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Is anti-Semitism a problem at Stanford? - Printable Version

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Re: Is anti-Semitism a problem at Stanford? - SUBuddha - 04-29-2015

BC-
I completely agree with your statement, the intent does not change the way the symbol is perceived.

Re: Is anti-Semitism a problem at Stanford? - terry - 04-29-2015

(04-28-2015, 02:17 PM)Ronnietrader link Wrote:The BDS movement's only goal is to end Israel as a Jewish state.  More than two-thirds of the student senate has implicitly signed on to that

A few points about divestment --

The Stanford undergraduate senate passed its divestment resolution only after it was amended to distance the senate from the BDS movement. This is from the Feb. 17 Stanford Daily: "Samuels, who, after voting against the resolution last week, abstained from this week’s vote, emphasized the fact that the amendment to the resolution separated the Senate from supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement." Given this context, I don't think it's fair to say the undergraduate senate "implicitly signed on to" the BDS movement.

I do not think support for divestment is the same thing as anti-Semitism. As others have noted, people can oppose some of the Israeli government's policies without being anti-Semitic.

Of course, the undergraduate senate has no authority to direct Stanford's investments. The trustees, who do have that authority, ignored the senate's divestment resolution.

Re: Is anti-Semitism a problem at Stanford? - Ronnietrader - 04-29-2015

Not only did the Board of Trustees ignore it (as it has been done at EVERY campus in the country where the students have passed such a measure), they effectively told them never to bring it up again.  To assuage their guilt, the ASSU "got rid of the B and the S and it's only about the D."  It was a nice try, but those who subscribe to the BDS movement, which is inherently antisemitic in its aim to eradicate Israel, celebrated "another victory," while those who oppose it were disheartened greatly.  As I argued earlier, what made the divestment campaign antisemitic was its targeted Israel when there are other nations not only around the planet but also the region that are far, far worse.  Simply ask yourself why is it that the lone Jewish state is brought up for such scrutiny.  The answer, for those like myself who is Jewish and for many others, is one that reeks of antisemitism.



Re: Is anti-Semitism a problem at Stanford? - stupac2 - 04-29-2015

(04-29-2015, 01:20 PM)Ronnietrader link Wrote:Not only did the Board of Trustees ignore it (as it has been done at EVERY campus in the country where the students have passed such a measure), they effectively told them never to bring it up again.  To assuage their guilt, the ASSU "got rid of the B and the S and it's only about the D."  It was a nice try, but those who subscribe to the BDS movement, which is inherently antisemitic in its aim to eradicate Israel, celebrated "another victory," while those who oppose it were disheartened greatly.  As I argued earlier, what made the divestment campaign antisemitic was its targeted Israel when there are other nations not only around the planet but also the region that are far, far worse.  Simply ask yourself why is it that the lone Jewish state is brought up for such scrutiny.  The answer, for those like myself who is Jewish and for many others, is one that reeks of antisemitism.

Maybe I'm missing something specific about BDS, but it's also possible to be antizionist without being antisemitic. (I'm using antizionist as meaning "against the idea of a solely Jewish state".)

Also, I think targeting Israel is unique in that they're virtual the only country who might care about what other countries think. Does anyone think that divestment from, say, Iran will get the Ayatollah to change his tune? I highly doubt it. But could divestment from Israel change the politics there? Seems entirely possible to me.

Re: Is anti-Semitism a problem at Stanford? - 2 for 2028 - 04-29-2015

I honestly don't know the details of these divestment actions (and would probably not be in favor of them), but people keep bringing up Iran and Syria and Yemen, etc. and it seems to just confuse the issue.  Is Stanford really invested in firms that support, e.g., Iranian nuclear ambitions, Assad's military, the Houthi rebels, etc, or simply have a connection with Iran, Syria and Yemen?  Is there a group of firms with questionable practices that Stanford groups are suggesting that Stanford divest from that would avoid this perception of "singling out"?  I wouldn't be surprised that groups are looking for divestment against Russia.

Re: Is anti-Semitism a problem at Stanford? - terry - 04-29-2015

(04-29-2015, 02:15 PM)2 for 2028 link Wrote:I honestly don't know the details of these divestment actions (and would probably not be in favor of them), but people keep bringing up Iran and Syria and Yemen, etc. and it seems to just confuse the issue.  Is Stanford really invested in firms that support, e.g., Iranian nuclear ambitions, Assad's military, the Houthi rebels, etc, or simply have a connection with Iran, Syria and Yemen?

The U.S. government has trade sanctions in place against Iran, Syria, and various groups in Yemen. It seems to me that there would be no point in Stanford considering divestment of companies doing business there, given that the government already has foreclosed such business activities.

Re: Is anti-Semitism a problem at Stanford? - CTcard - 04-29-2015

(04-29-2015, 02:43 PM)terry link Wrote:The U.S. government has trade sanctions in place against Iran, Syria, and various groups in Yemen.

And on Russia, though not nearly so complete as against these other countries.

In addition, there is a protest/divest from China movement over Tibet - though not quite as de rigueur at the moment.

Yes there is a set of Americans that hold Israel to a higher standard than they do some other countries in the region. It's possible to see that as anti-semitism. It's also possible to see that as a compliment. Higher standards come with higher past performance - at some level it should be what every country wants.

Re: Is anti-Semitism a problem at Stanford? - Ronnietrader - 04-29-2015

There is no real divestment campaign against Russian companies.  Moreover, there is not only a divestment campaign against Israel, but it's an obsession among those pushing for it. 

The companies being targeted are very mainstream - Hewlett-Packard/Caterpillar + a handful of others.  Divestment will not change Israel's policies - only a peaceful solution will do that.  Finally, divestment has not hurt Israel materially.  However, it can have much more grave consequences on the Palestinians for whom the movement is supposedly trying to help.  For example, Soda Stream is the poster child for BDS in that their primary factory is based in the West Bank.  The company employs 650 Palestinians at wages 10x+ of what they can get from the PA government AND get benefits like health insurance.  The company puts out Halal food for the breaking of Ramadan each night and has even said they will maintain the factory in the West Bank and pay taxes to the new Palestinian state when it is in place.  However, under pressure from BDS, the company has plans to move the factory to the Negev inside Israel proper thereby putting all of these Palestinians out of a job unless management can secure work permits for them.  Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority's leader and, in theory, partner for peace with Israel, has publicly REJECTED BDS and asked those in the movement to stop as it is hurting those they are trying to help. 

Re: Is anti-Semitism a problem at Stanford? - fullmetal - 04-29-2015

(04-28-2015, 03:07 PM)stupac2 link Wrote:[quote author=fullmetal link=topic=12033.msg117383#msg117383 date=1430251841]stupac2, I graduated a little before you, but hearing from campus administrators who are worried about the situation tells me that, at the very least, campus administrators are worried about the situation.  If you don't think this situation is any different from our era, then I don't know what to tell you.

I really don't see how that follows. It's very plausible that the same underlying reality has just received new attention/spin so that while nothing of substance has changed, the administrators (who are, in my experience, more worried about perceptions than realities anyway) are now worrying about ghosts.
[/quote]

If that's your opinion of the Stanford administration's ability to focus on campus priorities, then, as Tara said, I can't do anything for you. 

Re: Is anti-Semitism a problem at Stanford? - Rally - 04-29-2015

(04-29-2015, 02:58 PM)CTcard link Wrote:[quote author=terry link=topic=12033.msg117420#msg117420 date=1430343817]
The U.S. government has trade sanctions in place against Iran, Syria, and various groups in Yemen.

And on Russia, though not nearly so complete as against these other countries.

In addition, there is a protest/divest from China movement over Tibet - though not quite as de rigueur at the moment.

Yes there is a set of Americans that hold Israel to a higher standard than they do some other countries in the region. It's possible to see that as anti-semitism. It's also possible to see that as a compliment. Higher standards come with higher past performance - at some level it should be what every country wants.
[/quote]

Why stop with Syria, Iran and Yenen?  Which Arab country does not have human rights violations?  Hell, for that matter one (or more) UN group has included the U.S. In their list of human rights violators, and some in this country seem to agree.  Divest from the U.S.?  Honestly, some of this stuff is just childish.  I sat and listened to Phillip Lombardo urge us all to turn in our US saving bonds as a protest; like we HAD savings bonds. 

Re: Anti-Semitism on other campuses - Mick - 04-29-2015

(04-27-2015, 05:14 PM)terry link Wrote:[quote author=Mick link=topic=12033.msg117345#msg117345 date=1430178428]

If you're against Israel, you're anti-Semitic, ipso facto. 

What does "against Israel" mean?
[/quote]

I was being facetious in reference to the article.

Re: Is anti-Semitism a problem at Stanford? - Mick - 04-29-2015

(04-28-2015, 01:43 PM)teejers1 link Wrote:And separately, I view "hate crimes" as bad policy.  Punish the act(s), not what someone was supposedly thinking when engaged in the misconduct.   Seems straightforward to me, but then again, a lot of what I think is common-sensical is at odds with policy (or conventional wisdom or what have you).

Funny, I thought you were married, Teejers... :D ;)

Re: Is anti-Semitism a problem at Stanford? - PrinceLightfoot - 06-16-2015

Looks like Stanford is after a non-affiliated individual who they believe is responsible for anti-Semitic vandalism during the spring.

http://forward.com/news/breaking-news/310104/stanford-charges-non-student-with-anti-semitic-vandalism/