Faith

‘Racist’: CA Lawmakers Pass Controversial Resolution Denouncing Anti-Semitism at Universities

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — An Assembly resolution urging California colleges and universities to squelch nascent anti-Semitism also encouraged educators to crack down on demonstrations against Israel, angering advocates for Muslim students.

With no debate, lawmakers on Tuesday approved a resolution that encourages university leaders to combat a wide array of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel actions.

California Assembly Passes HR35 to Squash Anti Semitism | Israel

Photo Credit: FILE

“California schools need to recognize that anti-Semitism is still a very real issue on college campuses around the state — it did not disappear with the end of World War II,” said Assemblywoman Linda Halderman, R-Fresno, the resolution’s author.

Most of the incidents of anti-Semitism the resolution cited are related to the Israel-Palestine debate. These include instances of protesters comparing Israeli police to Nazis and urging support for Hamas.

The resolution, which is purely symbolic and does not carry policy implications, also condemns the suggestion that Israel is a “racist” state and that Jews “wield excessive power over American foreign policy.” The resolution characterizes the student campaign to pressure the University of California system to divest from Israel as anti-Semitic, and applauds university leaders’ refusal to consider it.

The Council on American Islamic Relations said the resolution went too far and constituted an attack on students’ right to free expression.

“To be clear, genuine acts of anti-Semitism should be condemned, but this resolution goes far beyond that,” said Rachel Roberts, a spokeswoman for the group. “By characterizing pro-Palestinian speech as anti-Jewish, the Legislature sidelines those Muslim students and progressive Jewish students who often organize together to raise awareness about the Middle East.”

Roberts said the council was disappointed that the resolution was drafted and passed while California colleges were out of session.

California Assembly Passes HR35 to Squash Anti Semitism | Israel

Photo Credit: CAIR

Pro-Palestinian protests have become a regular occurrence on many University of California campuses. Students sometimes use sensational tactics including simulating checkpoints and combining swastikas with the Star of David.

In 2010, 10 Muslim students were convicted of misdemeanors for repeatedly interrupting a speech by Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren at UC Irvine, where students were suspected of painting swastikas in university buildings.

The Assembly’s actions also drew criticism from free speech advocates. Carlos Villarreal, director of the San Francisco chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, called the resolution irresponsible and dangerous because it combines legitimate condemnations of acts of intimidation and hate with specific objections to tactics used to support the Palestinian people.

“In doing so, it can be seen as having no other purpose than to demonize all those who criticize the nation-state of Israel or support the rights of the Palestinian people,” he said.

Halderman did not mention Israel when she introduced HR35, which passed on a voice vote with 66 of the Assembly’s 80 members signing on as co-authors.

Some of the lawmakers who signed on as co-authors when the resolution was called on the floor seemed surprised to later learn of the references to Israel. Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, was one of the few who did not support it.

“Ignorance reigns up here,” he said.

One of the resolution’s co-authors, Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, said she understood critics’ concerns.

“We absolutely have to have colleges and universities that are free from anti-Semitism,” Lowenthal said. “But we just have to be careful that we don’t accidentally silence legitimate debate as we try to shut down organized hate.”

The California Legislature has no Muslim members, according to the council.

Comments (43)

  • Yakov-Yurovsky
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 7:20pm

    Is there a difference between anti-semitism and anti-Isrealism? I mean, if there is, I’m sure the line is easily crossed but is it possible?

    Report Post » Yakov-Yurovsky  
    • TheDank
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:22pm

      Is there a difference between a homeland for Whites and a homeland for Jews?

      Report Post »  
  • Larry E
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 4:23pm

    How about a swastika with a star and crescent since the Islamo-fascists are much more like Nazis than Israel ever hoped to be. CAIR and the rest of the Islamo-fascisti need to be sent someplace outside of the USA, e.g., Gaza where they can carry on to their little fascist hearts content.

    I guess hate speech really isn‘t hate speech if it’s aimed at Jews and Christians though.

    Report Post »  
    • TheDank
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:23pm

      What a useful little idiot for Zionists. Israel needs more bullet sponges for their wars in the Middle East – why don’t you go?

      Report Post »  
  • pennswoods
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 12:43pm

    Freedom of speech means we have the right to tell other people what they do not want to hear. No one who believes in freedom of speech wants verbal hatred of any religion or of atheists to be used to cause violence. No country or religion is above be criticized. Personally I loath the radical Palestinians and radical Islam and don’t trust their motives for an instant. Israel isn’t above being criticised and Jews have their share of hypocrisy and hate mongers: Chief rabbi Of Jerusalem and Israel Ovadia Yosef

    Report Post »  
    • AbeBird
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 2:44pm

      Freedom of speech means you have the right to tell lies on Israel but wipe out when the truth is being told on Arabs. Freedom of speech is a freedom to say the truth and not to spread lies, hatred, falsehood, conspiracy theories in Israel and Jews. Freedom of speech is not a freedom to shout “fire” in a crowded theater ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shouting_fire_in_a_crowded_theater ). Rabbi Ovadia Yosef (He is not the Chief rabbi Of Jerusalem and Israel) may say what he thinks but he is one of few that represents himself. But within the Arab population in what you call “Palestinian areas”, most of the Qadis, Imams, Mullahs, Muftis, Faqihs, Ayatullahs… are working in the PA or Hamas Gazan’s government and are paid by these authorities from the money that is donated by the US and Europe. Israel isn’t above being criticized by anyone who think that he is clever enough to really criticize Israel, but if you want to criticize Israel why wound’t you bring cases where Israeli officials say something rude on Muslims (If being said, they are very well criticized by the Israelis themselves, because Israel is a democracy and Arab states are dictatorships). Arabs use to cheer and yell of joy to any of their religious leaders hate speech against Christians and Jews. Their belief forces them to produce that hate.

      Report Post »  
    • TheDank
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:25pm

      Do you loathe the radical Jews? Like the ones that founded Israel. You know, the known terror groups like the Irgun and the Stern Gang that blew up the King David Hotel? These radical loons later ELECTED one of the terrorists that blew up the hotel and Prime Minister! Currently Israel supports terror groups like PKK and MEK.

      Report Post »  
  • pennswoods
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 12:42pm

    Freedom of speech means that we have the right to tell people what they do not want to hear. No religion, country,or group is above being criticized. I loath the radical Palestinian cause and radical Islam but Israel isn‘t above being criticized for it’s hypocrisy in the past. Over 800,000 Palestinians who were thrown out of what today is Israel in early 1948 to make way for a homeland for European survivors of the Holocaust and other Jews from ancient Jewish communities all over North Africa and the Middle East who’s last ancestors left, what is now Israel, before or after the Romans destroyed Jerusaelm almost 2,000 years earlier. For examples of Jewish bigotry that is seldom made public in the West read the Jerusalem Post October 10, 2010 issue of the Jerusalem Post headlined “Ovadia Yosef: Gentiles Exist Only to Serve Jews”… Ovadia Yosef former Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem and pal of Netanyahu is an anti Gentile bigot who’s hatred of non Jews equal or manbe surpasses the hatred of any Jew hating Nazi. The Hasidic Jews are equally as bigoted. Anyone can look up the hatred of them. One example is how they pride themselves as having the “DNA of G-d”. Look these evil people up if you want an entirely new view on Jewish and Israeli “tolerance”… Israel is presently deporting tens of thousands of black African “illegal aliens” by putting them on planes and shipping them home. Imgine if the USA did the same to Mexican illegals, Liberal American Jews would be scream

    Report Post »  
    • jeffile
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 4:00pm

      Excuse me but no one was thrown out of Israel in 1948. On the contrary, hundreds of thousands of Jews were most certainly expelled from Arab countries. What has Israel done that is so terrible? Sending a precision air strike in retaliation for hundreds of indiscriminately aimed Palestinian rockets? Yes, there have been questionable acts by some individuals but that is not Israeli policy as opposed to Palestinian policy towards Israel.

      Report Post »  
    • Mgindi26
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:55pm

      PENNS
      1. The Arab population that left the area know as the palestinian mandate in 1948 for the most part left on their own accord when they were told by the 5 neighboring Arab nations to get out of the way so that they can wipe out the jews. Those Arabs that didn’t leave were given citizenship and since there have always been arabs on the Israeli Knesset (currently 16 of the 120 members of the Knesset are arabs compared to 0 of 100 US Senators are African American and only 43 of 435 members of the House are AA) so it would seem to me that compared to the US Israel is not racist.
      Next your comment about Rabbi Yosef. First of all I‘m assuming you don’t speak Hebrew so you never heard or understood the comment yourself. Second of all like in the US the newspapers in Israel are far left and anti religious and would do anything to paint him i in a bad light. The comment was taken out of context to smear Rabbi Yosef.
      Here is the context.
      In Christianity only those that accept Jesus will be saved in Islam only muslims will be saved. Judaism doesn’t discriminate like that. The question to Rabbi Yosef was”what will the gentiles do in the world to come is all that is done there is learn Torah? how will they merit being there?“ Rabbi Yosef answered ”the Gentile will exist to serve the Jew so he can share the Jews reward for learning” so unlike the other religions where non believers get eternal damnation. Rabbi Yosef says Jews share heaven with Gentiles. Its not racism its

      Report Post »  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 12:09pm

    UC rejects the resolution, too.

    http://www.sfgate.com/education/article/UC-rejects-anti-Semitism-resolution-3822759.php

    This is America, not the Middle East. Y’all need to worker harder at getting along!

    Report Post » Elena2010  
  • Lordcsmith
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 8:40am

    I’m not sure how I feel about this. Watch some of the demonstrations of these pro-palestinian student groups. Specifically, look up videos when David Horowitz speaks and they show up in full force. One girl told him in front of the entire room that they wouldn’t stop until they saw the death of the Jews including him. They have gotten pretty bad if California felt they needed to do something about it. Go read it, the Palestinian Constitution calls for the extermination of the Jews. Pro-palestinian and anti-semitic are tied together. They basically mean the same thing. Trying to unravel that with our touchy feely legislation habits is not going to be easy. At the same time, we let the klan walk around. People call up the New Black Panthers when we need to laugh about something. I’m not real sure why folks pay credence to the pro-pal groups but in this country acting like an idiot is a birthright. So, not sure how I feel about it.

    Report Post »  
    • menticide
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 8:53am

      As a person who comes from an ethnically German-Jew background, I fully agree with you. I don‘t see any reason to censor anyone’s free-speech. In fact, I welcome free-speech, even from those I disagree with, at least then I can identify any potential enemies or threats. And, as a religious Christian I also realize just how dangerous censorship can really be…

      Report Post » menticide  
    • kenboo1
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:12am

      Free speech doesn’t mean painting and defacing public property. Read the article again. Furthermore, the feelings are so out of control that the safety of certain individuals (jews) are threatened. When someone or a group is so bold to say they want to see you dead and are willing to verbalize that in front of a recorder, that is very close to terroristic threatening (illegal). The university is responsible to maintain order on their property. What are they to do? Assign a police officer to protect each Jewish student?

      Funny, the Arabs that are citizens of Israel, (yes there are Arabs that reside in Israel) enjoy freedom and prosperity, while the Arabs (Palestinians) that want to kill all the Jews live in squalor and shame… Do we really want to deal with that in our country? Why invite the fight here?

      Report Post »  
    • tzion
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 12:33pm

      I can understand your hesitation but I should point out that nothing has actually changed. The resolution is nonbinding so all it does is say “This behavior, which is otherwise entirely legal, we find to be deplorable and believe it should be discouraged.” To me it sounds like they’re voicing their view on the issue, not suppressing that of anyone else.

      Report Post »  
  • stogieguy7
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 8:37am

    So, CAIR, does your statement mean that you will also stand with the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist organizations when their legal rights to assemble are squelched by protesters? Somehow, I doubt it.

    Basically, CAIR is a hypocritical organization that doesn’t stand on any principle aside from hatred for the rest of us. Which is why Obama LOVES them.

    Report Post » stogieguy7  
  • Individualism
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 8:06am

    this is a violation of the first amendment and unacceptable.

    Report Post » Individualism  
    • WindyDualism
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 8:56am

      you should start hitch hiking now then to get out there and tell em how it should be in Indy world. Indy, hater of Jews, Mormons, and all peoples of faith unless it involves CAIR or paleostinians or muslims. Rock on you indy guy, you.

      Report Post »  
    • Kitsune
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:40am

      Would you support hundreds of people showing up across the street from where you live and demanding your death? Demanding laws be followed that required your death?

      Or is it only OK when it‘s people you don’t like?

      Report Post »  
    • Individualism
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:05am

      funny how big goverment folks like you were the ones that mass murdered those people, Hitler and Bogs were big goverment fascists like Romney. Also Israel has nothing to do with anyone demanding anyones death at someones house, it has to do with being able to criticize the police state.

      Report Post » Individualism  
    • Calm Voice of Reason
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:24am

      I agree. To discourage speaking against the Jews as a people is not something I disagree with; I think we should make hate-speech socially unacceptable. However, we should have every right to criticize Israel as a nation. They should not get any special status.

      Report Post » Calm Voice of Reason  
    • Kitsune
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:37am

      When the Islamists keep using the term “Death” (”Death to Israel, Death to America!”), yes, calling for someone’s (or in this case, an entire population’s) Death is EXACTLY what it is.

      Wanting to reach for “moral relativism” doesn’t somehow excuse those of Muslim and/or Arab background’s murderous chants, desires, fatwas, and even direct aggression.

      Of course, it’s so much easier for you to paint everyone who disagrees with you as being identical evangelical zionists, otherwise there‘s no justification for your bending over backwards for those who wish to impose The Shari’ah upon the entire world.

      Report Post »  
    • tzion
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:06am

      @collectivism
      How is it a violation? This isn’t even a law. It was simply a nonbinding resolution condemning specific forms of behavior. If anything it’s an exercise of free speech. The resolution doesn’t make condemnation of Israel illegal so it is unable to suppress free speech.

      Report Post »  
  • justangry
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 8:05am

    “To be clear, genuine acts of anti-Semitism should be condemned, but this resolution goes far beyond that,” said Rachel Roberts, a spokeswoman for the group. “By characterizing pro-Palestinian speech as anti-Jewish, the Legislature sidelines those Muslim students and progressive Jewish students who often organize together to raise awareness about the Middle East.”

    So CAIR is saying there is a difference between anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment and condemning anti-Semitism. The article also says that they wanted to stop people from saying that Israel is racist. Now, I went out to Israel’s official site and their immigration policy is racist. I don’t believe all Israelis are racist though. According to the Blaze, me saying this is anti-Semitic, but I disagree. I think I’m stating the facts, and refuse to lump and entire population into a group of “good guys”. Positive collectivism is still racism and every bit as dangerous as negative collectivism. Regardless, stifling free speech is never the answer. I’d like to see more honest debate on the issue myself. Too many liberties have already been lost to allow free speech to be lost as well. I personally don’t believe being anti Israel and anti-Semitic are one in the same, and I denounce any effort to stifle free speech in me saying this. I know in my heart I don’t hate Jewish people, and I don’t need someone telling me otherwise.

    Report Post » justangry  
    • tzion
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:29am

      @just
      Not one thing you said even qualifies as anti-Israel. You criticized a specific policy, you didn’t call the country evil or racist. Those who are truly anti-Israel seek to destroy, weaken, or punish Israel as a whole. I personally am critical of Israel’s special treatment of the Ultra-Orthodox, as are many Israelis for that matter. I’m also uncomfortable with their exempting non-Jewish citizens from military service. I could understand if they made accommodations so that Muslim citizens weren’t faced with a conflict of interest but total exemption is too much.

      On the issue of their immigration policy, I’m not going to deny that it favors Jews. However, that said it isn‘t enough just to look at the policy without looking at the history behind it and what it’s done. The Law of Return, as it is commonly known, was a response to how Jews were denied refuge during the Holocaust. In many cases, the Jews were turned away for no other reason than the fact they were Jews. Even the US itself sent a ship of desperate refugees back to Europe, an incident now known as the Voyage of the Damned. And while some of those on that voyage were accepted by Britain, some were taken in by France which would come to be under Nazi control.

      Perhaps the most important event leading to this policy though is what happened to the SS Struma. This ship, carrying refugees seeking to escape Europe, was towed out to sea by Turkey and stranded before being torpedoed and sunk.

      Report Post »  
  • Kitsune
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 8:02am

    Eric Holder will see that it doesn‘t advance the cause of Shari’ah Law and will say “Well, we can’t have that. It’s not fair to Islam.” Then he‘ll bring the full power of the Department of Social Justice down on them in defense of CAIR and The Shari’ah.

    Report Post »  
  • Johann
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 7:58am

    Time to remember history; in the 1920s and 1930s the greatest support for Hitler and his National Socialist party came from the univerisities. Both students and professors ardently came out in full fledged National Socialist demonstrations. Many professors found high positions in the Nazi hierarchy and led the destrutive politicalization of all academics. California professors exhibit the same tendencies and should be called to account.

    Report Post »  
    • TheDank
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:27pm

      Now they support the Judeo-Nazis of Israel.

      Report Post »  
  • Magyar
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 7:57am

    The saddest point to this is that any state assembly in America had to pass such a resolution in the first place….

    What have be become as Americans?

    Report Post »  
  • country_hick
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 7:47am

    “An Assembly resolution urging California colleges and universities to squelch nascent anti-Semitism also encouraged educators to crack down on demonstrations against Israel…”

    “Some of the lawmakers who signed on as co-authors when the resolution was called on the floor seemed surprised to later learn of the references to Israel.”

    Out of the whole thing THIS is what should anger anyone with a functioning brain cell! Politicians from locals up through the President are voting and passing laws that they have not read or understood.

    The politicians that expressed this view should be recalled for political fraud, incompetence, and negligence. It is time WE THE PEOPLE make politicians responsible for their acts!

    Report Post »  
  • The_Cabrito_Goat
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 7:42am

    I bet the young Jewish boy in the center of all of this feels great for starting a controversy by simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time…I hope he can find peace and quiet soon.

    Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
  • GeorgeWashingtonslept here
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 7:11am

    Wow, now watch the DOJ come full guns at them……………..saying it’s against freedom of speech…….Hold on to your Yarmulkes folks, it’s going to get ugly!

    Report Post »  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 7:09am

    Wow hard to believe . I pretty sure they will rescind the order once they get even a little pressure.

    Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
  • momrules
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 7:08am

    Of course C.A.I.R would be against anything that addressed the increasing anti-Semitism, anti- Israel screeching in America. C.A.I.R is a hate group supplying other hate groups with money and legal defense for anything that promotes Islam.

    Report Post »  
  • Edohiguma
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:59am

    All Pro-Palestinian protestors should be shipped to random islamic countries so that the supporters of genocidal maniacs can experience some proper islamic “cultural enrichment”.

    And of course CAIR is whining.

    Report Post » Edohiguma  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:55am

    Glad to see the CA assembly make a stance against anti-semitism activities; now watch for Holder and the DOJ to come crashing the doors down at the orders of Obama.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • BryanB
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 6:49am

    “In doing so, it can be seen as having no other purpose than to demonize all those who criticize the nation-state of Israel or support the rights of the Palestinian People.”

    Their is No“ Palestinian People” and never has been………

    Report Post » BryanB  
    • AintLIBSjuzGreat
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 7:47am

      well said my brother, The FACT that there is no such people as palestinian`s nor was there ever a palestine drives my ill informed nieces crazy.

      Report Post »  
    • justangry
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 7:52am

      What would you call the Arabs that were born there?

      Report Post » justangry  
    • menticide
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 8:06am

      You mean like Arafat? He was born in Egypt…

      Report Post » menticide  
    • Lordcsmith
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:04am

      Well, if you look at the history the land was known as Judah and Israel. After the Jews revolted against the Romans, the Romans won and called the land Palestine (in honor of the mortal enemies of the Jews: The Phillistines) to erase the memory of the Jews. Read the stuff Vespasian did and you’ll understand the utter hatred he had for them. It was a wasteland up until the Jews moved back. Read Mark Twain’s visit to the holy land. No one was there. The Brits conquered the land as an overland route connecting Egypt (their prize) to India (their other prize) in WW1. Anyone born in that area before WW1 were Ottomans. Just like I was born in Georgia but I’m an American. After the destruction of the Ottomans, the land was divided up. The Jews fleeing Nazi Germany were promised that sliver known as Israel in exchange for their help against the Nazis. The Brits initially offered them Uganda, if memory serves correct but roughly a million Jews had emigrated to Israel already. Afraid of irking the Jordanians the Brits interred the Jews fleeing Germany on Corsica and reneged on the deal. The Jews that were in Israel, realizing that the Brits would not honor their agreement, revolted and were immediately attacked by their peace-loving neighbors. ALL of them. The Jews won. Anyone born before the Jewish revolt was a Jordanian. Anyone born their now is Israeli. There is no Palestine. Palestinian is the name taken on by anyone that runs in there to fight against the Jews.

      Report Post »  
    • Elena2010
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 12:24pm

      To angry — call them Arabs or Israeli citizens if their parents chose rightly.

      The tenant Arab population migrated fm other countries — mostly Syria, Egypt, and Iraq — in search of work when the Brits held the mandate.

      Report Post » Elena2010  

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