Jewish student leaders at the University of California, Irvine disputed that the campus is rife with anti-Jewish violence.
In a news release issued Wednesday, five Jewish student leaders acknowledged that while “verbal anti-Semitism” continues to exist, Jews are nevertheless “physically safe and secure” at UC Irvine. They also defended the administration from allegations that it has not done enough to counter anti-Semitism on campus.
The statement was signed by the leaders of the local Hillel chapter, the campus pro-Israel group and the heads of the local Jewish fraternity and sorority.
Chancellor Michael Drake has been criticized by the Zionist Organization of America for failing to condemn specific acts of anti-Israel rhetoric on his campus as well as his appearance at this week’s Hillel summit in Washington.
The student leaders defended Drake’s appearance, saying it exemplified the university’s commitment to civil discourse.
“We are honored, as the greater Jewish community should also be, by Drake’s unrelenting commitment, as he repeatedly condemns hate speech in all forms, and emphasizes that it has no place on any University campus,” the statement said.
