University of South Florida divests from companies doing business with Israel

USF Hillel in a January 22nd, 2016 press release states:

USF Hillel is saddened by the Student Senate decision to pass a resolution calling for the University Foundation to divest from companies that do business in Israel.

It must be known however, that this resolution does not reflect in any way the values of the University Administration, the vast majority of USF Faculty and Staff, nor the vast majority of USF students. This resolution does not reflect the values of USF of mutual respect, inclusivity and pluralism.

There is a wonderfully robust relationship between USF and Israel through many academic and research institutions across the country. We are proud that USF students can study abroad at any university in Israel and get full USF credit. We are proud that the USF Medical School’s Center for Advanced Medical Learning & Simulation (C.A.M.L.S.) uses cutting-edge Israeli technology. We are proud that academic partnerships exist between many USF faculty members and faculty of Israeli colleges and universities. There is so much to be proud of when it comes to USF and Israel!

This non-binding resolution was brought forward by a block of students in the Student Senate who used USF Students’ goodwill and lack of information, to demonize the only Democratic Society in the Middle East. What USF student would not sign a petition in the name of Dr. Martin Luther King, calling on the University to have a policy of ethical investing? What USF student would not want to stop funding companies involved in human rights violations?

In reality the divestment resolution is part of the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movements (BDS) which seeks to isolate Jews and anyone who supports Israel on campus through misinformation and intimidation. This is a “Goliath” organization which is well-financed and highly sophisticated. We at Hillel are fully supporting Israel and, as always, advancing our mission of providing safe, positive and meaningful Jewish experiences for our students. What we need from our parents, alumni and local community is funding to support the training of as many Student Israel Advocates at USF as possible at $1,500 each for a year. Even a $36 check from every member of our community would allow us to build a strong cadre of knowledgeable, capable student Israel Advocates who would be willing and able to deal with anti-Israel activity on many fronts. We could also use funding to bring in pro-Israel speakers and programming.

USF Hillel stands by our statement that this resolution, while passed under the guise of concern for human rights, is nothing more than a very clever and cynical manipulation of the truth. Yet once you get beyond the “Whereas and Wherefores” of the resolution, the resolution states that the only human rights violator on the entire planet worthy of mention and divestment is Israel. The resolution does not see fit to mention the human rights violations of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen, Egypt, The Palestinian Authority, Hamas, Lebanon, Afghanistan, China, Russia or a score of other countries…Only Israel. That is a double standard; and THAT…Is anti-Semitism. The Goal of the international BDS movement is to demonize, delegitimize and ultimately destroy the State of Israel, the only Jewish State in the world; and THAT…is Anti-Semitism. Let us be clear: USF is not anti-Semitic. However, the global BDS movement which sponsored and supported this resolution is.

This is historical fact: The Land of Israel has been the homeland of the Jewish People for more than 3,000 years. We also recognize however, that Palestinians have been on the land for hundreds of years and also consider it their home.

USF Hillel is Pro-Israel, Pro-Palestine and Pro-Peace. We hope for a solution to the conflict which will see the establishment of Two States for Two Peoples: An Independent Arab State of Palestine alongside the Jewish State of Israel. The Road to Peace is not paved with Boycotts, Divestments, Sanctions, Demonization or Terrorism. The road to peace will be carved out of mutual recognition and acceptance.

USF Hillel is proud to be part of the University of South Florida. We are proud of our Jewish students. We are proud of the great achievements that President Genshaft has made leading our university. We are proud of the growth of vibrant Jewish life on campus, and we WILL continue to be a positive force for the entire USF Community. And…we hope to see many, many more Jewish students enroll at and receive their diploma from USF. Go Bulls!

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *