The University of California System has made the decision to ban boycotts against Israel, a move influenced by pressure from President Donald Trump and his administration, alongside the newly established anti-Semitism task force at the university.
Throughout the last two years, numerous campuses have implemented various boycotts, particularly in light of the surge in anti-Semitism following Hamas’ attacks on Israel, which led to the formation of so-called “camps.”
Earlier this year, the Trump administration revealed that a new anti-Semitism task force, headed by civil rights lawyer Leo Terrell, would investigate 10 universities, including a couple from the UC system. Just last week, Hermet Dillon, who leads the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Office, announced that an investigation into the entire UC system had commenced.
To preserve federal funding, UC is already taking steps in response. This indicates the Trump administration’s readiness to pull funding amidst ongoing disputes, particularly with Harvard.
It was reported on Wednesday that:
The University of California stated that the student government and all other “university entities” are now barred from boycotting Israel. This action is a direct result of the Trump administration’s directive that organizations engaging in such boycotts risk losing eligibility for federal medical and scientific research grants. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, UC President Michael Drake informed campus leaders that “boycotting companies based on their relationships with certain countries” violates university policy. While UC does not have anti-boycott regulations specific to books, Drake noted that current policies require competitive bidding for university contracts. Additionally, the campus student government is expected to adhere to “sound business practices” that comply with UC’s legal standards.
Anti-boycott directive letters are not applicable to student clubs. These clubs, being smaller and autonomous in nature, have a wider freedom concerning their political stances and financial choices. That said, the directive might influence certain vocational school governments, like law schools, where the student government is officially acknowledged as a “certified student government.”
The reason behind UC’s policy shift remains unclear, especially since boycotting Israel has already been deemed illegal under state law.
