The University of California, Irvine has placed approximately 40 members of the Students for Justice in Palestine on academic probation for two years for interrupting an event held by a pro-Israel organization.
Ynetnews reports that during an event held by Students Supporting Israel in May, nearly 40 members of Students for Justice in Palestine shouted down the event featuring IDF reservists. Ynetnews claims students at the event yelled, “Israel, Israel what do you say, how many kids have you killed today?" and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
The LA Times reports students also yelled, “Israel, Israel you can’t hide. We charge you with genocide” and “Hey hey, ho ho, these colonizers have got to go.”
According to Ynetnews, the students involved in the disruption will be placed on a two-year probation, be forced to attend 12 mandatory meetings to discuss free speech, and be required to meet with the dean’s office before hosting campus events.
According to the UCI Office of Inclusive Excellence, “Any further violations of university policy may result in suspension or a revocation of the organization’s status.”
The LA Times notes this is the second time Students for Justice in Palestine interrupted an event held by pro-Israel students. The administration had previously warned the students that their organization would be under “increased scrutiny” and students would be given harsher punishments in the future.
However, in a statement from Students for Justice in Palestine, Daniel Carnie (who the LA Times mentions is Jewish), said, “It’s outrageous that the university is punishing us, students, instead of protecting us from aggressive foreign military agents on campus.”
“We’re a diverse group of Palestinian, black, Latino and Jewish students who attended the soldiers’ speaking event and asked critical questions,” he continued.
Students for Justice in Palestine is reportedly appealing the sanctions against the group and claims its members have been subjected to cyberbullying as a result from their actions.
In 2016, the group was issued a “written warning” until March 29, 2017 over their interruption of an event that May.
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