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University of California Under Fire for Canceling Israel Event on Account of Hamas-Led Gaza Violence [Updated]

A University of California program for encouraging overseas studies is being criticized for cancelling an upcoming event celebrating students who have studied in Israel on account of the Hamas-led riots on its border with Israel, the Jewish Journal reported Thursday.

According to Jenny, a coordinator of a Kosher caterer that was supposed to cater the June 2 event, the event sponsored by UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) was cancelled because of the “increasing tension on the Gaza-Israel border,” and that, therefore, “we feel it would be inappropriate to host a celebratory event at this time.” Jenny was informed of the decision by an e-mail from the program’s director, Elizabeth Perl.

A similar message was posted at UCEAP’s page devoted to celebrating the 50th anniversary of the program in Israel. Two other events slated for later this year, appear to have been unaffected.

“It’s really upsetting that this would impact a wonderful event or decision as Israel is the only real democracy in the region and is doing everything in its power to prevent 40,000 rioters with meat cleavers/weapons who are sending burning flags – at least one emblazoned with the Nazi symbol- over the border to cause destruction and chaos with the SOLE mission to hurt/kill any Jew or Israeli in the way,” Jenny wrote in an e-mail to Perl asking her to reconsider. “I hope that as a rational, thinking person you can see this and also that a prestigious university official program and group this is counter-productive to peace and unity as well as to the furthering of understanding of issues impacting Israelis on a daily basis- including Arab citizens living peacefully in Israel.”

Perl has not responded to either Jenny, or to the Jewish Journal, which had also asked her for a comment.

However Rabbi Aaron Lerner, the executive director of UCLA’s Hillel informed the Jewish Journal that his organization plans to go on with the event. “We are working with American Friends of Hebrew University to continue with the celebration regardless of UCEAP’s involvement,” Lerner wrote to the Journal. “The event will proceed in spite of political grandstanding.”

Following extensive outside pressure, the university announced the reception at UCLA marking 50 years of educational partnership with Hebrew University on the originally scheduled date, June 2, will take place.

[Photo: jojolae / Flickr]