The following is from Audrey Jacobs, San Diego Regional Director of StandWithUs, and is reposted with permission:

Intimidation  and Bullying Tactics Trying to Silence Pro Israel Students and Professors
at Univ California San Diego

April 30, 2012 

  

San Diego, Calif....A photo featuring Ashton Shahyad Cohen, a Persian Jew and Associated Student campus-wide senator dressed in traditional Middle Eastern clothing at a costume party, drew criticism from Arab students of being offensive and an example of campus-wide racism at University of California San Diego (UCSD).  Cohen vehemently denies the libelous accusations as intimidation tactics to silence his political views.

Students for Justice in Palestine and Arab Student Union member Noor El-Annan was emailed the photo by a friend, posted it on her Facebook profile and commented in the front page of the Guardian newspaper "I was offended and disgusted that someone would think that's OK to wear to a party."

  

In stunning irony, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) members dressed up April 18, 2012 as Israeli soldiers in the center of campus and held a mock "Israeli Check Point" to portray a check point used by Israel in the West Bank to prevent terrorist attacks against civilians. "As a Jewish student I'm offended and disgusted that SJP students think it's OK to dress up as Israeli soldiers, physically and verbally harass students, and actively portray Israelis as aggressive and abusive." said Cohen.