UC regents’ committee OKs ‘anti-Zionism’ as discrimination

Protesters vent their feelings on a variety of issues during a meeting at UCSF Mission Bay at which a UC regents committee adopted a document that condemns anti-Semitism and urges punishment of bigots who target others. less Protesters vent their feelings on a variety of issues during a meeting at UCSF Mission Bay at which a UC regents committee adopted a document that condemns anti-Semitism and urges punishment of bigots who ... more Photo: James Tensuan, Special To The Chronicle Photo: James Tensuan, Special To The Chronicle Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close UC regents’ committee OKs ‘anti-Zionism’ as discrimination 1 / 7 Back to Gallery

With the deft addition of three words, a University of California regent defused rising tensions Wednesday over whether UC would declare “anti-Zionism” — opposition to the state of Israel — an official form of discrimination at the famously free-thinking school.

Regent Norm Pattiz instead amended the statement to say that “anti-Semitic forms of” anti-Zionism and other kinds of discrimination have no place at UC. The contested language appeared in the introduction to an otherwise widely praised document on tolerance and free speech adopted Wednesday by a regents committee that is expected to be approved by the full board on Thursday.

“I think the amendment is a good start,” said David McCleary, a UC Berkeley graduate student and Palestinian rights activist who identified himself to the regents as a “proud Jewish student” before urging them to reject the statement equating anti-Zionism with discrimination.

Even so, McCleary and other activists said they remained concerned that pro-Palestinian activism at UC campuses would still be deemed anti-Semitic.

The 12-page “Principles Against Intolerance” and its controversial introduction were developed over several months by a group of regents and UC employees responding to a rise in reports of anti-Semitism at UC campuses. Several students and faculty members had told the group they believed anti-Zionist passions on campuses contributed to an anti-Jewish climate at UC.

The debate about the implications of equating anti-Zionism with discrimination caught fire across the country. Thousands of students, faculty and outsiders on all sides of the issue have signed petitions and emailed the regents their views of the issue UC President Janet Napolitano called one of the university’s “thorniest.”

Before introducing the amendment, the regents heard from 15 speakers, including UCLA graduate student Omar Zahzah, who asked the board if UC intended to stifle his ability to talk about his family history.

Palestinian’s concerns

“What does it mean for there to be no place for anti-Zionism at UC?” he asked the regents. “Do you mean to say that there is no place at UC for the stories of students like myself whose families were forcibly expelled (from what became Israel) in 1948? Or who languish in refugee camps? Whose homes are routinely destroyed?”

As he stepped away from the microphone, another student murmured “anti-Semite” to him as he passed, Zahzah said later.

Noted feminist and UC Berkeley comparative literature Professor Judith Butler told the regents that she was the daughter of Holocaust survivors and that “anti-Semitism is a despicable form of discrimination.” However, she said, UC should not conflate it with anti-Zionism, “a political viewpoint protected by the First Amendment.”

Taking the opposite view was Liat Menna, a UCLA undergraduate, who told the regents that as a Jew and a Zionist, “I find myself on campus having to defend myself, being demonized by (students) calling for my death.” Menna said she has professors who “use academics as a platform for indoctrination against Zionism.”

There were others, each encapsulating their experiences into arguments for or against the idea that expressing views against Israel chills the campus atmosphere for Jewish students.

The full Principles Against Intolerance document goes beyond the question of anti-Zionism. It supports mutual respect for all groups, condemns harassment of anyone, and urges punishment of bigots who target others.

Regent’s support

“I enthusiastically support this (document) and the amendment,” said Regent Bonnie Reiss, a member of the educational policy committee that unanimously approved the Principles Against Intolerance.

Student Regent Avi Oved, who helped develop the document and introduced the “anti-Zionist” language, also endorsed the amendment.

There’s a difference between criticizing Israel and being “anti-Zionist,” he said, characterizing the latter as “a license to deride and demonize other students.” He gave examples he’s heard from students: “It’s calling Jewish students ‘dirty Zionists,’ ‘Zionist pigs,’ or saying we need to send you back to the gas chamber.”

Oved called on each of UC’s 10 campuses to provide bimonthly reports on all acts of discrimination against students.

“We need to build a thorough record and ensure the accuracy and authenticity of these accounts,” he said.

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov