UVA Has Been Facing This Issue Since 2023. It Still Hasn't Responded. President Beardsley, Will You?

Within days of the worst massacre, torture, and sexual violation of Jews since WWII which occurred on October 7, 2023, the UVA chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) began a well-organized and financed campaign of harassment and intimidation of the University’s Jewish community. This included masked demonstrations in support of a terrorist organization (Hamas), which violated sections of the laws of the Commonwealth, as well calling for the destruction of Israel which is in violation of the Commonwealth’s definition of antisemitism. Yet neither Jim Ryan’s administration nor Robert Hardie’s Board of Visitors ever condemned the events. This is well-documented in an article we previously published. SJP’s campaign of harassment and intimidation is not consistent with UVA’s statement on Free Expression and Free Inquiry which explicitly does not apply to expression “that violates the law” or amounts to “harassment” or “unlawful discrimination.”

Now, SJP is at it again by attacking the appointment of the Darden School’s new dean Yael Grushka-Cockayne. They have instigated a petition to remove her from her position for being an ex-IDF soldier.  Let’s be perfectly clear about this: our new dean is being threatened with removal from her new position solely because she is an Israeli, where universal military service is mandated with few exceptions. And let’s also be clear about the fact that a person’s national or ethnic origin is a protected class under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which is also reflected in UVA’s “Preventing and Addressing Discrimination and Harassment” handbook. The SJP is in essence demanding an employment action based on national origin.

SJP: Demand Darden Dean Grushka-Cockayne's Resignation - Action Network Petition

It’s also significant to note that SJP’s activities have been under scrutiny by the federal government since 2023, when their activities were reported by a student to the US Department of Education. A Title VI civil rights investigation was opened at UVA that December, and currently remains open. The fact that SJP is now calling for an action that could violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act is further evidence of their total disregard for the civil rights of members of the University community. 

It is time for the University’s administration to call out the SJP for their illegal, harassing and intimidating behavior. We all know this would not be tolerated by a UVA administration if such behavior had been directed against other protected classes, such as race or gender. Why are they not acting now? What other nationalities among our faculty and administration come from controversial nations–China, Russia, Syria, Iran, Cuba? Should they be banned from their positions? Furthermore, would any American university have dismissed a qualified candidate for a position because they were drafted during the Vietnam War and served in the US Army?

The Jefferson Council has said it before and we say it again: UVA should be a level playing field for civil and unfettered discourse. We are a community that should be fostering collegiality and camaraderie. Those members of our community who are so obviously attacking others solely on their religion and nationality should be condemned. This has nothing to do with freedom of expression. It has everything to do with harassment, intimidation, prejudice, and illegal behavior. President Beardsley, will you speak out-–or remain silent in the face of selective prejudicial behavior as your predecessor did?