Anti-Semitism at UCI?

A commenter emailed and requested I write something about Kenneth Marcus's article on anti-Semitism at UCI. It opens:

During the first years of the 21st century, the virus of anti-Semitism was unleashed with a vengeance in Irvine, California. There, on the campus of the University of California at Irvine, Jewish students were physically and verbally harassed, threatened, shoved, stalked, and targeted by rock-throwing groups and individuals. Jewish property was defaced with swastikas, and a Holocaust memorial was vandalized. Signs were posted on campus showing a Star of David dripping with blood. Jews were chastised for arrogance by public speakers whose appearance at the institution was subsidized by the university. They were called “dirty Jew” and “fucking Jew,” told to “go back to Russia” and “burn in hell,” and heard other students and visitors to the campus urge one another to “slaughter the Jews.” One Jewish student who wore a pin bearing the flags of the United States and Israel was told to “take off that pin or we’ll beat your ass.” Another was told, “Jewish students are the plague of mankind” and “Jews should be finished off in the ovens.”

As someone who lived and worked on campus during "the first years of the 21st century," I find it strange that I don't remember being "physically and verbally harassed, threatened, shoved, stalked, [or] targeted by rock-throwing groups." I must have taken a blow to the head—that, or the "virus of anti-Semitism [that] was unleashed with a vengeance" wasn't quite as virulent or vengeful as Marcus claims. Admittedly, I'm generally of the opinion that Orange County Jews aren't good for the Jews, but I'm particularly irked by Hillel and Anteaters for Israel for the simple reason that they're the Rex Kramer of student organizations:

That's not to say the Muslim Student Union owns the moral high ground, as all involved have been hurling chum at each other for as long as I've been at Irvine. The key words here are "all involved," because contrary to Marcus's article, "all involved" refers not to "Jewish students," but vocal members of Hillel and Anteaters for Israel who either deliberately provoke or are deliberately provoked by members of the Muslim Student Union. Of course, Marcus declines to state that the obverse is also true: "all involved" refers not to "Muslim students," but vocal members of the Muslim Student Union who either deliberately provoke or are deliberately provoked by members of Hillel and Anteaters for Israel. The university does not "foster a hostile environment for Jewish students," but it does allow Jewish students to stand in front of the library and create a hostile environment all on their lonesome.

For example, when I sported a beard last winter, a member of Hillel in the middle of an argument with a Muslim student pointed at me and asked if I supported the "racist statement" my "Muslim brother" had made. As I had no idea what my "Muslim brother" had said—my deafness when walking on campus is the stuff of legend—I politely informed her that I was Jewish, which prompted her to swing a finger at the Muslim student and demand I partake of her outrage. The Muslim student looked unfazed, which is when it dawned on me that these two had probably been doing this dance all day, all quarter, all academic year. The same "student mentors" bring the same Holocaust and counter-Holocaust walls to campus every year, meaning these professional provocateurs have to coordinate their plans to foment discord among an otherwise apathetic student body. I imagine it starts something like this:

ABBAS: I want to hate the last week of November.  Are you free then?

FYVUSH: Let me check calendar. (leans back in his chair) ESTHER! ESTHER! CAN WE MAKE TO HATE IN NOVEMBER?

ESTHER: (offstage left) NOVEMBER WHEN!

FYVUSH: ABBAS PREFERS THE LAST WEEK!

ESTHER: TELL ABBAS I SAY HELLO!

FYVUSH: ESTHER SAYS HELLO!

ESTHER: DID YOU TELL HIM I SAID HELLO!

FYVUSH: I DID!

Something like that.

Comments

[James T]

Damn, I only just noticed that 'Rex Kramer' was n "Airplane!" too!

[Ahistoricality]

The article appears to be a classic propaganda piece, lying by presenting a selective and overblown version of the truth. The mutually reinforcing creation of embattled minorities is textbook, too. You should use it in your rhetoric course.

[Naadir Jeewa]

Wow. You just captured everything I've been trying to say about the state of UK campus tensions between Islamic Societies and the Union of Jewish Students.

Still, I could rant about how the student leadership of my (Labour) party adopted the "you are all antisemites" to those who protested the Gaza war, instead of say, pursuing some sort of centre-left coalition of liberal zionists and gentile two-state supporters. But I wont.

[SEK]

I only just noticed that 'Rex Kramer' was n "Airplane!" too!

If we were playing Humiliation, I'd have to fess up to something here.

The mutually reinforcing creation of embattled minorities is textbook, too. You should use it in your rhetoric course.

Not enough pictures.

You just captured everything I've been trying to say about the state of UK campus tensions between Islamic Societies and the Union of Jewish Students.

The desire to replicate the politics of one tiny sliver of the world everywhere else in it has always baffled me. I saw this same dynamic in Italy, of all places. Because that's where it is: in all places.

[Naadir Jeewa]

The desire to replicate the politics of one tiny sliver of the world everywhere else in it has always baffled me. I saw this same dynamic in Italy, of all places. Because that's where it is: in all places.

Quite. Not sure what to do about it. As an ethnic Muslim / religious atheist, I still identify with the Palestinian cause, and wouldn't want the issue to disappear completely from campuses. I just don't want to be forced to make a choice between supporting the Gaza blockade in the name of Israeli security (or becoming an anti-Semite), and supporting Hamas in the name of anti-colonialism (or becoming an Islamophobe). But, that's the options I'm given.*

Still, I blame the political parties (or factions therein) for using I/P as a polarising wedge issue more than I blame the extremists on either side for this sorry situation.

* Guess that makes me an Islamophobic anti-Semite. Which would mean I'm a liberal fascist...

[Ahistoricality]

As an ethnic Muslim / religious atheist, I still identify with the Palestinian cause, and wouldn't want the issue to disappear completely from campuses. I just don't want to be forced to make a choice between supporting the Gaza blockade in the name of Israeli security (or becoming an anti-Semite), and supporting Hamas in the name of anti-colonialism (or becoming an Islamophobe). But, that's the options I'm given.*

As an agnostic liberal Jew, I still identify with the Palestinian cause, as well as some Israeli security concerns, and I wouldn't want either issue to disappear from our attention until they are no longer problems. Neither Hamas nor the Israeli government is worthy of energetic support at this point. I'm greatly supportive of Palestinian and Israeli people, and sincerely hope that sometime soon they get the leadership and opportunities they deserve and so clearly lack.

[nm]

Is it derailing to point out that there actually are some people who are genuine Islamophobic anti-Semites, and that unfortunately, I've met some of them? Because, if it is, ignore me.

[Andrew R.]

There's kind of a lovely timelessness about this sort of thing on university campuses. A couple of months ago, I was on the campus of the school where I'd done my undergrad. I briefly walked through the "free speech area" and all of the same groups were there just the same as eight years ago, the same informational handouts, the same signs, the same shouting. It actually made me profoundly nostalgic. (Actually, it wasn't entirely the same. I think that the Muslim Student Association wasn't so excised about Chechnya anymore).

[SeanH]

NM: I find that your modern Islamophobic anti-Semite sees much more hay to be made with the general population in (overt) Islamophobia than (overt) anti-Semitism; and of course, feigned concern about anti-Semitism provides a great stick with which to beat Muslims, in the same way that conservatives are Very Concerned when leftists are sexist.

[AlKau]

You are right that it is everywhere. I was driving into our development the morning after the Jewish New Year service and on the NEW welcome signs were symbols of Nazi hate toward Jews. So, in an upper-middle-class area hate can still be found. Whatever they used to paint the symbols has now taken several days to remove and some of the brick work will need to be replaced. The police and Homeowners Association had houndreds of messages from people upset(including mine) and I am not Jewish as you well know. It can be everywhere and it needs to be addressed and solved. I hope your generation is the one to make the changes needed.