University of Washington dismantles anti-Israel camp due to antisemitic graffiti
University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce has urged the removal of a pro-Palestinian encampment following the discovery of antisemitic graffiti on campus. Cauce described the graffiti as a deliberate tactic to pressure the university to meet protester demands, leading to her decision to dismantle the camp. The escalating situation prompted her call for the tents to be taken down. University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce has advocated for the removal of a pro-Palestinian encampment after antisemitic graffiti was found on campus. Cauce interpreted the graffiti as a strategic move to push the university to fulfill protester demands, resulting in her choice to disband the camp. The intensifying circumstances compelled her to request the removal of the tents.
University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce has called for the voluntary dismantling of a pro-Palestinian encampment after antisemitic graffiti was found across campus.
Cauce said the recent graffiti was “an intentional escalation to compel the University to agree to their [the protesters] demands.” The graffiti and escalating demands from the protesters, she said, prompted her call for the tents to come down.
“The situation now is untenable,” a statement from the university reads. “I’ll reiterate: The University’s response to students’ calls for change will not be based on an encampment — there are many ways for voices to be heard that don’t require tents, violent rhetoric and vandalism.”
According to the statement, students and faculty members found graffiti Wednesday that created “an unwelcome and fearful environment for many students, faculty and staff, especially those who are Jewish.”
University officials said they have engaged “sincerely and openly” with the anti-Israel protesters to hear their “escalating demands,” including “a new department that would have an ‘anti-Zionist’ litmus test for faculty hiring; granting a student group oversight of awarding new, religion-based University scholarships; and a blanket amnesty for all violations of the law and student code, including not solely camping, among other demands.”
“Many of these demands, especially the most recent, are contrary to academic freedom and/or to state or federal law,” the statement reads.
University officials also said they would not cut ties with Boeing, a Seattle-based company that has donated more than $100 million to the school.
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“We have been consistently clear we will not engage in an academic boycott of Israel or ‘cut all ties’ with Boeing,” the statement reads. “Both run counter to academic freedom, a core value of the academy.”
University officials did not say whether special security officers will be present for commencement, scheduled for June 8.
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