UCLA Chancellor Gene Block also publically voiced his disapproval of the original ethics statement, writing in a campus-wide email on May 16,
Just because speech is constitutionally protected doesn’t mean that it is wise, fair or productive. I am troubled that the pledge sought to delegitimize educational trips offered by some organizations but not others. I am troubled that the pledge can reasonably be seen as trying to eliminate selected viewpoints from the discussion. I condemn any remarks on social media or elsewhere that are disrespectful or hurtful.
The same day, UC President Janet Napolitano released a statement voicing her opinion. She wrote,
I share Chancellor Block’s concerns about students at UCLA who target any student seeking to participate in student government who has a relationship with, or wants to travel to, Israel on trips sponsored by certain groups. At the University of California, freedom of speech is a highly valued principle. Yet, other principles are also highly valued, including the principles of civility, respect, and inclusion, and should also govern our campuses. The actions of these students at UCLA violate these principles.
I encourage members of the university community, at both UCLA and at the other nine campuses at this great educational institution, to come together, in open dialogue, to discuss the great issues of our day, learn from each other, and work to move our society forward. Harmful, hurtful speech by some hurts us all. We must work to “heed the better angels of our nature,” as Abraham Lincoln said. That is what the University of California really stands for.
Although the statements from Block and Napolitano come from a place of authority and objective distance from the warring student groups, many students are publicly showing their disagreement.
The Daily Bruin, UCLA’s main news source, finds itself the unsuspecting site of a war waged by op-ed submissions. Most notably, UCLA History Professor and Department Chair David Myers writes,
I reiterate my view that a pledge needlessly exacerbates an already inflamed situation. I think that there are better ways to get a sense of things in Israel and Palestine than on AIPAC or Hasbara Fellowships trips, but I don’t want to ban them—or, for that matter, any other trip offered to a student by a legally registered organization in the US to another country. This is not only a matter of free speech; it is also a case of blurring the boundaries of student government and international diplomacy. If one is truly concerned about promoting a balanced and sound view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I have a suggestion. Rather than outlaw trips by the targeted Jewish organizations, why not promote trips by the Olive Tree Initiative, the organization that is devoted to educating students about both Israel and Palestine through extensive exposure to the politics and culture of the two countries? I find that a much better and more sensible approach, one that encourages the requisite mix of empathy and criticism of the two sides in the Middle East and points us back to the sane center back at home.
As exemplified by Myers, the joint ethics statement is uniting people and groups with a wide range of political perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, since many can agree on calling the statement biased and purposefully singling out certain pro-Israel groups.
Outgoing BFI President Eshaghian commented,
It is definitely difficult to be a pro-Israel, Jewish student at UCLA right now. In the recent months, I have felt personally attacked by members of the UCLA community. Our campus climate has only grown more hostile. However, I find myself lucky to be able to call the pro-Israel and Jewish communities home at UCLA. I am lucky to have so much support from students with diverse backgrounds.
Naturally, there are those in favor of the statement who do not see it this way. Newly-elected USAC President Devin Murphy released a statement saying,
The Undergraduate Student Association Office of the President finds the Chancellor’s statement to be counterintuitive and a limitation on the free speech exercised by a number of student organizations on our campus, including Jewish Voice for Peace, Students for Justice in Palestine, Muslim Student Association, Samahang Pilipino, Armenian Students’ Association, MEChA de UCLA, and Afrikan Student Union.
The groups mentioned partook in the writing and dissemination of the joint ethics statement. Although it is the president’s job to lead by example and maintain a council table that is united rather than divided by slate politics, Murphy has chosen to alienate a portion of his constituency with his statement, which constitutes his first official act in office.
