Whereas, the United States Department of State adopts the definition of anti-Semitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”1
Whereas, the Department of State outlines the following as contemporary examples of anti-Semitism:
Whereas, the Department of State recognizes that Anti Semitism manifests itself relative to Israel through words and actions that:
Demonize Israel 2
However, criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic
Whereas, this legislation’s does not represent any political position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and should not be interpreted as a statement of support for one side or another. Its only purpose is to define the line between civil, academic debate and hate speech.
Whereas, this legislation is not intended to create restrictions on anyone’s right to free speech, academic freedom, or participation in social activism. It solely represents SDSU exercising its 1st amendment rights by using good speech to counter slander, libel, and hateful speech.
Whereas, according to the ADL Global 100, 1.09 billion people in the world today harbor anti-Semitic attitudes3. ADL also reported that the 2014-2015 school year “marked increase in the number and intensity of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic incidents on American college campuses.”4;
Whereas, anti-Semitism is the bigoted targeting of a historically and currently oppressed minority and should be taken as seriously as bigotry against all other oppressed minorities;
Whereas, The SDSU Campus diversity statement approved on November 4, 2003 states that SDSU has a commitment to diversity and strives to “foster a campus climate in which those diverse influences are respected and valued.”5;
Whereas, under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, students are protected from discrimination based on their race, color, or national origin at federally funded post-secondary educational institutions. Under the Marcus Policy initiated in 2004, Jewish students are now protected under Title VI, based on their ethnic or ancestral background6
Whereas, increasing incidents of anti-Semitism have occurred in Europe, most notably:
Whereas, Prime Minister Manuel Valls declared in his speech to the French National Assembly, “when the Jews of France are attacked, France is attacked and the universal conscience is attacked”10; so too, when the Jewish students of San Diego State University are attacked, the San Diego State University system is attacked; and
Whereas, incidents of anti-Semitism have occurred within San Diego State University most notably:
Whereas, incidents of anti-Semitism have occurred throughout the United States on college campuses most notably:
Whereas, campus anti-Semitism is a global problem:
Whereas, these incidences of blatant anti-Semitism, whether across the country, globe or within SDSU, are unacceptable and must never be tolerated;
Whereas, the San Diego State University Associated Students can play an essential role in illustrating and counteracting the resurgence of anti-Semitism, especially within the campus community; therefore be it
Resolved, that The San Diego State University Associated Students adopts the definition of anti-Semitism as stated in the first whereas; and let it be
Resolved, the above clause will not be used to condemn future Israel related words or actions on campus unless they fall under the aforementioned categories of demonization, double standards, and delegitimization; and let it be
Resolved, the San Diego State University Associated Students unequivocally condemns all forms of anti-Semitism, including the incidents on the SDSU campus, around the nation and Durban Institute of Technology, and rejects attempts to justify anti-Jewish hatred or violent attacks as an acceptable expression of disapproval or frustration; and let it be
Resolved, the San Diego State University Associated Students recognizes that the Jewish people, like all peoples, have a collective right to self-determination,and let it be
Resolved, the current San Diego State University Associated Students will ensure, before the completion of its term, diversity training for future council members and executives that pertains to the history of anti-Semitism and how it manifests today; and let it be
Resolved, the San Diego State University Associated Students supports efforts against any form of hatred based on religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, nationality, citizenship status, class, or identity on our campus; and let it be
Resolved, while student government will respect the right of all students to freedom of speech, it will not condone any activities that directly promote anti-Semitism, as stated in the adopted definition of anti-Semisitsm, stated in the first whereas or undermine the rights of the Jewish people to self-determination; and let it be
Resolved, as the representatives of the student body, San Diego State University Associated Students will strive to be allies of the Jewish community and all diverse communities within SDSU and pledge to actively seek open lines of communication with the leaders of the organized diverse communities on issues pertaining to their constituency; and let it be
Resolved, this resolution will be shared with University Senate, the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of the President, The Jewish Student Union, the SDSU Hillel Center, The Daily Aztec, and other organization directly associated with SDSU.