A Berkeley professor moved into his office for a “sit-in” after accusing the Northern California school of being “incompetent to make difficult and important decisions” regarding anti-Semitism on campus, according to reports.
Professor Ron Hasner, the school’s Helen Diller Family Chair in Israel Studies, brought a sleeping bag into his office Thursday after writing a letter to UC President Carol Crist and Chancellor Benjamin Hamelin.
“If students don’t feel safe walking across campus without being bullied, I won’t walk across campus either,” Hassner wrote, according to Northern California Jewish News.
“Perhaps by doing this, by giving students hope and showing them that someone cares, the door is open, the light is on in the window, come on, let’s talk. , I think we may be able to avoid the next disaster.”
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Berkeley professor Ron Hasner has moved into his office and is holding a “sit-in” against anti-Semitism. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
In a separate letter to students posted on X by Los Angeles-based Dr. Afshain Emrani, Hasner said he would be teaching all classes on Zoom from now on until the campus is safe from anti-Semitism. He encouraged his colleagues to do the same. He told Jewish News that so far eight colleagues have agreed to start classes on Zoom to support him.
“I will remain in office until we take the necessary steps to prevent violence between students,” he added. “I teach, eat, and sleep in my office. My office is open every weekday and weekend for all students who don’t feel safe or are experiencing anti-Semitic abuse. Also open at night. Or anyone you want to chat with.
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“We also keep lights on in our office windows so that every student walking down Bancroft Avenue can see at least one faculty member sleeping just as badly as they do. Masu.”
Pro-Palestinian protesters gather in People’s Park in Berkeley, near campus, in January. (Teyfan Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Berkeley and other campuses have been targets of anti-Semitic attacks since the war began in October when Hamas launched unprovoked attacks against Israel.
Hassner added: “In contrast to recent protests, my protests are non-confrontational, non-violent and lawful.” “It will be easy to ignore, especially in the first few weeks until visitors and the media find me and my office in a fairly disorganized state. It will become increasingly embarrassing to publicly demonstrate one’s inability to make decisions.” ”
UC Berkeley students walk through Sather Gate on the UC Berkeley campus on April 17, 2007 in Berkeley, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
In a letter to the administration, Hassner said in a letter to the administration that parents are planning to march on Monday toward the school’s Southergate, which has been blocked by pro-Palestinian protesters for a month. He said he was “deeply afraid” of planned protests by pro-Israel students. news.
In October, Hassner and the school’s Middle East studies professor wrote in a joint letter to students that while they “strongly disagree,” they still treat each other with “respect and dignity,” and that they were “heartbroken after hearing about the incident.” It hurts,” he said. “In recent days, there has been an outbreak of violence among students. We will not tolerate students hurting each other.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Barkley and Hasner for comment.
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The school told Jewish News: “We remain committed to fostering an environment where freedom of speech is strongly protected and where all members of our community feel able to live out campus life without fear of harassment. “We are dedicated to confronting Judaism and have appointed professors.” I have great respect for Mr. Hassner and am in the process of discussing his concerns with him.”
