A notable Jewish figure in Hollywood has criticized a group of UCLA students who made “insane” anti-Semitic claims regarding an event featuring Hamas hostages.
Jay Sures, a University of California Regent and vice president at the United Talent Agency, issued a pointed letter on Friday expressing his “disgust and appall” towards the Undergraduate Student Association Council’s (USAC) condemnation of 23-year-old Omer Shem Tov, who endured 505 days as a Hamas prisoner. Sures argued that the focus on Shem Tov’s visit ignores broader state violence issues.
In the letter, Sures stated, “Like many university leaders, I am disgusted and appalled by the Board of Trustees’ recent statements condemning on-campus events featuring former Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov.” He added that instead of listening to a fellow student who has experienced unimaginable trauma, the council chose to reject his perspective entirely.
In a subsequent interview, Sures labeled USAC’s accusations against Shem Tov as “short-sighted and anti-Semitic, or possibly both.” He expressed disbelief that anyone could support a letter that criticized students who have been victims of prolonged captivity.
Mr. Sures highlighted the hypocrisy in USAC’s letter, which condemned Shem Tov’s visit while claiming to affirm the humanity of all affected by violence. The USAC letter stated, “While we affirm the humanity of all those affected by violence, we reject selective narrative construction that obscures the broader reality of ongoing state violence.”
Further unpacking this claim, Sures argued that Shem Tov does not represent the Israeli government but is a young student whose life was drastically changed when he was kidnapped with friends during a music festival.
He pointed out the contradiction in the USAC’s letter, emphasizing that while it expressed concern for “the alarming disregard for Palestinian lives,” it entirely overlooked the Israeli lives lost during the October 7 attacks, including friends of Shem Tov. It also failed to acknowledge the horrific actions by Hamas on that day.
Shem Tov spoke at UCLA on Holocaust Remembrance Day, April 14, during an event organized by UCLA Hillel. Following his speech, a letter from USAC claimed that “Only one story was uplifted” during his appearance.
UCLA defended Shem Tov’s presence, asserting that the event focused on resilience and respect for human rights, which aligns with the values of its community. USAC President Diego Boro mentioned he wasn’t present when the decision to condemn Shem Tov was made, stating the council member who initiated this action did so without input from another member who had supported Shem Tov’s visit. He noted that the letter was passed by a “slim majority.”
Boro admitted the situation reflected a failure in oversight and stated he would review the processes for drafting public statements moving forward. He maintained a commitment to protecting freedom of speech on campus, emphasizing that diverse perspectives should be welcomed.
Concluding his letter, Mr. Sures offered a suggestion for the USAC members involved, stating they could have gained valuable insights from hearing Shem Tov’s account but instead chose to turn away. He emphasized the need for open hearts and minds. Meanwhile, UCLA has faced increasing criticism amid ongoing protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
