(JEWISH GROUP) UC Irvine Student Government Removes Language Mentioning Modern Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial in IHRD

[Behind the Aegis]

UC Irvine Student Government Removes Language Mentioning Modern Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial in IHRD Resolution

In the leadup to International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is Tuesday, Jan. 27, two Jewish students at UC Irvine brought forth a resolution to the Associated Students at UC Irvine – ASUCI, the student government – which included statements on modern antisemitism and Holocaust denial. Hillel, Chabad, AEPi, Anteater Jewish Alliance, and the Center for Jewish Studies at UC Irvine sponsored the resolution, which said, “the world continues to witness a troubling rise in antisemitism, Holocaust denial, hate speech, and violence, both globally and within local communities, which reinforces the urgent need for education, historical understanding, and active resistance to all forms of discrimination.”

However, the original version of the resolution didn’t pass. Instead, in a unanimous vote of 22-0-0, the ASUCI passed a version that was amended to remove the two students who co-sponsored it, along with all the organizations listed. It also removed mention of modern antisemitism and Holocaust denial.

“Holocaust Remembrance Day is not political,” read a joint statement from Hillel at UCI, Chabad at UCI Student Leaders, Alpha Epsilon Pi, and Zeta Tau. “It is moral, educational, and a reminder of a time that should never be repeated. ASUCI’s decision to delay and dilute legislation recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day erased Jewish student authorship, removed essential educational resources, and ignored the voices of all campus Jewish organizations. This failure to listen to Jewish students undermines remembrance, education, and inclusion.”

The statement also mentioned how Hillel at UCI, Chabad at UCI, and Alpha Epsilon Pi, three Jewish organizations on campus, “explicitly informed ASUCI that this revised legislation did not have our support. Despite this, the ASUCI Senate proceeded to pass the legislation unanimously. Put plainly, ASUCI has failed to listen to and represent its Jewish students.”

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