Statement: Time to confront vicious antisemitism at UC Berkeley and beyond

The following statement was issued by Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett and Annette Lantos:

The late Congressman Tom Lantos would be appalled to know what is happening at his Alma mater UC Berkeley, with nine law student groups amending their bylaws to ensure that they will never invite any speakers that support Israel or Zionism. This sickening display of antisemitism codifies discrimination against Jewish voices and silences viewpoints based on religious and cultural affiliation. It is almost unthinkable that this should be happening at Berkeley in the 21st century – but shockingly, we continue to see similarly blatant displays of antisemitism on college campuses across the country.

As the only survivor of the Holocaust ever elected to the US Congress, Tom understood better than most how central Zionism and the survival of a safe and strong Israel is to both the identity and continued existence of the Jewish people. The establishment of Israel was the fulfillment of the millennia-long prophesied dream of the Jewish people around the world, but it is also their ultimate protection against a repeat of the Holocaust.

It is long past time for leaders in every field of endeavor – especially academia – to confront the naked and vicious antisemitism in their midst. They must use every means at their disposal to protect the Jewish members of their community from such blatant discrimination and to vigilantly enforce their rules designed to ensure equal protection to all. Failure to do so will irreparably harm their institutions and bring dishonor to those who allow such hateful discrimination to stand. Moreover, it will make an utter mockery of the freedom of thought and expression, and the exploration of many varied viewpoints, that such institutions espouse and claim to encourage.

When Tom passed away in 2008, it was his wish that we donate the archive of his papers to UC Berkeley’s Bancroft Library. At the time, this seemed like a natural home for the Tom Lantos archive, given his close association with and affinity for the institution. However, we have to ask ourselves whether Tom might feel differently in light of UC Berkeley’s unwillingness to honestly and boldly confront the problem of antisemitism that it has allowed to grow and flourish on its campus, virtually unchecked, in recent years. We hope that this latest episode will, indeed, mark the beginning of the tide turning, but we will certainly be watching closely to ensure that Tom’s archive is in the hands of a university that believes in and upholds the principles and values to which he dedicated his life.

Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett

President, Lantos Foundation

Daughter of Tom Lantos

Annette Lantos

Chair Emeritus, Lantos Foundation

Holocaust survivor and wife of Tom Lantos

Is the Tide at Berkeley Beginning to Turn?” by Kenneth L. Marcus in Jewish Journal