As someone who believes in both free speech and student safety, I am deeply concerned about the upcoming SFSU event glorifying PFLP terrorist Leila Khaled.
The normalization of violence and hate is extremely dangerous for Jewish students, Israeli students, and their allies at SFSU. I appreciate that you issued a statement condemning antisemitism and terrorism in general terms. However SFSU has a responsibility to go much further, by directly condemning this event and following up with concrete action to address systemic antisemitic and anti-Zionist hostility on campus.
I add my name in support of SFSU students and SF Hillel, who have called on you to:
1. Commit university funds to host an educational speaker series focusing on antisemitism, Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts and activism, and an holistic understanding of Zionism.
2. Create and publicize a process that allows students to report a wider scope of incidents in which they experience hostility or marginalization due to their Jewish identity and/or connection to Israel.
3. Train and educate all staff in the Division of Equity & Community Inclusion about rising antisemitism, antisemitic forms of anti-Zionism, and the full diversity of the Jewish community.
4. Fill the position of Jewish Student Life Coordinator with a qualified, dedicated leader.
It is long past time for SFSU to dismantle the systemic antisemitism Jewish students have faced for far too long at SFSU. I urge you to put politics aside and do the right thing.
Ilan Ilan
