An open letter to Vice Chancellor, Adam Habib.
4 March 2016
This week Wits University witnessed a blatant flouting of its rules and regulations by the Wits Palestinian Solidarity Committee (PSC). It also saw a flagrant interference by PSC supporters of a Jewish student involved in religious learning. In both cases the Wits administration has failed to take appropriate action, either in putting a stop to the illegal and provocative actions of the PSC or to protect the fundamental rights of Jewish students.
Resorting to shameless deception, the PSC occupied the Wits library lawns to run its anti-Israel program. This they did by booking the lawns on the false pretext of representing the orienteering society. When the deception was discovered and they were asked to remove their displays they refused to do so, openly defying the laws of this institution.
Incredibly, nothing has been done by the administration to compel the PSC to remove installations or to take action against those responsible. This sends out a message that, whereas all other student organisations are expected to abide by Wits’s basic code of conduct, the PSC can act with impunity. This is unacceptable to the South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS), as it undoubtedly is to the vast majority of the Wits community. The PSC has thumbed its nose at the Wits authorities. What is the university going to do about it?
Equally disquieting was the shocking harassment and intimidation directed against Jewish students who had come together to be addressed by a Johannesburg Rabbi. PSC supporters taunted and abused the participants and the Rabbi himself and on occasion physically disrupted the proceedings. Vice Chancellor, you have frequently given the assurance that at Wits university safe spaces for all its members to express themselves will be guaranteed. Why, then are Jewish students unable to gather and learn about their faith without being subjected to such crass acts of hostility.
This year, as in years gone by SAUJS has been scrupulous in its adherence to the university’s rules governing this yearly event. It has committed itself to working closely with the administration regarding its responses to the annual “Israel Apartheid Week”, in order to minimize confrontation and allow fair and equal debate to be conducted on campus. Regrettably by its weak, indecisive handling of on campus events this past week, Wits has completely failed to keep its side of the agreement.
It is unacceptable that the PSC should be allowed to benefit from its lawless and dishonest behaviour by its extending of the time allowed to it for its activities. Again we ask, what is the University going to do about it? We also ask in view of the PSC’s disregard for the basic rules of civilized engagement, what is Wits going to do to ensure that there will be no further unacceptable incidents when “Israel Apartheid Week” officially begins on Monday.
We support all forms of expression, constructive debate and discourse. This is why we run our Give Peace Wings Campaign annually, to give voice to the multiplicity of voices and opinions which would otherwise be unheard during “Israel Apartheid Week”.
We believed we were in alignment with the spirit and standards of the University, which has always expressed its support for those values of dialogue, equality and engagement which define South Africa. It seems we were mistaken. SAUJS can only hope that Wits will proceed as a matter of urgency to ensure the rights of all its students.
Sincerely,
The South African Union of Jewish Students.
Issued by the SAUJS, 4 March 2016IAW: The PSC has thumbed its nose at Wits – SAUJS
Organisation asks what VC Adam Habib is going to do about the group’s flagrant violation of the rules
An open letter to Vice Chancellor, Adam Habib.
4 March 2016
This week Wits University witnessed a blatant flouting of its rules and regulations by the Wits Palestinian Solidarity Committee (PSC). It also saw a flagrant interference by PSC supporters of a Jewish student involved in religious learning. In both cases the Wits administration has failed to take appropriate action, either in putting a stop to the illegal and provocative actions of the PSC or to protect the fundamental rights of Jewish students.
Resorting to shameless deception, the PSC occupied the Wits library lawns to run its anti-Israel program. This they did by booking the lawns on the false pretext of representing the orienteering society. When the deception was discovered and they were asked to remove their displays they refused to do so, openly defying the laws of this institution.
Incredibly, nothing has been done by the administration to compel the PSC to remove installations or to take action against those responsible. This sends out a message that, whereas all other student organisations are expected to abide by Wits’s basic code of conduct, the PSC can act with impunity. This is unacceptable to the South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS), as it undoubtedly is to the vast majority of the Wits community. The PSC has thumbed its nose at the Wits authorities. What is the university going to do about it?
Equally disquieting was the shocking harassment and intimidation directed against Jewish students who had come together to be addressed by a Johannesburg Rabbi. PSC supporters taunted and abused the participants and the Rabbi himself and on occasion physically disrupted the proceedings. Vice Chancellor, you have frequently given the assurance that at Wits university safe spaces for all its members to express themselves will be guaranteed. Why, then are Jewish students unable to gather and learn about their faith without being subjected to such crass acts of hostility.
This year, as in years gone by SAUJS has been scrupulous in its adherence to the university’s rules governing this yearly event. It has committed itself to working closely with the administration regarding its responses to the annual “Israel Apartheid Week”, in order to minimize confrontation and allow fair and equal debate to be conducted on campus. Regrettably by its weak, indecisive handling of on campus events this past week, Wits has completely failed to keep its side of the agreement.
It is unacceptable that the PSC should be allowed to benefit from its lawless and dishonest behaviour by its extending of the time allowed to it for its activities. Again we ask, what is the University going to do about it? We also ask in view of the PSC’s disregard for the basic rules of civilized engagement, what is Wits going to do to ensure that there will be no further unacceptable incidents when “Israel Apartheid Week” officially begins on Monday.
We support all forms of expression, constructive debate and discourse. This is why we run our Give Peace Wings Campaign annually, to give voice to the multiplicity of voices and opinions which would otherwise be unheard during “Israel Apartheid Week”.
We believed we were in alignment with the spirit and standards of the University, which has always expressed its support for those values of dialogue, equality and engagement which define South Africa. It seems we were mistaken. SAUJS can only hope that Wits will proceed as a matter of urgency to ensure the rights of all its students.
Sincerely,
The South African Union of Jewish Students.
Issued by the SAUJS, 4 March 2016
