An encampment started by Students of Justice in Palestine (SJP) at the University of California Santa Cruz has demanded that the university cut ties with Jewish community organizations.
“UC Divest organized the rally, and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) of Santa Cruz, with the support of SJP National, are operating the encampment. Although the events were not explicitly linked, there was overlap among participants, with the workers’ rally expressing unity with Palestine,” The City on a Hill Press, the student-run weekly paper at UC Santa Cruz, reported.
Students involved said they are calling for a “complete academic boycott,” and SJP demands that the California university, “Cut ties UC wide with all zionist organizations — including study abroad programs, fellowships, seminars, research collaborations and universities. Cut ties with the Hellen Diller foundation, Koret foundation, Israel Institute and Hillel International.”
“Three of the four organizations cited in the academic boycott demand by encampment activists at UCSC are Jewish charities and communal groups,” the Bay Area JCRC wrote on X.
“They are pillars of the Jewish community. This isn’t just about opposing Israel’s Gaza actions but seems aimed at Jewish institutions, revealing underlying antisemitism,” the Jewish group continued.
Jewish leaders and a Middle East expert told Fox News Digital this week that the situation has worsened and highlighted areas where more action is needed.
“In the past 6 months, antisemitism has definitely gotten worse,” said Archie Gottesman, co-founder of JewBelong, in an interview with Fox News Digital this week. Gottesman’s remarks come after prominent Jewish organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee, met with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona six months ago to express concerns about the unprecedented levels of antisemitism in the U.S.
“College campuses are witnessing violent protests that are increasing in frequency,” Gottesman added. “Those closely monitoring the situation anticipate further escalation of violence, as seen last night at Columbia University, with many protesting students unclear about the reasons behind their actions. Faculty members joining these protests should be ashamed for poorly representing once-revered institutions.”
