Berkeley Holds Jewish Student Organizations Accountable as Israeli Attorney Revisits After Previous Visit’s Disruptions

Ran Bar-Yoshafat’s Eventful Return to Berkeley

BERKELEY, Calif.—The University of California, Berkeley was thrust⁣ into the spotlight this⁤ week as Israeli attorney Ran Bar-Yoshafat​ returned for ​a rescheduled talk, ⁣following one marred by ⁢violence from student protesters. The university originally claimed that insufficient notice from Jewish student groups prevented them from securing the event.

“We found out about the event⁤ a day before,” said Dan Mogulof, Berkeley’s vice chancellor of communications.⁤ “With only 24 hours’ notice, adequate security measures were a challenge.”

This controversy comes in the wake of criticism over the ‌university’s ​handling of last month’s ⁤anti-Semitic protest that witnessed a female Jewish student being choked and a male student spat upon while‌ attackers jeered​ hatefully.

Change in Security Measures

Responding to ⁢these events and bad press, ⁣Berkeley initiated a ⁢hate crime investigation, as Jewish student organizations extended another invitation to Bar-Yoshafat.‍ For his return, ​the university brought in private security and support from other UC campus law enforcement.

While those behind Bar-Yoshafat’s visit remained tight-lipped, Masha Merkulova, CEO of pro-Israel group Club Z, pointed out their announcement ⁣was made “weeks⁢ in advance,” highlighting‍ weak responses to past anti-Jewish protests. “This is a​ much-needed overhaul in protection for Jewish students,” she noted.

New Protocols Enacted

University policy ​typically requires a six-week lead time for significant events. Although Bar-Yoshafat’s ‍talk didn’t fit such criteria, ​increased security was⁢ clearly necessitated. “Despite less notice this time, we’ve stepped up, ensuring the talk proceeds safely,” Mogulof stated.

The measures taken meant relocating to a more secure venue, undisclosed until two hours prior, providing ‍a stark difference to the previous chaos that resulted in Bar-Yoshafat’s expedited ‍exit ⁣through an underground passageway.

A Peaceful Follow-Up

With the revised security, the lecture went smoothly, barring ‌a solitary heckler during the Q&A. Bar-Yoshafat expressed​ gratitude ⁣for the ‌heightened safety measures. “Ideally, one would hope such extensive security isn’t necessary,” he commented.

Despite peaceful‌ proceedings, the university’s student senate controversially opposed the attorney’s return, citing it as an intimidation ​tactic against pro-Palestinian students and allies. Student and Bears for Israel VP Sharon Knafelman, however, remains unwavering. “Intimidation won’t deter us,” she declared.