Attempt to block “Palestinian Voices” university course fails

An anti-Palestinian campus watchdog attempted to shut down a student-led course on the history of Palestine at the University of California at Riverside (UCR). But the university this week rebuked the group’s efforts and stated its commitment to academic freedom.

The Amcha Initiative spearheaded demands to have the UCR administration investigate the course.

Amcha has a history of obsessive attempts to silence criticism of Israeli policy and label supporters of Palestinians’ rights as anti-Semites.

Amcha claims that the course, titled “Palestinian Voices,” is “anti-Semitic,” has an “extreme anti-Israel bias” and “violates a UC policy prohibiting political indoctrination in the classroom.”

There were no complaints about the course filed by students or anyone related to the university.

In an emailed statement to The Electronic Intifada on Thursday, the vice chancellor of strategic communications for the university said that the administration does “not engage in debate” with everyone who criticizes the university for providing an arena for free speech.

Moreover, the university has conducted a thorough review of the course and has concluded that the claims are worthless.