UC Santa Cruz postpones its anti-Israel bash

Cross-posted by Gary Fouse
fousesquawk



UC Santa Cruz mascot (It's a banana slug)


Reference is made to my March 3 posting entitled, "The Bias at UC Santa Cruz" which described this week's forum dedicated to bashing Israel. Strangely, it has been postponed until further notice. Reason? One of the featured speakers has reportedly cancelled his or her engagement.

"EVENT CANCELED - Rescheduled Date TBD

Understanding Gaza, a student-initiated event originally scheduled
for 3/5 at College Nine and College Ten, has been canceled due to
the schedule of our primary speaker.

Further information will be forthcoming. Please spread the word.
Our apologies for any inconvenience.

Wendy Baxter
ACAO, Cocurricular and College Programs
College Ten: Social Justice and Community
College Nine: International and Global Perspectives
University of California, Santa Cruz
1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064"

Here's my reaction: There were two featured speakers, both anti-Israel. If one of them bowed out, seems to me UCSC could have easily dug up another Israel-basher from its own faculty to step in. Was there another reason? Was UCSC receiving complaints beyond those already registered by professor Ilan Benjamin?

If the latter was a reason, I would not applaud the idea of censorship. However, I do applaud the idea of an awakened public holding a university's feet to the fire and demanding a more balanced approach to issues-especially as they affect the education of our children. At any rate, that is all hypothetical since the university has given a different reason for its postponement. (It's rather difficult to penetrate those hallowed halls of ivy, you know.)

"Go Banana Slugs"