Why the BDS Drive is Anti-Jewish

In the wake of the University of Michigan BDS fiasco this week, Jonathan Tobin, writing for Commentary Magazine, outlines why these campus resolutions are, indeed, anti-Semitic in nature. He also singles out the pusillanimous campus administration for well-deserved criticism.

http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2014/03/25/hate-speech-illustrates-true-face-of-bds-university-of-michigan-anti-semitism/

What happened at Michigan-and Northeastern University-and what continues to happen at San Francisco State University are concrete examples of how this well-organized movement against Israel on US campuses is escalating into a truly dangerous situation for Jewish students.

I respect the right of free speech, and when attending anti-Israel events, endeavor to observe the rules that allow even odious speakers to have their say. In theory, there is no reason why someone on campus or anywhere else should not be able to criticize the state of Israel and promote the Palestinian cause. The problem is, however, that free speech is being taken over by hate speech, thuggery, intimidation, and violence. This is where the university should step in. Either the university should act decisively in getting rid of students who engage in thuggery and intimidation on campus, or they should install a policy that anyone wishing to hold such events can take them off-campus. The university should not be a forum in which to battle out the Middle East conflict, especially when it becomes so disruptive. Student governments should also be told that they are not there to pass pronouncements on the problems of the world; they are there to deal with campus and student issues. That should be made a firm policy. Otherwise there is no justification for expending funds on student governments that spend hours on end until the wee hours of the morning debating issues that have no meaning for the university itself.