Student Alleges Anti-Semitism Taught in Arabic Language Class (UC Berkeley)

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[chance33_98]

Student Alleges Anti-Semitism Taught in Arabic Language Class

Students Defend Accused Graduate Student Instructor

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By REGINA CHEN Contributing Writer Friday, August 8, 2003

An Arabic-language student accused a UC Berkeley graduate student instructor Wednesday of teaching anti-Semitism.

UC Extension student Susanna Klein alleged that Near Eastern Studies graduate student instructor, Abbas Kadhim, said "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion," a document Nazis used as propaganda against the Jews, was written by Jews and was not a forgery, as many historians believe.

"The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" is a set of minutes printed in 1897 purportedly from a meeting of Jewish leaders intending to take over the world.

"By making such a statement, Mr. Kadhim spreads potentially dangerous anti-Semitic propaganda," Klein wrote in a letter to Ralph Hexter, executive dean of the College of Letters and Science.

Other students in Kadhim's Arabic language class disputed Klein's allegations, saying he was simply presenting a viewpoint held by many Iraqis.

"I was explaining the conventional wisdom of Iraqis in a social context," Kadhim said.

After the discussion about the document, Klein stormed out of the classroom, warning there would be repercussions for Kadhim, said Brid Beeler, a student in the class.

Klein immediately filed a complaint to the university on the same day, calling for an investigation into the matter and Kadhim's dismissal.

"I am disgusted that UC Berkeley is giving forum to an ignorant, anti-Semitic and prejudiced individual such as Mr. Khadhim (sic) to voice his views," Klein wrote.

Several other students in the class also submitted a complaint, about Klein, however, claiming she was disruptive and that she also accused classmates of being anti-Semitic on several occasions.

Klein is affiliated with DAFKA, a pro-Israel group on campus. In April, Klein was cited on suspicion of battery by UC police during a pro-Palestine rally.

Police said she dressed up as a suicide bomber and spat on a student during the rally, in which she said she felt threatened when she was physically restrained from walking through Sproul Plaza.

She appeared to be "extremely belligerent," wrote one student in the complaint to the chair of the Near Eastern Studies Department.

But peers described Klein as a brilliant student. She maintained an "A" in the course, and if she stays enrolled, she is on her way to a 100 percent in the class, Kadhim said.

The university has just begun to investigate the matter, Hexter said.

Hexter's division in the College of Letters and Science, Arts and Humanities, gets on average two or three complaints per year of the same nature as Klein's.

"Misunderstandings are often the root of these student concerns," Hexter said. "It's rare that the faculty or chairs can't resolve these matters."

The recently approved revisions to the university's Academic Freedom policy allowing more leniency for professors to express their personal and political views in class may apply in this issue, Hexter said.

But Hexter said the university needs to investigate the charges further before it can determine how the policy applies.

Klein could not be reached for comment.

[dts32041]

So what is wrong with dressing up as a homicide bomber, during a pro Pali rally, after all that is currently their princple cultural icon? Of course, that is followed closely by the rock thrwoing pali teen thug.

[TheCrusader]

Not to change the subject, but let's face it, sometimes even the truth brings the wrath of the fearful Jews down on people. Just ask Mel Gibson. Fact is, the attacks by some Jews on Mel Gibson's yet to be realeased movie could easily be deemed religious persecution. When the artistic expression of ones faith, based upon the four gospels, numerous epistles and secular historical accounts, (see Josephus' history of the Jews), brings down condemnations and abrasive accusations from a certain sector, somebody out there doesn't want the Truth to see the light of day.

[wideawake]

Not to change the subject, but let's face it, sometimes even the truth brings the wrath of the fearful Jews down on people.

You are changing the subject - unless you're suggesting that the Protocols of the Elders of Zion are "the truth."

[Uncle Hal]

I am shocked, I tell you, I am shocked.

[talleyman]

I cannot believe there could be any bias at UCB.

[Alouette]

Not to change the subject, but let's face it, sometimes even the truth brings the wrath of the fearful Jews down on people.

"Protocols of the Elders of Zion" is not truth.

[wideminded]

I was expecting to read about an anti-semitic professor, but on balance it looks like Klein is at fault here. She probably came to the class looking to start trouble as she seems to do elsewhere. The professor's error was in giving her an opening.

[mhking]

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[thegreatbeast]

A pox on both their houses!
This grad student was probably teaching anti-semitism in the course. That is de rigueur on any UC campus but at Berkeley it would be heresy NOT to be anti-zionist!
But Ms. Klein possesses a dangerous pugnaciousness. She is no more immune to harm than Rachel Corrie. It is one thing to be principled but quite another to be reckless.
We can just hope that this ends without serious incident.
What I got a kick out of is this:"The recently approved revisions to the university's Academic Freedom policy allowing more leniency for professors to express their personal and political views in class may apply in this issue, Hexter said."
This is a cute little move. The birthplace of the 'Free Speech Movement' has given up the last vestige of balanced, scholastic debate and now allows instructors to say ANYTHING regardless of its verity.