let Rs do this.