University of California Los Angeles received a shock at the start of the 2016-2017 academic year. Former student president Milan Chatterjee, a third year law student who is Hindu, announced he was leaving UCLA due to anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism on campus.
Milan Chatterjee explained that UCLA has “become so hostile and unsafe” he feels compelled to leave. While serving as student president, he’d made funding for a campus diversity event contingent on participants not calling for the BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) of the Jewish state. In response, Chatterjee recounts he was harassed and discriminated against, and was the victim of a vicious smear campaign by anti-Zionist activists. When he appealed to the university’s administration for help and support, he found them "non-responsive and unhelpful.”
Milan Chatterjee
In response to Chatterjee’s announcement, UCLA released a statement saying that while it does not itself call for sanctioning Israel, “supporters and opponents of divestment remain free to advocate for their position as long as their conduct does not violate university policies.”
Milan Chatterjee announced that he plans to finish his law degree at New York University School of Law instead.
Milan Chatterjee isn’t the only non-Jewish student or educator to leave university positions due to anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism in recent months.
Oxford
In February 2016, Alex Chalmers, Co-Chairman of the Oxford University Labour Club, resigned, noting that members of the club, which is affiliated with the opposition British Labour Party, have “some kind of problem with Jews”.
Alex Chalmers
Citing the club’s “poisonous” attitude towards Jews and Zionists, Chalmers described an atmosphere in which the term “Zio” was used as a grave insult, students professed solidarity with the terrorist group Hamas, and concerns about anti-Semitism were casually dismissed out of hand.
The following month, March 2016, another Oxford University Labour Club official, Brahma Mohanty, also resigned from the club’s executive committee and his post as Disabilities Officer. Despite being “passionate” about his political work, Mohanty wrote in his resignation letter that the club had become extreme, particularly in its recent passing of a motion in favor of Israeli Apartheid Week.
The club’s obsession with anti-Zionism had rendered it “a meagre shadow of its former glory" and led Mohanty to stop his impassioned political work.
Sydney
In August 2016, a non-Jewish student at the University of Sydney withdrew from a course after being criticized for presenting a report on the Holocaust. The student, who has not been named, was taking a course on Holocaust studies, and wrote a report linking modern anti-Semitism with anti-Zionism. As he presented his project in class, the tutor interrupted him saying, “We don’t want people to get the wrong idea about you.” The student was later given a low grade that he felt was motivated by anti-Semitism.
A spokesman for the University of Sydney has said the university is “extremely concerned” about the incident, “and would like to investigate this matter further.”
Lille, France
Five months after taking a job teaching philosophy at France’s first state-supported Muslim school, Muslim teacher Sofiane Zitouni quit the prestigious Averroes Lycee, citing extreme anti-Semitism and radicalism.
In an open letter to a French newspaper in February 2015, Mr. Zitouni explained that students at Averroes routinely made statements like “The Jewish race is cursed by Allah”. Staff members seemed to agree, warning Mr. Zitouni that he would “make enemies” by opposing the school’s anti-Semitic ethos.
The school responded to Mr. Zitouni’s letter by saying they intended to sue. It has been rated as “excellent” by school inspectors since it opened in 2004.
Each of these principled individuals could have easily chosen not to speak out against anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. Instead they courageously spoke out and even left comfortable positions to take a stand.
(12) Wayne, September 14, 2016 11:58 AM
once again....
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” ― Edmund Burke
It appears these men took Mr. Burke's admonition to heart.
(11) Douglas K. Turner, September 10, 2016 6:59 PM
Although all non-Jewish, all suffered from anti-semitism
The article failed to emphasize that prior to publicly opposing anti-semitism, every one of these non-Jewish individuals suffered from it.
(10) Deborah, September 8, 2016 3:10 PM
Disturbing
As a non-Jew, I would also take the same position as these other people. I am increasingly disturbed and disgusted by the lax attitude towards anti-Semitism here in Britain.
Linda, July 21, 2020 2:52 AM
Thank you
You are the righteous people that God. created.
Thank you
(9) Nancy, September 4, 2016 10:27 PM
Yasher Koach and Kol Ha Kavod!
I am moved to tears by the actions of these people. Thank you to everyone. Thank you also to Dr. Yvette Alt Miller for informing me about this VERY IMPORTANT event.
(8) Anonymous, September 4, 2016 7:20 PM
Anti-religion
Anti-religion is bigoted and wrong . Bigoted religionists toward another religion is very wrong and not to be tolerated.
Here in Israel, we are tolerant of all religions to be respected. We all can vote, under the same laws, protected by the police and fire depts, and have the opportunity to prosper .
After all, we are the Holy Land and love this land.
Tuvia M.
(7) Shifra Baila, September 4, 2016 6:01 PM
Non-Jews Fighting Anti-Semitism on Campus
As a Jew living in Israel, I feel I must commend these young men, especially Mr. Zitouni, for having the courage to speak out on behalf of Jews and Israel and against the BDS movement. They define the word "Hero" by their very actions.
Thank you!
(6) myron timinsky, September 4, 2016 3:37 PM
I agree. HEROES!
I agree. HEROES !
(5) Anonymous, September 4, 2016 3:02 PM
shame as alumni
I was graduated as ucla undergrad in 1995, the campus' strong jewish present definitely give me some 'influences' to become a ger/tzedek. Hearing this news, i was ashame myself upon hearing this news.
(4) Shelly, September 4, 2016 2:54 PM
Heroic Actions
The wonderful people, who left very prestigious positions, are true heroes. Not only did they stand up against anti semitism (and let's not kid ourselves, anti Zionism IS anti semitism), they gave up paid positions or positions of prestige, whether for school or employment. Every Jewish person ought to thank these brave individuals who are not personally discriminated against (as they are not Jews). What they did speaks volumes as to their character and their beliefs of right vs wrong. How can we (yes, WE, as every Jew is personally affected by the actions of these brave individuals), contact them to tell them... THANK YOU
(3) Ayalah, September 4, 2016 2:14 PM
People with good values
(2) Avigayil, September 4, 2016 1:48 PM
Bravo
Thank you for bringing these stories to light; these people deserve both our gratitude and respect.
(1) Lee, September 4, 2016 10:16 AM
Heroes!
Respect, gentlemen!