Rutgers Jewish students turned away from anti-Zionist event

Rutgers Jewish students turned away from anti-Zionist event

Jewish students at Rutgers University and their supporters reportedly were barred from a campus event sponsored by anti-Zionist groups.

Rutgers campus police on Saturday night prevented some 400 Jewish students and their supporters, including Holocaust survivors, from a program called “Never Again for Anyone,” the WordlNetDaily online newspaper reported.

The student-sponsored event was organized by three national organizations: the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, Americans for Muslims in Palestine and the Middle East Children’s Alliance, according to the report. It was endorsed by BAKA: Students United For Middle Eastern Justice, as well as humanitarian, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, Greek life and anti-racist student organizations at the university, according to the Rutgers student newspaper, The Daily Targum.

A letter by BAKA published in the student newspaper Jan. 27 invited all members of the campus community to the event.

The campus police were asked to limit attendance to supporters of the program after it became clear the audience would be outnumbered 4 to 1 by the Jewish students, according to the report.

The Jewish students turned away from the event reportedly gathered in the lobby of the building where the program was being held and sang Hebrew songs.

“Never Again for Anyone” is billed as a nationwide tour “to honor those who perished in the Holocaust by upholding the human rights inherent to all people — and particularly for Palestinians living under Israel’s occupation.” At least 14 programs in 11 cities are planned through the end of February.

JTA Wire Service

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