Aug. 26, 2024

The Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC) applauds the University of Minnesota Board of Regents for overwhelmingly adopting a resolution explicitly rejecting divestment from Israel.

In so doing, the Regents denied a core demand of the anti-Israel/pro-Hamas protestors who set up an encampment on Northrop Mall and inundated the campus community with slogans such as ‘Al -Qassam make us proud,’ ‘Glory to the Resistance,’ ‘Death to America,’ ‘Death to Zionists,’ and ‘from [G]aza to the [A]mericas, decolonization means attack!’

Additionally, as part of its resolution, the Regents wisely reserved divestment requests for only ‘rare circumstances’ where, among other elements, there is demonstrated ‘broad consensus within the University community and beyond’ in support.

This morning’s vote on divestment was preceded by remarks from President Rebecca Cunningham outlining the University’s ongoing policy on campus protests, graffiti, and encampments, as well as details of how they plan to deal with infractions of these policies. These are sound policies consistent with reasonable time, place, and manner limitations on free speech. The challenge, however, will be uniform enforcement of these policies which are consistent with the University’s Title VI obligations to prohibit discrimination against the UofM’s Jewish students.

The JCRC looks forward to partnering with Hillel, Chabad, and the University to ensure that the UofM continues to be a great place for Jewish students, faculty, and staff.