UC President Janet Napolitano at the UC Regents meeting in Irvine The adoption of the U.S. State Department’s definition of anti-Semitism is a cause that LDB has been activity advocating for, particularly in university campuses across the nation. As LDB President Kenneth L. Marcus stated, “University administrators need a uniform definition of anti-Semitism in order to make clear what the boundaries are between hateful actions and legitimate behavior.” This need can be seen on the campuses of the University of California, where a rise in anti-Israel sentiments has also come along with a rise in anti-Semitic incidents on campus. LDB President Marcus and many of the world’s leading scholars on anti-Semitism also wrote letter to the UC Regents urging them to adopt the State Departments definition, explaining how it “offers an essential tool for identifying and educating about all forms of contemporary antisemitism.” In light of the UC Regents rejection of the Proposed Statement of Principles of Against Intolerance, as its broad language failed to deal with the issue of campus anti-Semitism, UC Berkley Student, Shauna Satnick, also recently wrote an articulate op-ed for The Daily Californian. Her article highlighted the importance of the State Department’s definition of anti-Semitism as well as why the regents should consider adopting it: Regents should adopt State Department’s definition of anti-Semitism Shauna Satnick I cannot speak on behalf of the entire Jewish population at UC Berkeley because it is not monolithic, so I speak from my own perspective. That being said, the UC Board of Regents’ proposed statement of principles concerning intolerance and anti-Semitism is too broad and does not effectively protect Jews from hate speech and other forms of anti-Semitism. The definition should be rewritten in order to more accurately reflect how Israel has been inequitably and systematically singled out among nations and thus warranting special consideration. The U.S. Department of State’s definition of anti-Semitism, which characterizes the demonization and delegitimization of Israel as anti-Semitism, comes into play only when Israel is treated differently from any other country. If other countries or groups of individuals are not subject to comparable criticism and rhetoric, then under this definition of intolerance, Israel and its supporters should be protected from hostile speech and actions. Historically, Jews and Israel’s supporters have been habitually targeted — so much so that they feel the need for the University of California to include a clause specifically protecting the Jewish community. That the pervasive sense of hostility still exists in 2015 speaks volumes. It is time that our grievances be heard and addressed. (more…)
The Brandeis Center is pleased to welcome three new members to the team, Michael Kleinman and Anne Crowell, as Civil Rights Legal Fellows, and Michelle Yabes as a Communications and Development Intern. Their arrivals come at a crucial time for LDB in light of our busy docket for the fall, which includes the launch of a new law student chapter, continued research and legal advocacy efforts in the face of a resurging problem of anti-Semitism college and university campuses across the nation. LDB President Kenneth L. Marcus welcomed Michael Kleinman, Anne Crowell, and Michelle Yabes, saying, “We are very excited to work with these new talented and capable graduates. They have been a great help to us thus far, and we are looking forward to seeing how they will continue to contribute to our campaign against campus anti-Semitism and in our work to promote justice for all.” Michael Kleinman is a recent graduate of Emory University School of Law. During law school, Michael interned with Shurat HaDin Israel Law Center in Ramat HaGan, Israel, helping the organization to bring lawsuits against those who aid and abet terror attacks against American victims of terror in Israel. Michael is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Philosophy. Anne Crowell is a 2015 graduate of The George Washington University Law School. Anne has gained prior legal experience as an intern at Freedom Now and the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights. During law school, she served as a Managing Editor of The George Washington International Law Review and earned the Pro Bono Service Recognition Award and President’s Volunteer Service Award for her pro bono work with Hogar Immigrant Services, Namati Land Rights, and the GW Family Law Pro Bono Project. In addition to her J.D. degree, Anne holds a B.A. in International Studies from Dickinson College. Michelle Yabes is a recent cum laude graduate of George Mason University. She majored in International Affairs, taking on a double concentration in ‘Global Governance’ and ‘Media, Communication, and Culture’, and minored in German and was awarded “Excellence in the German Minor” in Spring 2015. She has served as vice-chair of Indie Bands With A Mission (IBWAM), a local student-founded nonprofit dedicated to combating hunger in Washington, D.C with the help of local musicians, and volunteered with George Mason Catholic Campus Ministry for two years.
Today, LDB condemned anti-Muslim hate as a reaction to reports of anti-Muslim rallies.In response to reports that extremist groups are designating October 10, 2015, as “World Anti-Mosque Day,” the Brandeis Center issued a call for tolerance, inclusion, and understanding. LDB, which was established to fight anti-Semitism on American college campus, has repeatedly denounced anti bigotry, hate, and violence directed against any group, including Muslim and Arab Americans. LDB President Kenneth L. Marcus commented, “It is deplorable to see acts of hate, intolerance and discrimination directed at Muslims or any other group.” While the Brandeis Center is primarily focused on combatting anti-Jewish incidents, the Center has also spoken out, publicly testified, and disseminated research regarding harassment of young Muslim students in particular, but also Muslim prisoners, and others who unjust treatment. Marcus explained, “We must work as a nation to combat all forms of bigotry. Any religiously motivated violence diminishes all of us.” It is estimated that there may be planned demonstrations outside at least 20 mosques nationwide. Police forces across the country are also on alert as the groups encouraged participants in states with open-carry laws to attend the rallies armed.
Download PDF Washington, D.C.: Today, the Brandeis Center issued a statement condemning anti-Muslim hate. In response to reports that extremist groups are designating October 10, 2015, as “World Anti-Mosque Day,” the Brandeis Center issued a call for tolerance, inclusion, and understanding. LDB, which was established to fight anti-Semitism on American college campus, has repeatedly denounced anti bigotry, hate, and violence directed against any group, including Muslim and Arab Americans. LDB President Kenneth L. Marcus commented, “It is deplorable to see acts of hate, intolerance and discrimination directed at Muslims or any other group.” While the Brandeis Center is primarily focused on combatting anti-Jewish incidents, the Center has also spoken out, publicly testified, and disseminated research regarding harassment of young Muslim students in particular, but also Muslim prisoners, and others who unjust treatment. Marcus explained, “We must work as a nation to combat all forms of bigotry. Any religiously motivated violence diminishes all of us.”