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About the Story: For the past several years, tensions have been rising between Muslim and Jewish students at UC Irvine. It started in 2003, when a Holocaust memorial was vandalized. Since then, other incidents have made matters worse. OC reporter Roger Cooper goes to UC Irvine to find out why the characteristic tolerance at college campuses is not in play here.

: ADL; CAIR; Concerned UCI Student Blog; Cross Cultural Center; Daily Pilot’s “Behind the Headlines: Susan Menning Assistant Vice Chancellor, University Communications, UCI” Blog; Hillel Foundation of Orange County; Islamic Society of Orange County; Los Angeles Times’ “Tensions Rise Again at UC Irvine” Article; Muslim Student Union, University of California Irvine; New University Online’s “Web Exclusive: Professor Mark Levine Discusses Muslim-Jewish Tensions on Campus” Article; OC Human Relations Commission; OC Register’s “The Orange Grove: UC Irvine Safe for Jewish Students” Article; OC Register’s “Religious Tolerance on Display” Article; OC Register’s “UCI Falls Short on a Test of Leadership” Article; Reutrcohen.blogspot.com; University of California Irvine’s “Stand Together for Tolerance” Video; YouTube’s “UCI Intifada” Video Blog; Tags: Anti-Semitism, Arabs, Education, Jews, Muslims, Orange County, Racism, Religion

Muslim-Jewish Tensions at UC Irvine

Publish date: June 7, 2007
Last updated: August 18, 2008

Reporter's NOTES

Roger Cooper
The challenge in covering this story is in trying to keep it in perspective. Viewed from off campus, the video clips of speakers engaged in heated rhetoric and the accounts of ongoing tension between Muslim and Jewish student groups could give you the mistaken impression of a university brought to a standstill. Step on to campus, however, and you are reminded that this is a huge institution and that this is a debate going on among some, in a student body of more than 25,000.

Insider Viewpoints

Is there a problem of anti-Semitism at UCI? The answer to this question is difficult mainly because it depends on whom the question is being asked about.

There are problems with intolerance at UCI namely because the MSU seems to have a problem with tolerating people who hold other beliefs. The college community is a place where all students should feel welcome, and students shouldn't be demonizing other students.

The fact of the matter is that there is no way to have a civil debate on campus when one of the organizations who should be involved in that debate has no interest in civility. Rather then demonizing other cultures, maybe they should promote their own, similar to how Hillel promotes Judaism and Israel on campus.

There is no point in putting another organization down because it won't help you. It makes much more sense to promote your own organization.

Alex Chazen
President
Hillel Foundation of Orange County

I have recently had a chance to interact with UC Irvine students who are actively working on resolving conflicts by participating in Difficult Dialogues, minoring in Conflict Resolution, and taking classes on Jewish-Muslim religious perspectives. They want all voices to be heard and to be respected.

To me, they are representative of our general student body with a "live and let live" attitude. (See our UCI student newspaper perspective.)

If external investigations provide additional suggestions for religious tolerance, our campus would be glad to receive them. Not everyone is content with this position.

Some in the outside community, I fear, may have a political agenda that influences their spin on life on the UC Irvine campus. To all concerned residents of California, I invite you to come and visit our campus on any day, talk to students and decide for yourself what is real.

Martha Mecartney
Academic Senate Chair, 2006 to 2007
University of California, Irvine

The Muslim Student Union at UC Irvine’s political events are distorted and out of context, which leads to people judging the Muslims on campus out of fear or prejudice, rather than listening objectively to what we have to say. One of our goals is to show people what Islam is all about.

This means that we will try to educate students on campus about issues that we feel we need to stand for. The Muslim Student Union has no "feud" with Jewish students at UC Irvine.

The MSU does not agree with the racist political ideology of Zionism. This is greatly at odds with how we see Judaism, however; we believe Judaism is a rich, beautiful faith that is rooted in the Abrahamic traditions.

Jews, as well as Christians, are considered our "brothers and sisters of the book" in Islam, and we are taught to treat them with respect. If we were to be anti-Semitic, it would go against the very ideals that our religion preaches. The conflict on this campus is over politics, not faith.

Marya Bangee
Spokesperson
MSU-UCI

COMMUNITY VIEWPOINTS

09.12.2007 | 2:43 pm
I have spent a lot of time with the UCI MSU and I can personally attest that there is no anti-Semitism in the group. Any and all differences that there might be are purely political.

I would encourage Jo from New York to look up the difference between Zionism and Judaism because they are different. And, furthermore, how can somebody who lives 3,000 miles away in New York form an unbiased opinion about the activities taking place at UCI?

I take it that you are basing your opinions on your own bigotry and hate for Muslims that you picked up from the media and from listening to the biased opinions of others. I am an American convert to Islam.

It was after 9/11 that I started reading about Islam. As such, do you really think that I would have embraced a religion that supports hate and violence?

Originally, I just wanted to know more about the people whom I kept hearing so much about on the news. As I studied, I found nothing but messages of purity, morality and kindness toward others.

I suggest that you go and do some research and get your facts about Islam and about what is really going on in Palestine straight before you continue to ignorantly slander people who do not deserve it. If you need further evidence, I suggest that you contact the MSU.

Ask them questions. Open a dialogue. I guarantee that they will be open, courteous and respectful…no matter what your political or religious views might be.

Heather - friend of UCI MSU - Orange County, California

09.04.2007 | 3:13 am
To: Alex Chazen
President
Hillel Foundation of Orange County

…and to any other UCI students who are disturbed by “The-state-of-Israel-has-to-go-Allah-Akbar!” organization.

HOW IN THE WORLD can anyone lose a PR war with an Islamic organization that looked like it just stepped out of a “Death to America” rally in Saudi Arabia? I mean, really, unless one isn’t even trying.

“There is no way to have a civil debate…when one of the organizations who should be involved in that debate has no interest in civility.”

Has Alex Chazen seen the videos of Muslim children who are saying that they hate Jews and they want to kill Bush? Has he seen the Muslim music video portraying Jews and Americans as devils?

Has he seen the cartoons that are aimed at Muslim children who are glorifying suicide bombers? You’re not dealing with a civil people (not all Muslims, just the militant ones).

“There is no point in putting another organization down because it won’t help you.”

This is ridiculous. There is plenty of reason to put down the MSU, militant Muslims and Islamo-fascists.

And it will help you. Maybe the student who is saying, “The state of Israel will soon be destroyed!” would be a good reason.

“It makes much more sense to promote your own organization.”

It also makes much more sense to attack those (through PR) who are attacking you. You don’t win a war through defense alone.

Once again: HOW IN THE WORLD can anyone lose a PR war with an Islamic organization that looked like it just stepped out of a “Death to America” rally in Saudi Arabia–unless they are not even trying? All you need to do is tell the truth. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TELL THE TRUTH.

Jo - New York, New York

08.28.2007 | 2:46 am
“The MSU does not agree with the racist political ideology of Zionism.”

But the MSU does agree with the racist, prejudiced, oppressive and disgustingly intolerant *POLITICAL* and religious ideology of Islamic Law as is practiced in the Middle East. The MSU does agree with suicide bombers killing innocent men, women and children.

The MSU *probably* does agree with the Muslims in France who, through rioting (terrorism because of religion), have had the French government agree to not go into Muslim communities, making it a Western Democracy that has handed over their land to the disgustingly intolerant, oppressive and prejudiced Islamic Law. If the MSU cared so much about the Palestinian men, women and children, the MSU would be calling for PEACE.

They would be calling for two countries: Israel and a Palestine to be recognized. But they are not.

When will there be a time when Muslims’ love for their children is greater than their hate for Israel? (Yes, I got that quote from somewhere else.)

Jo - New York, New York

08.21.2007 | 9:32 pm
To Marya Bangee:

“We believe Judaism is a rich, beautiful faith that is rooted in the Abrahamic traditions.”

I’m going to guess that this statement wasn’t taken off a sign in SAUDI ARABIA or IRAN, where there are cartoons of Jews as DEVILS and universities teach how Tom and Jerry are part of Zionists’ conspiracies. In Saudi Arabia, a Jew, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, etc., will be arrested or killed for preaching about his or her religion. Can anyone else see BS when they read it?

Jo - New York, New York

08.21.2007 | 9:23 pm
To: Donna - Aliso Viejo, Calif.

“The only reasonable side of this discussion was that of the Muslim students’.”

You actually believe that chanting “The State of Israel has got to go!” is a reasonable statement?

“My heart breaks–NOT for the poor ‘persecuted Jews,’ but for the Palestinians.”

Ask any American man whose family members were killed during 9/11 and how he felt that day. Ask any American man what would happen to him on that day if he knew that 7,000 people were at America’s BORDERS who have PLEDGED THEIR LIVES to destroying his family, his people and his country.

What would happen to that man? How can a person not turn into a monster when fighting such a monstrous enemy?

The students at MSU WERE NOT talking about the persecution of Palestinians, but about justification for destroying Israel. Go to Saudi Arabia or Iran and begin handing out pamphlets for Christianity or Buddhism and see what type of people you are dealing with.

“The modern state of Israel is actually a theocracy, NOT a democracy.”

Once again, if you visited Saudi Arabia, Iran or Yemen, or other Middle-Eastern Muslim countries and started preaching about any other religion than Islam or preaching about women’s rights, you would be KILLED or ARRESTED without trial. Even with the checkpoints, suicide bombers are able to get in.

“The Palestinians have been treated far worse.”

Once Israel is recognized as a legitimate country by the Middle-Eastern Muslim countries that are bent on destroying Israel and another state of Palestine can be recognized, then things would be better. But “The-State-of-Israel-has-got-to-go-Israel-will-be-destr
oyed!” MSU students WERE NOT TALKING about that.

“Is it “hate speech” to protest the ongoing political and economic repression of a people whose homeland was stolen at the end of a gun?”

Ma’am, you seem like a very silly person. The MSU’s point was “The-State-of-Israel-has-got-to-go!”

Jo - New York, New York

07.11.2007 | 3:40 pm
Reading through some of these posts, I see that part of the problem in understanding this debate is the fact that the modern state of Israel is actually a theocracy, NOT a democracy, and is based on Zionism (often defined as a political movement, but its roots are intertwined with religious belief and dogma). It is, therefore, impossible to separate politics from religion when you have a people claiming that God gave them the land of Israel and that you must be Jewish to be a full citizen.

I don’t think that the comparison of the Muslim Student Union to the KKK has any merit, but if you look into it, there might be an argument that the Palestinians have been treated far worse than our segregated blacks were in our own dark ages before the civil rights movement or, more recently, in the minority rule in apartheid in Africa…these are the atrocities of concern to the Muslin students, not what is contained in the Torah. Is it “hate speech” to protest the ongoing political and economic repression of a people whose homeland was stolen at the end of a gun?

I think not. Calm down and look at the facts.

Donna - Aliso Viejo, California

07.11.2007 | 11:30 am
I am a middle-aged Caucasian woman who returned to complete my BA at UCI three years ago. While I was at UCI, I took a very enlightening class called “The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict,” which was taught by an Israeli Jew with a PhD in Middle East History and who had lived in Israel.

This fact-based class has changed my view of reality forever! I became aware of the issues dealt with in your program while I was taking this class, and I must say that the only reasonable side of this discussion was that of the Muslim students’.

Does this surprise you? It did me!

Like most Americans, I was not knowledgeable about this issue and would have dismissed the conversation out-of-hand, assuming the Muslim students who dared to speak out were “terrorists,” had I not been presented with the historical facts. Like most Americans, all I understood was “my country supported Israel and, obviously, terrorism is wrong.”

I have a completely different view now, and the world makes a lot more sense now. Now that I know some of the factual history, my heart breaks–NOT for the poor “persecuted Jews,” but for the Palestinians who have been repressed by the Jews for years, having their land stolen from under their feet, their homes, their orchards–with British help–and now, immense American financial and political support.

And, for the most part, we Americans do not know because it is not on the news. I wonder why?

If you want a quick education, a good resource would be found at http://www.IfAmericansKnew.com – it will give you some facts, which will give you a hint of the dynamics of the region, and a reading list posted there is not to be missed. Or take a class at UCI!

At the very least, take a moment to Google “AIPAC” to discover why America does not know the truth (you may need to read down the list a bit; seek a source other than AIPAC itself!). By the way, the professor who taught this mind-altering class was NOT advocating the Palestinian side.

He presented the facts and hoped that his students would side with his people, the Jews, but the facts were/are overwhelmingly in support of the Palestinians as terribly abused at the hands of those who scream so loudly about “defamation.” A HUGE “thank you” to UC Irvine, and now, Life & Times, for a rare chance to speak the truth before being silenced by false accusations of the “anti-Semitic” label–a label that is nothing but a brilliant and powerful, but unfair and untrue, smear campaign designed to silence the repressed and make decent people afraid to speak the truth in polite company.

Donna - Aliso Viejo, California

07.10.2007 | 6:03 pm
In regard to the UC Irvine President Drake’s comments on free speech on campus, would he and the administration allow a KKK rally or Aryan nation week on campus?

J.A. - Altadena, California

07.09.2007 | 7:34 pm
I applaud KCET’s attempt to bring to Californians the ways in which Middle East relations affect us here at home. As the students interviewed demonstrated, the level of education about what IS happening in Palestine and Israel is very limited.

Given this, it might be more helpful for the MSU to bring Middle East scholars to speak instead of rally-criers for a while. When students (and all Americans) understand the truth, they will be set free to support a just peace in Israel and Palestine, which could prove a cornerstone for peace in the Middle East. I pray–and work–for peace.

A Tolerant Christian - Santa Barbara, California

07.02.2007 | 1:24 am
I meant to say, especially the speaker Amir Abdel Malik Ali, who says that Israel’s “days are numbered,” that “they are on their way down” and that “there will be peace when you’re gone.”

“There will be peace when you’re gone…” MSU: “Allah Akbar!” This is all pretty scary.

Jo - New York, New York

07.01.2007 | 3:48 am
I can’t believe this. I’ve been reading the comments of Muslim students from UCI.

It is said that a few Muslims make the others look bad. I will say that the few Muslims who commented here are blatant liars.

“As a student at UCI, I would like to refute any claim that there is any kind of religious tension on campus.”

If they are so confident in what they are doing, why don’t they want other students to record their speakers, especially the speakers?

“The misconception that the debate between campus organizations is a religious one MUST be cleared and corrected.”

Let’s not be surprised if NO ONE believes you. Here’s a thought: Could there be Muslims who hate Jews (and Christians, Hindus and Buddhists), but are very careful not to say so openly (right now) because there isn’t a large enough Muslim population yet?

MSU chanting: “The State of Israel has got to go!”

Here’s a MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION: IF SEVEN MILLION people in Israel DON’T voluntarily leave, how do you plan to get them to leave? I’ll ask again: How do you plan to get SEVEN MILLION ISRAELIS to leave? Which Muslim will answer this question?

Jo - New York, New York

06.29.2007 | 4:09 am
“The Muslim Student Union at UC Irvine’s political events are distorted and out of context.”

A student leader said they, Israel, will be destroyed. Please put that in context for everyone.

“…which leads to people judging the Muslims on campus out of fear or prejudice.”

Could this be because of the MSU looking like they are an anti-Western rally in Saudi Arabia and that they don’t say “Allah Akbar” in a friendly, happy tone, but rather, a “let’s-kill-the-infidels” tone of voice? Watch the videos.

“…we believe Judaism is a rich, beautiful faith…”

That’s why you invited anti-Semitic Muslim speakers that accuse Jews of causing 9/11. Does anyone else see the absolute lies in these statements?

Jo - New York, New York

06.29.2007 | 4:02 am
Everything that Marya Bangee wrote is absolute garbage and lies. It’s too obvious. Why doesn’t anyone else see this?

Jo - New York, New York

06.14.2007 | 2:30 am
For the sake of beating a dead horse, Ms. Bangee may want to revisit her comments. There were blatant examples of anti-Semitism on the “apartheid wall” that was erected for the MSU anti-Israel week.

Some of the images and words that were used have been repeated for hundreds of years, like the Jewish blood libel and infanticide, and others were used by the Nazis, like depictions of Israel as a snake (zoomorphism) and big-nosed stereotypes. For examples of Nazi-era caricatures, see Yad Vashem.

And than compare them with the photos of the Apartheid Wall here (credit: flickr website for Kelly Ramsey). And check out Wikipedia’s info about Jewish Blood Libels here.

MSU, its leaders and supporters may claim that it can’t be anti-Semitic because they, too, are Semitic, but it’s the message, not the messenger, that is disturbing. Jewish students have a right to walk on campus and not be confronted with images and words that any reasonable person would agree are anti-Semitic. Are our rights to a campus free of hate any less than those of other students?

grad student - Southern, California

06.09.2007 | 11:03 pm
As a student at UCI, I would like to refute any claim that there is any kind of religious tension on campus. By claiming that the campus is unsafe, opponents of free speech can sidestep allegations that they are contradicting the national constitution, which outdates any other nation’s.

The MSU at UCI does not deem any of their opponents’ events as hate speech, despite them being adamantly against positions that the MSU is proud to represent. It seems that the people who are scared of an opposing argument only feel that way because of lack of confidence in the position they support. UCI is the safest campus I have ever attended, and I am proud to be an Anteater.

Zeyad - Rancho Palos Verdes, California

06.09.2007 | 12:52 am
In the name of the Lord of all, for anyone to say (Alex Chazen) that the MSU has a problem with other people’s beliefs is a lie. The MSU hosts multiple BBQ’s a year for the school.

It opens its Ramadan Iftars to the entire campus, hosts a fastathon and other programs for non-Muslims. The people who have a problem and call MSU intolerant are all the Zionists.

Zionists are what MSU speaks out against, Zionism. It is groups like the College Republicans who are intolerant.

They bring in speakers who say that the only way to save yourself is Christianity. Chazen has a problem with the wall, the wall of truth.

It is his club who brings in Daniel Pipes, a man who says “the Palestinians should face the bitter crucible of war…and their wills should be crushed….” And what about Reut R. Cohen, who writes articles in the New U that insult and attack Islam, The Masjid Al-Aqsa article?

The MSU has tolerance. To be Muslim is to be tolerant.

Chazen makes claims that he cannot back because he is on the side of intolerance. He is an anti-Semite.

He is the one trying to use lies to change the perceptions of people. Not once has a valid claim of anti-Semitism been made about the MSU.

Not once has anyone explained how MSU actions are anti-Semitic, and not once has an MSU member attacked the Jewish faith. If you believe that the MSU is against Israel by being anti-Semitic, then you are mistaken.

First, learn what a semite is and then look at yourself and you will realize that by supporting people like Pipes you support anti-Semitism. Regardless of your views on the situation, stop lying.

Stop tyring to trick people to side with you. Fear God and stand up for justice.

sugasuga1 - Irvine, California

06.08.2007 | 11:19 am
The question of anti-Semitism at UCI has been in the media for the past seven-plus years since my early days as a Freshman at UCI. Through my five years at UCI as an active member in campus politics and dealings with the administration, I would say that over 90% of the campus is oblivious to any political arguments that occur.

The issue boils down to the fact that some Jewish students believe that ANY criticism of Israel is an attack on their faith, and due to this perspective, cries of anti-Jewish behavior are reported to the media and spread throughout the Jewish community. In reality, many other students, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Bhuddist and others, understand the debate and programs that were held discussing Zionism (a political ideology) as a criticism of the policies of the country of Israel and the political ideology that governs it.

For this reason, most students don’t care, especially if they have no cultural or religious connection to either Palestine or Israel. If the issue was of blatant anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish rhetoric, the majority of students would be in an uproar.

To further prove that the issue is not a religious feud, the Muslim Student Union brings Jewish speakers, including a Holocaust survivor and an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi, who have shared their ideas and opinions about their religion and the state of Israel. Lastly, a point should be made that the MSU has never said anything about any religious concept in the Torah or Psalms.

The religion of Judaism has not been bashed or criminalized, while other student groups have brought speakers who have spoken out clearly and openly against Islam. So it begs the question, “Who is really intolerant?”

osmanumarji@yahoo.com - Irvine, California

06.08.2007 | 1:40 am
As a Muslim student at UCI, I have to agree with Marya’s commentary on the issue. The misconception that the debate between campus organizations is a religious one MUST be cleared and corrected.

This is not a matter of trying to “put another organization down,” as Chazen claims, but in educating the campus of the true situation in Palestine. I do not believe that there is any intent to demonize another culture, but instead, to expose the harsh reality of a racist and oppressive political regime.

Because the political ideology of Zionism is equated to the religious belief of Judaism by people today, it is important to remove this stereotype and misinformation. One does not equal the other, and the distinction needs to be made. Muslims have no qualms with Jews; when a government’s activities are actively oppressing another people, on the other hand, it is not only a human obligation, but also a religious obligation to stand up and speak out for them.

uhyourface - Irvine, California

06.08.2007 | 1:26 am
I really commend KCET for having this program. However, I think that KCET spends too much time talking about the criticisms that the Muslim students received from Jewish groups.

However, the Muslim students have an equal amount of critique and feel equally offended by the programs that are put on by Jewish groups–which advocate the belief that Islam is a terrorist religion. KCET showed no footage and spent minimal time talking about the “X Muslim Terrorists” event hosted by the college Republicans and Jewish groups. Overall, thumbs up, KCET, for presenting an issue that affects our kids and will shape the world in the years to come.

Jp - San Diego, California

06.07.2007 | 9:10 pm
I would like to commend Chancellor Michael Drake for his forthright and courageous comments regarding charges of anti-Semitism on the UCI campus. A college campus is exactly the place for free speech and the airing of controversial topics. It would be far more productive for Jewish complainers to engage in open debate about the Palestinian problem from a historical perspective than to hide behind the accusation of anti-Semitism.

William - Hacienda Heights, California

06.07.2007 | 7:44 pm
This is so shocking! How can UCI allow hate speech on its campus?

This is not a case of “freedom of speech.” If it was, then UCI should have allowed the Jewish population a week in which they could speak out against the Muslims as well.

It, most definitely, is a religious conflict. Tolerence is a good idea, but how far can something be tolerated?

Does the school have to see physical violence on its campus before anyone will realize it has gone too far? The hate speeches given by the Muslim speakers are violent in themselves.

Yes, we believe in tolerence, but every institution has rules limiting freedom. That is a necessity.

Even this website has terms of use that prevent anything “harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, offensive, hateful or threatening to any group defined by race, religion, national origin.” These very things are taking place at UCI, and people allow it.

By permitting such events on its campus, UCI is relinquishing the authority that freedom, tolerence and constraint have when fused together. Unfortunately, Chancellor Drake is a coward and someone better suited to taking effective control should be given his position.

This is my expression of “freedom.” I hope you all can tolerate it.

Adi - Hemet, California

06.07.2007 | 7:22 pm
I commend KCET for presenting this report. We U.S. citizens need more and more intellectual debate on important issues that affect our political decisions.

This is one effective way to educate students, our future leaders and the general public. It is inspiring and encouraging to hear and see that there are passionate and fearless debates happening in our universities. Thank you.

Ameeta Nanji - Venice, California

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