As concerned UC students, parents, faculty, alumni and stakeholders, we commend the Regents for recognizing the reality faced by Jewish students at UC — anti-Zionism is the face of contemporary anti-Semitism and it is fueling the rise of anti-Semitism on campus. Anti-Zionism is not criticism of Israel, Israeli policies, settlements, or the living conditions of Palestinians. It is flat out denying Israel’s right to exist and/or calling for its destruction. President Obama, Pope Francis, British Prime Minister Cameron, French Prime Minister Valls, the majority of presidential candidates and the world’s leading anti-Semitism scholars all recognize anti-Zionism as anti-Semitism. We applaud the Regents Working Group chair and members for condemning anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. We know the Regents held numerous meetings, public forums, and hearings with members of the UC community and experts before developing this comprehensive approach that reflects months and months of work. It should be adopted in its entirety with broad support. A Statement of Principles without anti-Zionism would be ignoring the elephant in the room.
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